Tony Blair: Brexit will lead to Scottish independence

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said a vote to leave the EU in the in/out referendum will lead to a second independence referendum in Scotland which will lead to a break-up of the UK.

The former prime minister said the consequences of leaving the European Union would be “extremely serious for the UK, not only in terms of Europe but also internally”.

In an interview with France’s Europe1, Mr Blair said: “In my opinion, if the UK votes to leave Europe, Scotland will vote to leave the UK.”

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and others prominent in the SNP have frequently warned a leave vote could trigger a second independence referendum.

In December Conservative peer William Hague warned that if Britain voted to leave, Scotland would “jump at the chance” to call another independence referendum, and this time “the vote would be too close to call”.

David Cameron is currently seeking to reach a deal on a reform package for next month’s European Council.

His predecessor predicted Mr Cameron was “going to get his demands”, describing the renegotiation as “an opportunity for Europe to make the necessary reforms”.

A referendum could be called as early as June, and Mr Blair said it was “always possible” that Britain could vote to leave.

But asked if he thought the outcome would be to stay, he said: “I hope yes, I think yes.”