A second independence referendum could cause more instability than Brexit, a Glasgow academic has claimed.

Professor Jim Gallagher, who was appointed as an adviser to Better Together in 2014, made the comments in an article for the Daily Record newspaper.

The Glasgow University professor has warned against a "divisive" second referendum after the First Minister said it was "highly likely" she will hold one following the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

Gallagher said: "Brexit has divided Britain with nearly half the country - including Scotland, Northern Ireland and London - resentfully on the losing side.

"Referendums polarise issues and people. I suspect that's why most Scots don't think the right response to Brexit is another independence referendum.

"It could leave us in an even more unstable and uncertain position than Britain is in today and, whatever the result, it would still leave Scotland split down the middle.

"That's what 'winner takes all' referendums do - divide people".

Gallagher served as the UK Government's most senior civil servant on devolution before retiring in 2010.

The academic believes leaving the EU could transfer powers to Holyrood which are currently held in Europe.

Gallagher argues the Scottish Government should gain total responsibility over "agriculture, fisheries and the environment".

He also said the Scottish Government will have "more clout" to manage immigration differently than the whole of the UK.

Former justice minister Michael Gove said immigration could be devolved to the Scottish Parliament while he was campaigning for Vote Leave during the EU referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "fib and a half".

The UK Government has so far not announced any plans to devolve any aspects of immigration policy to the Scottish Parliament.