IT was a threat in French, a threat in German and a threat in Spanish.

But not English.

Continental newspapers summed up George Osborne's promise to veto a currency union as an act of menace.

"London threatens Scotland with monetary split," announced Le Monde.

Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine said the threats came from "English politicians". Russian news wire Lenta claimed Britain would "ban" Scotland from using the pound.

Spain's El Munro said: "Edinburgh has threatened not to pay its debt if it can't use Sterling. It added: "The three big UK parties have made common cause in saying they would prevent Scotland from continuing to use their currency if it goes independent."

The Catalan daily La Vanguardia headlined on Nicola Sturgeon saying "It's our currency as much as it is theirs".