Jeremy Corbyn urges Scotland to keep independence out of Brexit vote

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn conceded that former Prime Minister John Major "may be right" after his warning that a vote to leave the European Union (EU) could "tear apart the UK." Urging Scots to put thoughts of a second independence referendum to one side, he said it was important to "decide how you are going to vote on 23 June."

Corbyn, who was campaigning in Aberdeen said the Scottish National Party (SNP) "would want to promote" another independence referendum.

SNP leader and Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has repeatedly called for the UK to remain part of the EU, while claiming that a Brexit vote would trigger another poll on the country's future

But Corbyn said "we should not get into that debate at the present time." The important thing, he said, "is to decide how you are going to vote on 23 June."

He said: "I hope people will vote for what they want on June 23, and decide whether they wish to be part of the European Union or not on the basis of solidarity with people across the continent."

His lukewarm statement will likely add to claims from parts of his part that he has not given his full backing to the Remain campaign, despite the fact that support for either campaign from traditional Labour supporters could tip the balance either way.

His comments came after a survey of 2,000 people by ORB for The Independent found that 55% of people believe the UK should leave the union, while 45% believe they should remain.

The result is sure to heighten fears that the remain campaign is losing ground, particularly among Labour supporters as the poll found that 44% of those who voted for the party in the last election, now want to leave the EU.

However, polls north of the border have shown a consistent lead for the Remain campaign.