A FOREIGN Office department ostensibly set up to promote the Scottish Government's interests is being used against it in the independence referendum, diplomatic cables have revealed.
The Devolution Unit, created by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 2012 to deliver abroad the "utmost co-operation", appears to be at the heart of Westminster's anti-independence drive.
It is understood the FCO has contacted the governments of China, Russia, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the 28 EU nations about the Scottish referendum in a global search for allies.
Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said: "It's a disgrace that the Prime Minister is breaking his word, encouraging foreign interventions."
A Westminster source said the SNP's attack was "frankly quite ludicrous", as Alex Salmond was in regular touch with other governments.
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