Vote for Scottish independence would make 'UK more vulnerable to terror attack'

The letter said: "A vote for separation would undermine both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom's defence.

Senior military figures penned an open letter claiming England, Wales and Scotland's defences would be compromised if the Yes campaign is successful.

The former armed forces chiefs insisted a No vote in the Scottish referendum ballots tomorrow is "critical for all our security".

The letter said: "A vote for separation would undermine both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom's defence.

"The division of the UK may or may not be politically or economically sensible, but in military terms we are clear: it will weaken us all."

A vote for separation would undermine both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom's defence

The letter

The cautionary note, published in The Sun today, also dismissed Alex Salmond's plan for a Scottish defence force as "fiction".

They added that while Scottish independence may be economically a good idea it would clearly "weaken us all".

The military figures said: "As former Chiefs of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, we know it is fiction to talk about regional Armed Forces.

"We train as one, fight as one and are under one command. We are not, and have never been, structured for division." 

Mr Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, dismissed the open letter and said independence was supported by other figures in the armed forces.

He said 102-year-old Desert Rat veteran Jimmy Sinclair and retired lieutenant commander Colin May, who served at the Faslane base, backed the Yes campaign.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was a "whole range of other people who have served this country coming out in favour of a Yes vote".

Mr Salmond said: "With due respect to General Dannatt, Jimmy Sinclair, the 102-year-old Desert Rat veteran, didn't serve for him, they served for the Queen and for democracy."

He also said that those attending the ballots tomorrow should instead listen to the words of soldiers who are currently serving.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader added: "You can believe in democracy and independence for Scotland and be a loyal soldier."

The letter is signed by seven ex-Chiefs of Defence Staff - Lords Boyce, Guthrie, Inge, Vincent, Stirrup, Craig and Richards.

Three former First Sea Lords have also put their name to it - Lord West, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope and Admiral Sir Jonathan Band.

Ex-army heads Lord Dannatt, General Sir Mike Jackson and General Sir Roger Wheeler along with former RAF boss Sir Richard Johns also signed the letter.