Scots ‘will have to vote twice on independence’

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said that a referendum on the principle of independence could only be advisory
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said that a referendum on the principle of independence could only be advisory
JAMES GLOSSOP FOR THE TIMES

Scots would have to vote “Yes” in two separate referendums before the country became independent, a member of David Cameron’s Cabinet warned yesterday.

The highly-controversial view was put forward by Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary, in a move that immediately opened up a new front in the ongoing constitutional hostilities between the SNP Scottish Government in Edinburgh and David Cameron’s coalition Government in London.

At a briefing for journalists at his Edinburgh office, Mr Moore said that a referendum organised by Alex Salmond’s administration on the principle of independence could only be advisory.

While a “Yes” vote would inevitably lead to negotiations on the terms of an independence settlement, a second “binding” plebiscite, organised by the Government in London, would have to be held to