A FORMER Labour first minister declares today that he will back Scottish independence if the UK votes to leave the EU against Scottish wishes — and believes Brexit would lead to the break-up of Britain.

Henry McLeish, who argued against independence in the 2014 referendum campaign, said that as a pro-European he would rather Scotland became a new member of the EU than remain in a UK that broke away following David Cameron’s forthcoming referendum.

Polls have consistently shown greater levels of support in Scotland than in England for remaining in the EU and Nicola Sturgeon has signalled that a second independence referendum could be trigged if a majority of voters in England back withdrawal while most in Scotland vote to stay in.

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