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Westminster vows not to block SNP independence vote

THE UK Government last night gave the green light to a referendum on Scottish independence, conceding Alex Salmond has "the majority and the authority" to ask whether to break up Britain.

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon meet the SNP's newly-elected MSPs outside the Parliament building yesterday  Photograph: Steve Cox
Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon meet the SNP's newly-elected MSPs outside the Parliament building yesterday Photograph: Steve Cox

Michael Moore, the Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary, said the Westminster Coalition would not put up any obstacles to a referendum, or try to stage a rival referendum on its own terms in the hope of securing a No vote.