BUSINESSMAN Sir John Hall said he believed the Scottish referendum would have “earth-shattering” consequences for the rest of the UK - especially in the North-East - and urged politicians to work together to ensure the region is not forgotten.

He said: “ Where we end up will be the result of what happens between the three political parties. I can see the Liberals and the Conservatives supporting federalism, but the Labour Party might not because it’ll affect their vote.

“We’re going to have to get together and have leading politicians fighting the battle for us and make sure the regions are not forgotten. It’s easy for the politicians to talk but at the end of the day we have to live with the consequences.”

Describing himself as “a great federalist”, Sir John said the referendum had reinforced his own Englishness.

He added: “I bought a pair of cufflinks yesterday with English flags on them and I’m putting an English flag in my car. I think everybody should do that.

“ I think we need to reinforce the Englishness about us, not forgetting that we are British, that’s very very important to me. I’ve never felt that way before.”

Sir John said he felt the Scots would keep coming back to the independence issue.

He said: “I wasn’t quite certain as to how I’d feel about Scottish independence. Looking to the United Kingdom as a whole, I’m happy they stayed, but it’s been a festering sore for 300 years to many many in Scotland.

“I think in many ways, had I lived up there I would have taken the chance to vote for independence, but I’m living in the North-East and we have to look to ourselves now and rise above the politics.”