Darling: Last days will define independence debate

Scottish independence: Alistair Darling said today that the last few days of the independence debate will be seen historically as the “defining” part of the referendum campaign.

Alistair Darling meets with members of the public at the Piecebox cafe in Polwarth. Picture: Hemedia

Mr Darling, the leader of the No campaign, said claims that an independent Scotland would be prevented from joining the EU and sharing the Pound had “shot right at the heart of the credibility” of Alex Salmond.

The former chancellor made the claims during a campaign visit in Edinburgh today, when he met business owners, credit union representatives and supporters of the anti-independence Better Together campaign.

Mr Darling’s latest intervention came after European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso cast doubt on Scotland’s membership of the EU in the event of a Yes vote in the referendum on 18 September.

The Labour MP’s claims also came after Chancellor George Osborne said a vote for independence meant walking away from the pound.

Mr Darling said: “The last few days will be seen as the defining part of the campaign as they have shot right at the heart of the credibility of Alex Salmond.”