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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hillary Clinton: I would hate Britain to lose Scotland | Hillary Clinton: I would hate Britain to lose Scotland |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hillary Clinton has become the latest powerful figure to intervene on the independence debate, saying she would hate Britain to lose Scotland. | Hillary Clinton has become the latest powerful figure to intervene on the independence debate, saying she would hate Britain to lose Scotland. |
| The former US secretary of state said she believed a yes vote would be a loss for both sides and she hoped that did not happen. | The former US secretary of state said she believed a yes vote would be a loss for both sides and she hoped that did not happen. |
| Clinton, who is on a tour to promote her memoir, Hard Choices, and is widely believed to be preparing for a presidential run in 2016, also indicated she was keen for Britain to remain part of the European Union. | Clinton, who is on a tour to promote her memoir, Hard Choices, and is widely believed to be preparing for a presidential run in 2016, also indicated she was keen for Britain to remain part of the European Union. |
| "I would hate to have you lose Scotland," she told BBC2's Newsnight. "I hope that it doesn't happen but I don't have a vote in Scotland. But I would hope it doesn't happen. | "I would hate to have you lose Scotland," she told BBC2's Newsnight. "I hope that it doesn't happen but I don't have a vote in Scotland. But I would hope it doesn't happen. |
| "I would think it would be a loss for both sides but, again, I don't have a vote." | "I would think it would be a loss for both sides but, again, I don't have a vote." |
| Clinton insisted the "special relationship" between Britain and the US was "worth everything to me and to our country. I do think we see the world very similarly." | Clinton insisted the "special relationship" between Britain and the US was "worth everything to me and to our country. I do think we see the world very similarly." |
| Asked if Britain's standing would be enhanced or diminished in the US if it left the EU, she replied: "Oh, boy you are asking me to cross into dangerous waters, which I will not do." | Asked if Britain's standing would be enhanced or diminished in the US if it left the EU, she replied: "Oh, boy you are asking me to cross into dangerous waters, which I will not do." |
| She added: "Europe needs Britain, in my opinion. I think Britain brings a perspective and an experience that is very important to Europe, especially post-economic crisis. So, Britain will have to decide if they agree with that." | She added: "Europe needs Britain, in my opinion. I think Britain brings a perspective and an experience that is very important to Europe, especially post-economic crisis. So, Britain will have to decide if they agree with that." |
| Alex Salmond said Clinton was entitled to her views, adding that, "as she rightly points out, the referendum is a matter for the people of Scotland". | |
| The Scottish first minister added: "Mrs Clinton's observations are quite interesting in that she infers Britain will 'lose Scotland' after a yes vote. This reflects reports that David Cameron has said he doesn't want to 'lose' Scotland, likening it to George III losing the United States. | |
| "But, unlike that period in American history - when independence was only gained through conflict - we are deeply fortunate in that we have the opportunity to secure our nation's independence in a profoundly democratic way, as president Obama and John Kerry, Mrs Clinton's successor as Secretary of State, have acknowledged." | |
| Salmond continued: "In any case, Scotland is not a property to be lost but a nation about to take a precious and consensual and democratic decision. | |
| "An independent Scotland will be a friend and ally to our neighbours in the rest of the UK as well as to our friends in the United States of America." | |
| Clinton's intervention on the Scottish referendum debate comes just one week after Barack Obama said he believed that the UK appeared to have "worked pretty well". | |
| A Better Together spokesman said: "Hillary Clinton is a figure who is respected right across the world. Like President Obama, she understands that the UK is at its strongest when it works together. She has said 'no thanks' to [Scottish National party leader] Alex Salmond's attempts to divide the people of Britain. We are grateful for her support." | A Better Together spokesman said: "Hillary Clinton is a figure who is respected right across the world. Like President Obama, she understands that the UK is at its strongest when it works together. She has said 'no thanks' to [Scottish National party leader] Alex Salmond's attempts to divide the people of Britain. We are grateful for her support." |