Former Tory Chancellor Ken Clarke has claimed Scotland's independence referendum created more uncertainty than it solved.
The comments by one of David Cameron's former ministers came just a day after Alex Salmond predicted there would be a second vote.
The former First Minister and ex-SNP leader predicted : "I think we would win if there was another referendum."
Mr Cameron has insisted that the September's referendum was decisive and settled the issue of Scottish independence for a generation.
But speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme Mr Clarke appeared less convinced.
He praised the levels of voter engagement seen in Scotland in the weeks running up to the referendum poll.
But he added that while the debate had been "remarkable" - "the outcome has created more uncertainty than it solved".
Mr Salmond has previously said that in his opinion the independence referendum was a "once in a generation opportunity".
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie criticised his comments over the weekend that there could be a second vote, saying: "The former First Minister has broken his word to the Scottish people.
"It beggars belief that within weeks of losing the last referendum, he is boasting of a victory in the next one."
Mr Clarke also said that pro-Europeans had to "organise themselves properly" to defeat the "silly" arguments for leaving the EU.
The long-time supporter of the EU also warned that there was a "real risk" of the UK leaving the organisation.
Mr Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on EU membership in 2017 if he wins next year's general election.
The Tory leader has also said that he wants to ensure that the UK remains in a reformed EU.
However, he has toughened his language in recent weeks to suggest he could back an exit unless Brussels gives in to his demands.
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