Ed Miliband Heckled In Edinburgh, Attacks 'Ugly Side' Of Scottish Independence Campaign (VIDEO)

Miliband Heckled In Edinburgh, Attacks 'Ugly Side' Of Yes Campaign
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Ed Miliband claimed the campaign for independence has 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 St James Shopping Centre in the city 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 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.

Miliband told the BBC: "I think we have seen in parts of this campaign an ugly side to it from the Yes campaign.

"I think debates should be conducted in a civilised way, I think that's very, very important, but I understand that passions run high. What I've enjoyed about this campaign, including today when I get the chance, is meeting people who are genuinely undecided."

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale, who was on the scene, later tweeted: "Campaign room full of visibly shaken and upset folk who were in St James Centre - truly crappy day for democracy."

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Miliband spoke briefly to a handful of voters before the chaotic visit was brought to an end. He told reporters: "If people vote no, it's for change and more powers for a stronger Scotland, as well as NHS funding guarantees, and that's got to be weighed against the big risks of voting yes. That has been the choice that people are facing in these last couple of days in this referendum campaign."

He added: "I think that the momentum is with the No campaign as people recognise that there is a clear offer of change by voting No."

Asked if he was making it up as he was going along, he said: "Not at all. We have set out very clearly throughout this campaign that there will be more powers for the Scottish Parliament, that this is the choice on offer by voting No against the big risks of voting Yes."

Ed Miliband In Scotland
(01 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh as shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran pushes demonstrators and supporters back as they on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(02 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh as security guards pushes demonstrators and supporters back as he goes on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(03 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh as shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran pushes demonstrators and supporters back as they on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(04 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband talks a shop worker as he makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh while on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(05 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband talks a shop worker as he makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh while on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(06 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh as security guards pushes demonstrators and supporters back as he goes on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(07 of20)
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Labour Party leader Ed Miliband (C) addresses the public and the media as he walks in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(08 of20)
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Labour Party leader Ed Miliband addresses the public and the media as he walks in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(09 of20)
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband speaks with journalists as he visits St James Shopping Centre in central Edinburgh on September 16, 2014 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Yes and No supporters are campaigning in the last two days of the referendum to decide if Scotland will become an independent country. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(10 of20)
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband reacts as he visits St James Shopping Centre in central Edinburgh on September 16, 2014 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Yes and No supporters are campaigning in the last two days of the referendum to decide if Scotland will become an independent country. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(11 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh while on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(12 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband talks a shop worker as he makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh while on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(13 of20)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband makes his way through St James Shopping Centre in Edinburgh while on the campaign trail for the Scottish independence referendum. (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
(14 of20)
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Leader of Britain's opposition Labour party Ed Milliband meets members of the public and media representatives in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(15 of20)
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Leader of Britain's opposition Labour party Ed Milliband meets members of the public and media representatives in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(16 of20)
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Leader of Britain's opposition Labour party Ed Milliband meets members of the public and media representatives in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(17 of20)
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Leader of Britain's opposition Labour party Ed Milliband (L) meets members of the public and media representatives in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(18 of20)
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Leader of Britain's opposition Labour party Ed Milliband meets members of the public and media representatives in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(19 of20)
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Leader of Britain's opposition Labour party Ed Milliband meets members of the public and media representatives in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
(20 of20)
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Labour Party leader Ed Milliband addresses the public and media as he walks in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 16, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Scotland's independence. The leaders of the three main British parties on Tuesday issued a joint pledge to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence, in a final drive to stop the United Kingdom splitting. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)