Warning independent Scotland could end up £9 billion in red

Scotland could end up £9 billion in the red under independence more than double the White Paper on independence’s estimation, according to the leader of the No campaign.

Alistair Darling accused the Scottish Government of “misleading” Scots as he delivered his breakdown of the finances provided in Scotland’s Future: Your Guide To An Independent Scotland.

The Scottish Government described Mr Darling as “rattled” as it defended the paper.

Better Together’s analysis of the paper says the SNP administration’s projected deficit could be doubled from a best case scenario of £4.3 billion to a black hole of £9 billion.

Mr Darling accused the Government of “stretching credulity” by ignoring the possibility of increased debt interest payments and oil revenues and complained about the paper’s financial projections being confined to a single table.

A spokesman for Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon questioned Mr Darling’s calculations relating to tax raising and abolition of the “bedroom tax”.

He added: “Alistair Darling’s rattled and feeble response to the White Paper says it all: the No campaign are rapidly running out of ideas and have nothing positive to say.”