Scotland independence vote could turn into Greek tragedy, warns MP

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will seek permission to hold a second referendum 'to protect Scottish interests' in the wake of the UK voting to leave the EU.

Labour MP Pat McFadden – himself a proud Scot – has criticised the SNP for backtracking on a pledge made during the last Scottish independence referendum in 2014.

And Tory Michael Fabricant warned of financial misery for the Scots, comparing their economy to Greece.

Ms Sturgeon said she will ask the Scottish Parliament next week to request an order from Westminster to trigger the referendum, with her preference for a vote to be held between the autumn of 2018 and spring 2019.

Glasgow-born Wolverhampton South East MP Mr McFadden said: "I am opposed to the break-up of the UK.

"The SNP told us that the 2014 referendum was a 'once in a generation' decision. Now they have gone back on that.

"However, we should be clear that the Brexit decision has brought this back on the agenda.

"I and many others predicted the worrying possibility of the break up of the UK during the EU referendum campaign last year."

Lichfield's Tory MP Michael Fabricant said: "This is yet another blank shot across the bows from Nicola Sturgeon.

"She knows that Scotland's weak economy – with a bigger deficit than Greece – is one of the many reasons why the opinion polls show she would lose again.

"She must be pricking her Brexit voodoo doll vigorously, hoping that something will go wrong."

Scottish voters rejected independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent in September 2014.

Scotland voted by 62 per cent to 38 per cent to remain in the EU, while the UK as a whole voted to leave.