SCOTLAND should beware the economic woes of small states like Cyprus and Iceland and think twice before leaving the UK, according to the New York Times.

In an editorial opinion column, the American paper claimed that, since the 1707 Union, Scotland had "benefited disproportionately from the spoils of the British Empire". It added: "Looking at the financial woes of small, independent European states Scottish voters may want to think twice about going it alone."

Kevin Pringle, the SNP's communications chief, has written to the paper, pointing out Scotland's GDP per head "places us eighth in the OECD league table of wealthy nations – the United Kingdom is 17th".