A series of tweets from News International chairman Rupert Murdoch suggest the media tycoon is leaning toward supporting the bid for Scottish independence in advance of the referendum next week.

Murdoch, who has previously been described as having "a close relationship" with Scottish Nationalist Party leader Alex Salmond, said on Twitter that the poll this week showing the "Yes" campaign ahead "reflects worldwide disillusion with political leaders and old establishments."

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Bigger problem! Wrestling with Scottish vote. Scottish Sun No. 1. Head over heart, or just maybe both lead to same conclusion.

— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 10, 2014

Scots better people than to be dependants of London. Hard choice with real pain for some time. Maybe too much.

— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 10, 2014

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Scottish edition of the Sun newspaper, owned by Murdoch, condemned the "No" campaign, prompting speculation that it will back Scottish independence, the Press Gazette reported.

"The pro-Unionist parties are starting to sound as insulting as they are inept," the editorial board wrote.

The newspaper has so far stopped short of making a declaration either way on its position on the referendum.

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