THE former deputy prime minister of Poland has appealed to tens of thousands of eastern Europeans to vote against "a la carte independence".
Jacek Rostowski, the London-born economist and ex-Polish finance minister whose son is studying at Glasgow University, said Scottish independence could have a broader impact and "dismembering the UK would further destabilise an already-dangerous situation in Europe".
He said in a letter to the Financial Times: "It would be bad for the UK, bad for Poland, bad for freedom and democracy in Europe, and bad for Scotland.
"Tens of thousands of Poles will have the right to vote in the referendum.
"I would appeal to them to reject the folly of dismemberment of one of Poland's closest allies.
"The same applies to Lithuanians, Latvians and other EU citizens resident in Scotland. They all have the vote in this referendum, and we shall all be less secure if irresponsibility triumphs. Just as a la carte membership of the EU is impossible, so is a la carte independence."
The Polish population in Scotland, up from 2,500 in 2001 to about 55,000 recently, is the largest modern immigrant group to this country and a significant block of potential votes.
A spokesman for the Polish for Yes campaign said: "An independent Scotland will be a good global citizen, and we will be a force for good in Europe.
"Citizens of the EU play an important and valued part in Scottish life and are an integral part of our society. The only threat to their future here comes from staying under the Westminster system."
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