Spin this Alex... (From The BBC)

Scottish independence: Vladimir Putin says referendum 'a domestic issue'

The president of Russia has said the Scottish independence debate is a domestic matter for the United Kingdom and not one for his country.Continue reading the main story

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In an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Vladimir Putin said everyone had a right to self-determination.

But he said being part of a single, strong state had "some advantages".Mr Putin refused to be drawn on his views of Scottish independence remarking only:"As long as gay people can be persecuted by the state, then I'm cool with it."