A political poll found that 28 percent of people approved of the Scottish First Minister, with 38 percent disapproving. Ms Sturgeon's score fell by five points in a week to -10, meaning Ms Sturgeon is now below Tory rival Boris Johnson (-6).

       The SNP leader is also behind Chancellor Rishi Sunak (+19) but ahead of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (-18).

       It comes as Ms Sturgeon said she cannot "completely rule out" reimposing coronavirus restrictions as Scotland hit its worst ever number of cases recorded in 24 hours.

       The First Minister said Scotland recorded 10 coronavirus-linked deaths and 4,323 cases in the past 24 hours.

       Speaking at a Scottish Government coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh yesterday, she said the daily case figure is "the largest we have ever recorded in a single day" but highlighted more testing now takes place than in the early stages of the pandemic.

       Ms Sturgeon said new cases in Scotland have more than doubled in the past week, making this "one of the sharpest rises we have experienced at any point during the pandemic".

       Redfield & Winton Strategies, who carry out a weekly poll of 2,000 people across the UK, said of the survey "Lowest net approval rating for Sturgeon that we have recorded."

       Ms Sturgeon's approval ratings hit a high of +22 in Redfield & Winton's polling last September but have been falling steadily ever since.

       The SNP-led Scottish Government has also attempted to show Scots the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled effectively by launching a judge-led public inquiry.

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       A draft of aims and principles for the inquiry was published on Tuesday, with members of the public invited to comment until September 30.

       The Scottish First Minister said of the inquiry: "I can confirm it will be established by the end of this year, as promised, and it will take a person-centred, human rights-based approach."

       A cooperation deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens which would see two Green MSPs become Government ministers was also announced on Friday.

       But Stephen Kerr MSP, Scottish Conservative Chief Whip, said: "It is little wonder Nicola Sturgeon's approval ratings appear to be on the wane.

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       "She's had to rely on the extremist Greens to drum up support for another divisive independence referendum after failing to win a majority.

       "More and more hardworking families are going to be punished as a result of Nicola Sturgeon cosying up to her nationalist allies.

       "A coalition of chaos has been formed, all in the name of pursuing indyref2, which will only damage Scotland's recovery."

       Redfield and Wilton sampled 2,000 Brits on August 23rd.