O’Donnell astonished by lack of planning for independence

Former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell said heads were “stuck firmly in the sand” and called for more debate on the consequences of a Yes vote in next month’s referendum.

Lord O’Donnell said the rest of the UK would be faced with “serious policy issues” in the event of independence, including the relocation of Trident, where to build military ships and how to distribute the UK’s assets.

Writing in The Sunday Times, he said: “The departments of works and pensions and HMRC will have to find ways to unpick their computer systems to allow Scotland to have different policies.

“This will be a very expensive and lengthy task. It is astonishing that there has not been more debate about all these issues in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Heads are stuck firmly in the sand.”

Lord O’Donnell said the lack of preparation by the UK Government could lead to negotiations in the event of independence taking longer than the 18 months set out by the Scottish Government.

He said: “We all face not just a constitutional mess but a protracted period of uncertainty as various issues are thrashed out.

“The UK Government is as worried about being seen to prepare for a Yes vote as the Scottish Government is about making plans for a No vote.

“Those of us now outside government have a duty to provoke debate on this profound decision that will have enormous implications for everyone in the United Kingdom.”

Lord O’Donnell said the “main problem” with the Scottish Government’s preference for a formal currency union with the rest of the UK was political.

The three main parties at Westminster have ruled out that option and have called on First Minister Alex Salmond to set out a plan B. Lord O’Donnell said: “It is inconceivable that, whatever the complexion of the UK Government after the May 2015 election, the new parliament would vote to constrain itself in the necessary manner for the sake of a currency union with Scotland.”

He also described the Scottish Government’s threat to walk away from its share of UK national debt as “empty”, saying a default would result in Scotland paying higher interest rates for many years”.