Alex Salmond says Brexit will lead to second Scottish independence referendum

Brexit would trigger a new Scottish independence referendum, former SNP leader Alex Salmond has insisted.

The comments appear in contrast to Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's stance that she is only interested in campaigning for a Remain vote and will not speculate on possible political repercussions of Brexit.

Asked if Brexit would lead to a second independence referendum, Mr Salmond said: "If Scotland has voted Remain, then I believe it would, yes."

Speaking at a Daily Telegraph/Huffington Post online debate, Mr Salmond then quoted the SNP manifesto for last month's Holyrood elections which stated that the parliament should have the right to hold a new referendum if a UK poll saw Scotland taken out of the EU "against her will".

"You don't know the result of a referendum in advance, but what we do know is that the SNP stood on that manifesto in last month's election and got 47% of the vote in Scotland.

"Now, this referendum we are having just now was held by David Cameron on a mandate of 37% of the vote.

"So, it would have to go through the Scottish Parliament. It would have to be a Remain vote in Scotland, accompanying a Brexit elsewhere, but under these circumstances, the answer to your question is yes," Mr Salmond said.

Former London mayor and prominent Leave campaigner Boris Johnson insisted Scottish independence, like the EU vote, should be a "once in a generation" referendum event.

"I think that Alex needs to have a word with the First Minister of Scotland, I don't know what his authority is over Nicola Sturgeon.

"She was very interesting on that point the other night. Nicola was given the opportunity, really repeatedly, to say what Alex has just said and she refused.

"And I think that is because she realises there is no appetite in Scotland, whatsoever, for a new referendum. People have voted on it.

"Politicians are paid to take important decisions, they should not regularly remit fundamental questions to people in this way," Mr Johnson said.

In reply to being asked what authority he had over Ms Sturgeon, Mr Salmond replied: "None".

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The EU referendum debate has so far been characterised by bias, distortion and exaggeration. So until 23 June we we’re running a series of question and answer features that explain the most important issues in a detailed, dispassionate way to help inform your decision.

What is Brexit and why are we having an EU referendum?

Will we gain or lose rights by leaving the European Union?

What will happen to immigration if there's Brexit?

Will Brexit make the UK more or less safe?

Will the UK benefit from being released from EU laws?

Will leaving the EU save taxpayers money and mean more money for the NHS?

What will Brexit do to UK trade?

How Brexit will affect British tourism

What will Brexit mean for British tourists booking holidays in the EU?

Will Brexit help or damage the environment?

Will Brexit mean that Europeans have to leave the UK?

What will Brexit mean for British expats?

PA