A retired couple are turning their backs on Scotland after 40 years because they’re afraid the independence referendum could spark anti-English discrimination.
Michael Humphries, 71, originally from Surrey and Scots-born wife Anne, 72, have called Scotland their home since the 1970s but are desperate to remain in Britain if Scotland chooses to go alone next year.
The couple, who have three grown up children, have decided to sell their idyllic Aberdeenshire farmhouse near Inverurie amid claims they are being made to feel increasingly unwelcome in Scotland.
Retired oil worker Michael, who worked for BP, said: “I have heard many remarks, even by friends, about the English and I put it down to ignorance.
“It upsets my wife more than it upsets me. Our two English daughter-in-laws living in Scotland have experienced the same sort of anti-English comments.
“It never used to be like this but I think this nationalist view is growing with the SNP and the independence debate.
“We are moving because we want to remain in Britain but the anti-English views are an important reason too.”
The couple claim to have experienced casual racism at dinner parties and sporting events.
Distraught Anne, a grandmother-of-four who broke down when talking about her experiences, said: “It is this underlying racism that frightens me.
“There are slogans painted on walls with ‘England get out’ and they deeply hurt me.”
The couple say they are “scared” of the outcome of next year’s referendum and independence will lead to “unhealthy nationalism”.
And they are worried for the children, in-laws and grandchildren they leave behind.
Anne added: “Independence is such an unnecessary thing.
“We have our own parliament, our own education and legal system.
“What the SNP stand for is nationalism and that, to me, is dangerous.
“Independence is splitting families apart.
“I don’t want my children to have to go through border controls when visiting their family.
“I’m British first and Scottish second and I am proud to be a Scot but I would like to know if I could keep a British passport.”
A Better Together spokesperson said: “Regardless of your view on the future of our country nobody should be made to feel they don’t belong based on where they were born.”
A spokesperson for Yes Scotland said: “Yes Scotland condemns all forms of intimidation and discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexuality and creed.
“This is at odds with the type of tolerant and all-embracing country Scotland is.”
Earlier this year a couple fled Skye after complaining they were the subject of serial anti-English abuse.
Disabled English woman Penny Tyler, 59, and Scottish partner Tommy McKinley, 64, said they suffered almost daily racial abuse from a neighbour.
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