SCOTTISH Labour health spokesman Neil Findlay dismissed fresh claims yesterday that the NHS in Scotland would be under threat in the event of a No vote in the independence referendum.

In an interview for the pro-Yes Sunday Herald newspaper, Queen Mary University of London professor Allyson Pollock claimed that reforms in the NHS south of the border could result in “serious consequences” for Scotland by translating into reduced funding through the Barnett formula.

Left MSP Mr Findlay told the Morning Star: “There is nothing new in these claims, the NHS is fully devolved and has been since 1999 so successive governments can and have taken a different route to what is going on in England. 

“In her interview Allyson Pollock says that the private sector is ‘highly inefficient.’

“I agree with her — and that is why spending money on private healthcare does not mean less spend for Scotland — we would still get our full share via the Barnett formula.” 

In her interview, Ms Pollock said: “In the absence of any reversal of neoliberal policies in England, the clearest way to defend and promote the principle of a public NHS is to vote for Scotland to have full powers and responsibilities of an independent country.”

But Mr Findlay countered: “The greatest threat to the NHS in Scotland is from the £8.6 billion black hole an independent Scotland would have in its finances as identified by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and the millions that would be ripped out of public services by a corporation tax gift to big business that the SNP are committed to.”

First Minister Alex Salmond condemned intimidation “from any side” after Labour MP Jim Murphy suspended his 100 Towns in 100 Days tour of anti-independence street meetings on police advice at the weekend.

Mr Murphy was pelted with eggs in Fife on Thursday and said he has faced other threats of violence from Yes campaigners.

Speaking on Sky TV, Mr Salmond listed a range of attacks on Yes campaigners including himself before advising his supporters to ignore the Labour MP. 

“If Mr Murphy comes bawling and shouting on a street corner near you any time soon keep doing your shopping, keep doing what you were doing.

“He’s just like the guy with The End Is Nigh round his neck — he’ll go away soon.”