Tony Blair: I fear for Union's future

The former prime minister warned the break-up of the UK is now “back on the table”, but that he does not want Scotland to become independent.

In a speech in London for Open Britain, which is campaigning against a so-called “hard Brexit” outside the European single market, Mr Blair called on pro-Europeans to “rise up” and persuade Leave voters to change their minds in the face of a Conservative government pursing “Brexit at any cost”.

He said: “In addition to all this, there is the possibility of the break-up of the UK, narrowly avoided by the result of the Scottish referendum, but now back on the table, but this time with a context much more credible for the independence case.”

Questioned following the speech, he added: “I want Scotland to remain in the UK. Even if Brexit goes ahead, I’m still in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK.

“Let’s be very clear, Scotland’s single market with England is of far greater importance to it economically than Scotland’s interaction with the rest of Europe.

“When myself and John Major warned this would be a threat to the UK we meant it, and it was true, and you can see that by the referendum coming back on the agenda.”

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said another independence referendum is “almost inevitable” in the event of a hard Brexit.

Labour, Tories and the Lib Dems all criticised Mr Blair’s speechclaims of credibility but the SNP said his comments “reflect the reality”.