SNP claims over an independent Scotland’s membership of the European Union (EU) have been dealt a blow.
European Commission (EC) vice president Vivianne Reding has written two letters to the Scottish Parliament’s European and external relations committee claiming that if any part of the territory of a member state ceases to be a part of that state, European treaties no longer apply to it.
In her correspondence, Ms Reding says that if Scotland votes for independence, Scots will no longer be EU citizens.
The letters contradict the Scottish Government’s independence white paper claim that European treaties would continue to apply to an independent Scotland.
Ms Reding’s comments also contradict the SNP’s arguments that an independent Scotland could bypass the normal EU entry via Article 49 of the Treaty of the European Union, by using Article 48, which provides for a treaty amendment to be agreed by common accord.
The vice-president’s letters have prompted Conservative MEP Ian Duncan and Highlands and Islands Tory MSP Jamie McGrigor to write to First Minister Alex Salmond asking him to clarify his government’s position.
Mr Duncan claimed Monday’s television debate between the first minister and Alistair Darling, head of the pro-UK Better Together campaign, showed “Mr Salmond likes to shout questions but doesn’t like to give answers”.
“The commissioner makes it clear in her letters to the European and external relations committee that Scotland would have to reapply for membership of the EU,” he said.
“That means no UK rebate, taking the euro as currency, and losing VAT exemption on children’s clothes, to name but a few. Mr Salmond must be straight with the Scottish people.”
North-east SNP MSP Christian Allard said various experts disagreed with Ms Reding.
“The fact that this latest scare story is being spread by the Tories just a day after it was reported that Prime Minister David Cameron is preparing to move to back the UK’s exit from the EU is simply beyond belief.
“Yet again, the No camp parties say one thing in Westminster and another in Scotland.”