Ed Miliband said yesterday that the campaign for Scottish independence had an “ugly side” during chaotic scenes as he was mobbed during a visit to Edinburgh.

The Labour leader took his fight to save the union to the city’s St James Shopping Centre but struggled to talk to voters as campaigners from both the Yes and No camps clashed.

Labour had attempted to keep details of the visit quiet to prevent it being hijacked but Mr Miliband found himself surrounded by media and campaigners as well as members of the public.

Chants of “Vote Yes” and “You’re a liar” competed with chants of “Vote No” as shoppers were trampled and pushed aside.

“I think we have seen in parts of this campaign an ugly side to it from the Yes campaign,” Mr Miliband told the BBC.

He managed to speak briefly to a handful of voters before the disorderly visit was brought to an end.