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| Scottish independence: Australian PM warns against Yes vote | Scottish independence: Australian PM warns against Yes vote |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Australian PM has warned against Scottish independence, saying it is "hard to see how the world would be helped by an independent Scotland". | The Australian PM has warned against Scottish independence, saying it is "hard to see how the world would be helped by an independent Scotland". |
| Those who would like to see the UK break up were "not the friends of justice... [or] freedom", Tony Abbott told the Times while visiting London. | Those who would like to see the UK break up were "not the friends of justice... [or] freedom", Tony Abbott told the Times while visiting London. |
| He said the nations who would "cheer" the prospect were "not the countries whose company one would like to keep". | He said the nations who would "cheer" the prospect were "not the countries whose company one would like to keep". |
| Voters in Scotland will go to the polls on 18 September. | Voters in Scotland will go to the polls on 18 September. |
| They will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" | They will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" |
| The Scottish government believes the 300-year-old union is no longer fit for purpose, but the UK government opposes the move, saying Britain is one of the world's most successful unions. | The Scottish government believes the 300-year-old union is no longer fit for purpose, but the UK government opposes the move, saying Britain is one of the world's most successful unions. |
| 'Most outspoken' | 'Most outspoken' |
| Mr Abbott told the Times: "What the Scots do is a matter for the Scots and not for a moment do I presume to tell Scottish voters which way they should vote. | |
| "But as a friend of Britain, as an observer from afar, it's hard to see how the world would be helped by an independent Scotland. | |
| "I think that the people who would like to see the break-up of the United Kingdom are not the friends of justice, the friends of freedom, and the countries that would cheer at the prospect... are not the countries whose company one would like to keep." | |
| US President Barack Obama and Chinese premier Li Keqiang have previously voiced support for the UK. | US President Barack Obama and Chinese premier Li Keqiang have previously voiced support for the UK. |
| Mr Obama said last month that the US had a "deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner", while Mr Li said he wanted to see a "united United Kingdom" on a visit to Downing Street. | Mr Obama said last month that the US had a "deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner", while Mr Li said he wanted to see a "united United Kingdom" on a visit to Downing Street. |
| BBC Scotland political correspondent Glenn Campbell said Mr Abbott's comments were the most outspoken of any international leader on the forthcoming referendum. | BBC Scotland political correspondent Glenn Campbell said Mr Abbott's comments were the most outspoken of any international leader on the forthcoming referendum. |
| Mr Abbott also held talks with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on the subject of the Ukraine crisis and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 during his visit earlier this week. | Mr Abbott also held talks with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on the subject of the Ukraine crisis and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 during his visit earlier this week. |