Democracy campaigners have called for greater public consultation on the next stage of Scottish devolution amid claims it is being stitched up by politicians "behind closed doors".

Half of Scotland is talking about the powers Scotland could gain, according to a YouGov poll of 1,110 adults between September 7 and 10 for the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Scotland.

It found 50% of people have discussed the Scotland Bill with family, friends, work colleagues, neighbours and even strangers, although it has not had the same level of engagement as the 94% who discussed the independence referendum.

However, ERS Scotland has complained the public "are being denied the chance" to participate in the devolution debate.

Willie Sullivan, director of ERS Scotland, said: "Scots are keen to talk about devolution. We owe our re-engaged citizens a voice in the discussion.

"The record levels of participation in the referendum debate were praised by all parties and yet Scotland's citizens are being locked out of the devolution discussions.

"The referendum campaign taught us how to do politics differently - but we aren't using that learning.

"The Smith Commission and the Scotland Bill have taken discussions about devolution back behind closed doors when they could and should be inclusive and participatory. The public clearly want to be part of this debate yet are being denied the chance.

"It is essential that both the Westminster and Holyrood governments, and all political parties, take the devolution discussion to the Scottish people."

The call comes after leading political commentator Professor John Curtice suggested unionists may want to consider another devolution referendum to secure decisive support for the Scotland Bill and end the ongoing manoeuvring towards independence.

The Smith Agreement on devolution was drawn up in private by nine politicians, with 407 submissions from civic bodies and 18,381 submissions from members of the public.

The Scotland Bill was subsequently drawn up by the former Conservative-Liberal Democrat UK Government and is currently being scrutinised by Westminster and Holyrood committees which have invited submissions from members of the public.

The UK Government has not accepted any opposition amendments to the Scotland Bill and could use its majority to force it through unamended, but the SNP could subsequently use its own majority at Holyrood to refuse legislative consent for the Bill at the risk of also rejecting the powers the Bill does deliver.