Brown vows to save the Union

Updated 21.59 Sat May 10 2008

Gordon Brown has pledged to do "whatever is necessary" to save the United Kingdom in the face of calls for Scottish independence.

The Prime Minister called for an alliance of pro-Union parties, together with business and trade unions, to come together to fight to prevent the break-up of the UK.

"I will do whatever is necessary to ensure the stability and maintenance of the Union" - Gordon Brown

Mr Brown defended Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander as an "excellent leader" of Labour in Scotland, but distanced himself from her call for a poll on independence.

He said: "I will do whatever is necessary to ensure the stability and maintenance of the Union.

"I will do anything and everything to ensure that the case for the Union, which has served Britain and the British people so well, is properly heard and advanced.

"I want all unionist parties and all parts of business - employers, managers and trade unions - to work together not only to push the case for the Union but to expose the dangers of separation.

"Some issues are bigger than party politics and need to be addressed in the common interest."

Ms Alexander threw Labour into turmoil in both Scotland and England with her unexpected call for an immediate referendum on independence.