UK breakup would damage influence – Hague
The breakup of the United Kingdom would damage the influence of its constituent parts abroad, the Foreign Secretary has said.
But William Hague told the Joint Security Strategy Committee that the part of the UK that left would suffer more than the remainder.
His comments will be seen to be alluding the upcoming Scottish independence referendum.
"It would be damaging to some extent, of the ability of the United Kingdom, of all its component parts, including the part that was no longer in the United Kingdom, to achieve the enhanced or maintained influence."
The Foreign Secretary said the biggest loss would be to Scotland, though he did not mention the country by name.
"It would be particular damaging towards the part that was no longer a part of the United Kingdom,” he asserted.