Scottish independence: Barack Obama tribute to UK ahead of referendum

Barack Obama has said the interest of the US in the Scottish independence referendum issue was to ensure it retained a "strong, robust, united and effective ally".

But the US president told reporters in Brussels the decision was "up to the people of Scotland".
He has also expressed his disquiet at the prospect of the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Obama was speaking alongside Prime Minister David Cameron at a media conference following the G7 summit.
US diplomats have previously said the country would remain neutral in both the independence and EU debates.
 

When asked for his thoughts about the independence referendum, which will be held on 18 September, Mr Obama said that, from the outside, the UK appeared to have "worked pretty well".

He added: "There is a referendum process in place and it is up to the people of Scotland.

 

 "The United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well.

"And we obviously have a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner.
"But ultimately these are decisions that are to be made by the folks there."
Mr Obama also said he thought it "hard to be advantageous" for the UK to leave the EU.
He said it was good for the UK "to have a seat at the table" and said that, if the UK was excluded, it would have an "enormous impact" on the UK's economic and political life.
Close ties The Scottish government has yet to comment on Mr Obama's remarks on the independence referendum.
It has previously said that an independent Scotland would retain close ties with the rest of the UK and the United States.
But a former foreign office minister has expressed his "surprise" at Mr Obama's comments.
Lord Malloch-Brown, who was a minister in Gordon Brown's government, had previously said the US would be wise to keep out of the Scottish independence debate claiming "foreign, unsolicited advice is only going to anger Scots."
Following Mr Obama's remarks, he said: "I'm surprised that he has stepped into this. I don't think it will be very helpful for anybody."
In February last year, the then US ambassador to Britain, Louis Susman, said the Washington government was watching the debate unfold and would be staying "neutral". 

"The United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well”- Barack Obama. US president

 "I'm surprised that he has stepped into this. I don't think it will be very helpful for anybody”- Lord Malloch-Brown Former foreign office minister