Scottish independence: Wrangle may delay vote until 2015

The referendum could take place as late as 2015, amid wrangling over the question that will appear on the ballot paper, it was reported yesterday.

The UK government insists it must be a straight Yes-No question on independence. But First Minister Alex Salmond wants a third option on more powers for Holyrood to remain on the table.

A series of meetings had been planned between the SNP leader and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore aimed at resolving the stalemate. But only one meeting has been held, with no further talks planned.

Unless a deal is reached by October, there are concerns that it could scupper the SNP’s timetable of 2014, because a bill to devolve legal powers must go through both parliaments.

A UK government source said: “The longer the prevarication goes on, the more their own timetable looks in jeopardy.”