Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday slammed the plan submitted by the SNP to the Smith Commission on devolution, saying it “adds up to separation by another route.”

Mr Brown said SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon’s proposal to devolve responsibilities except for defence and foreign affairs was incompatible with staying in the UK.

“The SNP plan for fiscal autonomy would mean no transfers of resources within the UK, ending UK pensions, ending UK help for Scots when unemployed, ending UK support for Scottish health and education — all of which Scots voted to keep,” Mr Brown said.