Scottish independence 'a threat to safety and security'

Scotland will not take lessons from Philip Hammond, SNP defence spokesman said, after the Defence Secretary told the Conservative Party Conference that independence poses a threat to both levels of safety and security. Angus Robertson said:

Read: Hammond: Scottish independence 'threat to security'

Independence poses a threat to both levels of safety and security and the future of defence jobs in Scotland, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has told the Conservative Party conference.

Addressing the party's Scottish conference in Edinburgh, with just over six months to go until the referendum, Mr Hammond said the Scottish Government's defence plans under independence are not credible.

"A separate Scotland could not hope to develop the same level of protection and resilience," Mr Hammond said.

"Whether it's the range of military capabilities; the strength of our geopolitical influence; or the number of domestic defence jobs we are able to sustain, it is absolutely clear that replicating the UK's level of safety and security [...] under a separate Scotland is probably impossible."

Read: Scots could gain tax powers if it rejects independence

The Scottish Parliament could gain more power over tax if voters reject independence, the Prime Minister has said.

A No vote on September 18 is "not the end of line" for devolution, David Cameron told the Scottish Conservative party conference in Edinburgh.

He insisted that he and Scottish party leader Ruth Davidson want devolution to "work better".

Mr Cameron said:

Prime Minister David Cameron has been accused of attempting to "bribe the people of Scotland into voting No" in the referendum with "talk of more powers" while offering "no firm proposals".

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Mr Cameron's address at the Scottish Conservative party conference had "torn up any prospect of a meaningful offer of further powers to Scotland, confirming that a No vote offers no firm proposals".

She added: "In a speech that contained half-hearted, vague suggestions of what might happen, Cameron's reluctance to commit to anything spoke volumes.

"Indeed, the only reason the Tories are even talking about more powers is to attempt to bribe the people of Scotland into voting No - but it is unravelling fast."

David Cameron has said his promise to make devolution work better for Scotland is not a consolation prize for Alex Salmond if the nation votes to stay as part of the UK.

Mr Cameron was addressing his Scottish party members at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

David Cameron has condemned Scottish nationalists as "wrong and irresponsible" for dismissing warnings about the political consequences of the upcoming referendum as a "south of the border conspiracy".

Addressing the Scottish Conservative party conference, the Prime Minister said the warnings about an independent Scotland's currency and place in Europe were necessary with citizens ready to make a "major life changing decision".

Speaking at the opening of of the Scottish Conservative party's spring conference in Edinburgh, the prime minister is expected to say the referendum is "a major life decision" that shouldn't be made without knowing the full consequences.

He is expected to add:

Read: PM to tackle 'scaremongering' over Scotland

David Cameron will focus on his fight to keep Scotland in the UK as he opens the Scottish Conservative party conference later today.

He is due in Edinburgh, where he will draw on recent interventions from major businesses, such as BP and Shell, in the referendum debate.

Read: Bullish Salmond says he is not prepared for a 'No' vote

Mr Cameron will attempt to tackle accusations of "scaremongering" over the country's future, saying he wants to "take that myth apart".