Nation could be kicked out of UK, says Wilson

SCOTLAND could be kicked out of the UK if it blocks a leave vote in the EU referendum, a former leader of the SNP has said.

Gordon Wilson predicted a “constitutional crisis” if a narrow exit vote south of the Border is countered by a strong “remain” vote in Scotland that polls consistently predict.

He raised the prospect of a referendum in England over whether to dissolve the UK which he claimed may force Scotland to become independent regardless of whether the public wants to remain in the Union.

Mr Wilson, who led the SNP for 11 years until Alex Salmond succeeded him in 1990, said that Scots had so far viewed the issue through “tartan glasses”.

He said: “Nothing has been said of what could happen if England is forced to stay in Europe because of Scottish votes after the English have voted to leave.

“What will be the reaction in England if the crucial decision of staying is taken by the minor partner, Scotland, against the wishes of the major partner – with over 85 per cent of the UK population?

“They will certainly be aggrieved. It may provoke a constitutional crisis with English folk quite rightly wanting to hold a referendum to dissolve the UK so that they can control their own destiny. And given the precedent of the Scottish vote, they will have every moral and constitutional right to do so.”

Mr Wilson admitted in January that he was still considering how to vote in the EU referendum, saying the scenario would be an undignified way to win autonomy but “independence is independence and we shall just have to make the best of it”.