DOWNING Street has declined to comment on suggestions that David Cameron encouraged Barack Obama to speak out against Scottish independence.
It has been claimed that the US President made his controversial remarks after an "informal request" from No 10.
Asked if there had indeed been any prior communication on the subject ahead of Mr Obama's supportive statement, the Prime Minister's spokesman replied: "The President was answering a question that was put to him."
At a joint UK-US press conference at the G7 summit in Brussels, Mr Obama made clear America had a "deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner", adding that "ultimately these are decisions that are to be made by the folks there".
The No camp seized on the former remarks, in particular the word "united", as supporting the fight to keep Scotland within the UK while the Yes camp emphasised the latter, stressing that the US President was acknowledging Scotland's future was a matter for Scots.
Mr Cameron responded by saying: "There are many people around the world who look at the family of nations that is the United Kingdom and admire what we have achieved together and hope that we stay together."
Mr Obama's words came just hours after other foreign interventions. Carl Bildt, the Swedish Foreign Minister, warned that independence would lead to the Balkanisation of Britain and "unforeseen chain reactions" while last week Martin Lindegaard, the Danish Foreign Minister, suggested the SNP Government's desired fast-track EU membership for an independent Scotland was unfeasible.
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