Voters are scared of backing UKIP publicly due to SNP intimidation, David Coburn claims.

The MEP, who is aiming to become the party's first MSP at the Holyrood election, made the claim on the campaign trail on Tuesday. Coburn said that the electorate is "frightened" by the SNP and that is why the opinion polls indicate Scotland will vote to stay in the European Union.

Coburn said: "That's all SNP blather and havers. It depends what you ask people, opinion polls depend on the questions.

"I don't think it's true, most people in Scotland are frightened of saying what they actually believe because the SNP will close your business down, the SNP will make sure you don't get planning permission. That's what they fear, whether it's true or not I can't say but I can tell you one thing, that's what people fear.

"When I knock on the door and ask people are you going to vote Ukip, are you for Brexit, they look left and right and say 'Yes we're going to vote for you but don't tell anybody'. Now that's terrifying in a nation where that's the case."

The SNP said that this was the latest in a "conveyor belt of ill-considered comments" from Coburn.

A party spokesperson said: "EU membership brings many benefits to Scotland in terms of jobs, investment, social and employment protections and collective security - and it allows us to come together with other countries to tackle issues such as climate change, energy security and the refugee crisis.

"Every opinion poll shows that Nigel Farage's campaign to drag us out of Europe is falling completely flat in Scotland - and the conveyor belt of ill-considered comments from his man in Scotland David Coburn are doing little to help the Leave campaign's popularity."

Coburn's comments were also  dismissed by Scottish Labour.

A party spokesperson said: "Voters can see right through David Coburn's divisive politics. People all across Scotland overwhelmingly support remaining in the EU. Labour is Scotland's internationalist party and we will be campaigning strongly to remain in the EU.

"There is a positive socialist case about the protection of workers' rights - including maternity and paternity rights - and thousands of jobs through the EU that we will continue to make."

The Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Greens and the Scottish Conservatives have been approached for comment.