Alex Salmond has said that Britain leaving the European Union could trigger a Scottish independence referendum within two years.
Speaking to the AFP, the former SNP First Minister of Scotland said: "I think the referendum will be a damn close-run thing."
"Nicola Sturgeon said if we get dragged out of Europe against our will that would be the change in material circumstances that could lead to another referendum.
"So I think if that circumstance came about there will be an out referendum, it will occur within the two years period."
The SNP won a third term of government in Scotland earlier this month on a manifesto that allows for an independence referendum to be called "if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people" or if there is a "significant and material change"" in circumstances.
Scotland leaving the European Union against the wishes of its voters could fulfil the second condition.
Salmond, who is now a Westminster MP, also called on Prime Minister David Cameron to make a less "negative" case for staying in the EU.
"The right campaign in order to engender the enthusiasm of Europe is to say: this is what we think Europe should be doing. This is the Europe we can build, the Europe we can seek," he said.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Josh is a staff writer covering Europe, including politics, policy, immigration and more.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
