Scottish Government under fire for refusing to share legal advice on European role
The Scottish Government has been accused of ''insulting'' voters after refusing to publish legal advice on an independent Scotland's role within the European Union.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 10.11.11
- Published online : 10.11.11 @ 12.36pm
External affairs secretary Fiona Hyslop claimed releasing the information prior to the planned referendum on breaking away from the United Kingdom would be ''contrary to the public interest''.
The row came as the SNP was forced to reject suggestions that Scotland would be forced to reapply for EU membership if it became an independent state.
A publication from the House of Commons library set out three options for post-independence Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Options include both parts continuing in the EU after separation, Scotland being forced to reapply while the rest of the UK continues and ''dissolution'', meaning both would have to reapply.
The paper sparked fresh calls for the SNP to spell out exactly what would happen and what advice ministers have been given.
Pressure increased on the Government further after Labour MEP Catherine Stihler released a letter from Ms Hyslop in which she refuses to discuss official legal advice on the issue.
Ms Hyslop wrote: ''We consider that to reveal whether or not the information you have requested exists, or is held by the Scottish Government, would be contrary to the public interest.''
Labour's spokeswoman on external affairs, Patricia Ferguson, described the claim as a ''slap in the face'' to all Scots.
She added: ''Knowing the facts might not be in the SNP's interest — but certainly is in Scotland's interest. Scots are going to be asked to make one of the most significant decisions in 300 years but the SNP are hiding the facts.
''This secrecy is insulting and it is quite extraordinary that a government minister has the audacity to tell us we're not allowed to know something so fundamental.''
But a spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said the position is ''crystal clear''.
He added: ''Scotland is already an integral part of the EU — and as an independent state will be in exactly the same position as the rest of the UK as a successor state. Legal, constitutional and European experts have all confirmed that an independent Scotland would continue in EU membership.
''Scotland would not be a new part of the EU and the issue of the euro would be decided by a referendum of the people of Scotland, and only when the economic circumstances were right. Until such a point, an independent Scotland will retain sterling as at present.''
The Commons report, which dominated discussions at Scottish questions at Westminster on Wednesday, concedes there is ''no clear answer'' to Scotland's continued role in the EU.
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