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Scots referendum triggers fears of Spain breakaway

UK DIPLOMATS are working behind the scenes to dampen down concern in Europe that Scotland's independence debate could trigger breakaway movements across the continent.

Confidential communciations reveal the British ambassador in Madrid has been confronted with mounting fears in Spain that the 2014 referendum in Scotland will spark demands for similar polls in Catalonia and the Basque Country.

The documents show UK ministers have been briefed to reassure their Spanish counterparts that Scotland's constitutional question is quite different from those of Spain's minority nations and regions.