SCOTTISH independence is "back on the table again" because of Brexit, Tony Blair has said.
The former Labour prime minister gave a speech in London on Brexit and the General Election and said Boris Johnson's deal - where Northern Ireland remains more closely aligned to the European Union than the rest of the EU - added "an additional dimension" to the case for independence.
Speaking to a Reuters Newsmakers event on Monday morning, Blair said: "I don't think campaigning for an independent Scotland is extreme. I just don't agree with it.
"I think the United Kingdom is stronger if we're all together, I think Scotland is better off inside the UK.
"But, you know, Brexit has put it back on the table again. This part of the other problem, I'm afraid, is that you've got a situation with Northern Ireland which is very tricky if the Johnson deal goes forward.
"You've got a situation where obviously the Scottish nationalists now have an additional dimension to their argument.
"I still don't agree with it, but, you know, they're going to be saying: 'You've allowed Northern Ireland to stay inside the single market, why aren't we allowed to, we also voted heavily against Brexit?'"
Blair also said a Labour majority government, as well as a Tory majority government, "pose a risk" to the UK.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel