BANNATYNE’S FEARS FOR SCOTLAND

“For example, I don’t know how the Royal Bank of Scotland would have survived if it hadn’t been supported by the British Government. 

“We can still have great pride in Scotland, but it is ten times better to be part of Great Britain.” 

Bannatyne, who turns 60 tomorrow, also revealed his Dragon’s Den investments are thriving despite the downturn. Despite some deals falling through, he still retains a stake in six firms – Autosafe seatbelts, Razzamatazz stage schools, Blindsinabox, Chocbox, Igloo frozen foods and Pro Waste Management Services. 

“The recession has had no real effect on most of them,” he said. 

“It is definitely not affecting stage schools. Chocbox does business internationally so it has been affected [by the falling pound] and Blindsinabox sells to builders and housing developers, but the company is very well formed. It has money in the bank and is ready and willing to deal with any financial situation. 

“Most small businesses are the same. I speak to business people every day and when I ask if they have been affected by the recession, apart from builders, estate agents and bankers, most say they haven’t been affected – yet.” 

On Thursday, First Minister Alex Salmond admitted that Scotland is already in recession – although the official confirmation is not due for another three months. 

The admission followed news that the downturn north of the Border is worse than elsewhere in the UK, which in turn was forecast to suffer the worst recession in the developed world. 

However, Mr Salmond insisted that Scotland is still on track to meet the SNP’s economic targets and said: “It should be remembered that Scottish employment is higher than that of the UK average, Scottish unemployment is lower.” 

However, the fresh comments against independence from one of the country’s most successful businessmen may come back to haunt the Nationalists before November next year. Bannatyne’s words are supported by Labour peer and MSP George Foulkes, who has written a special article for the Scotland’s Future debate in today’s Scottish Sunday Express. 

The staunch Unionist said: “As we face the greatest global financial crisis for decades, Scots more than any others, realise a small country would be struggling to survive. 

“The money to bail out RBS alone would have used up the total Scottish budget for a whole year.” 

Last week, Sir Sean Connery launched the Scotland’s Future debate by urging politicians not to block the Referendum Bill and “to let the people speak”. 

He said that an independent Scotland would have the “real financial teeth” necessary to deal with the global recession. 

“In these tough economic times right across the world, independence for Scotland has never been more necessary,” he added.