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Scottish independence: Australian PM Tony Abbott says Yes vote 'would not help world' Scottish independence: Australian PM Tony Abbott says Yes vote 'would not help world'
(about 2 hours later)
The Australian PM has said it is "hard to see how the world would be helped by an independent Scotland".The Australian PM has said it is "hard to see how the world would be helped by an independent Scotland".
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, those who would like to see the UK break up were "not the friends of justice... [or] freedom", .
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".
A spokesman for Yes Scotland said: "Independence seems to be working well for Australia." Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said Mr Abbott's comments were "hypocritical, foolish and offensive".
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.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."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.""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."
A spokesman for Yes Scotland, which is campaigning for independence, said: "These comments have echoes of Lord George Robertson's "forces of darkness" speech in April which was widely ridiculed, even by No supporters, as one of the anti-independence campaign's most outlandish scare stories. Mr Salmond told BBC Scotland: "Mr Abbott's comments are hypocritical because independence does not seem to have done Australia any harm.
"The decision about Scotland's future is one for the people of Scotland to make - a point that even David Cameron asserts. After a Yes vote, Scotland will take her place as a normal and valued member of the international community - just as Australia did when she gained independence at the turn of the century." "They are foolish, actually, because of the way he said it. To say the people of Scotland who supported independence weren't friends of freedom of justice, I mean, the independence process is about freedom and justice."
A spokesman for Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Tony Abbott has a reputation for gaffes, but his bewildering comments have all the hallmarks of one of the Westminster government's international briefings against Scotland." The first minister said Scotland's referendum on independence was a "model of democratic conduct" and Mr Abbott's comments were "offensive to the Scottish people".
He added: "Scotland's referendum is a model of democracy, which has been cited as such internationally, including by the US Secretary of State. An independent Scotland will be a beacon for fairness, justice and cooperation in the international community - and a great friend of Australia." Mr Salmond said the Australia prime minister was "notoriously gaffe-prone" and he had "put his foot right in it" with his comments.
He added: "If it does anything it will persuade people to vote Yes because the natural reaction to this sort of nonsense is 'Who is Mr Abbott to lecture Scots on freedom and justice?'"
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.
Phil Mercer, BBC News, Sydney, AustraliaPhil Mercer, BBC News, Sydney, Australia
It could be part of Australia's efforts to flex its diplomatic muscle.It could be part of Australia's efforts to flex its diplomatic muscle.
Australia is now a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and it seems to be asserting its new role as an influential middle power.Australia is now a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and it seems to be asserting its new role as an influential middle power.
It was able, for example, to secure safe passage to eastern Ukraine for Dutch, Australian and Malaysian investigators following the shooting down of MH17.It was able, for example, to secure safe passage to eastern Ukraine for Dutch, Australian and Malaysian investigators following the shooting down of MH17.
Mr Abbott, after the plane went down, really did lead the international charge in accusing the Russians of probably giving the rebels that sort of sophisticated weaponry.Mr Abbott, after the plane went down, really did lead the international charge in accusing the Russians of probably giving the rebels that sort of sophisticated weaponry.
So in recent weeks we have seen Australia flexing those diplomatic muscles and this fits in with Mr Abbott's comments today.So in recent weeks we have seen Australia flexing those diplomatic muscles and this fits in with Mr Abbott's comments today.
I would imagine that many Australians will regard Mr Abbott as trying to meddle in another country's affairs. There was a caveat to his comments in the Times, he said that what the people of Scotland do is a matter for them and he did say that he didn't presume to tell people how to vote.I would imagine that many Australians will regard Mr Abbott as trying to meddle in another country's affairs. There was a caveat to his comments in the Times, he said that what the people of Scotland do is a matter for them and he did say that he didn't presume to tell people how to vote.
It is not the first time that the prime minister of Australia has courted controversy in recent times.It is not the first time that the prime minister of Australia has courted controversy in recent times.