Alex Salmond was branded the “Pinocchio of Scottish politics” in a Holyrood row over EU membership yesterday.
The first minister has insisted an independent Scotland could negotiate entry from within the EU, while details could be finalised within 18 months of next year’s referendum.
On numerous occasions, he has quoted sources to back up the SNP case, including a letter from an European Commission official that opponents said was “pulled off the internet”.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson yesterday accused Mr Salmond of deliberately ignoring the EC’s official position in a letter to the Scottish Parliamentary Information Service.
The letter, dated November 5 this year, states the position remains as set out by EC president Jose Barroso, that a state that becomes independent would “become a third country with respect to the EU and the treaties would no longer apply on its territory”.
Ms Davidson said the letter was “unambiguous”, that an independent Scotland would have to negotiate entry from outside the EU, while the Schengen Agreement on freedom of movement would no longer apply.
She claimed the first minister had misled voters by stating the government had legal advice on Europe, tried to cover up the fact that the advice did not exist, and was now choosing to ignore the official position from Brussels.
“He is the Pinocchio of Scottish politics. Every time he speaks on Europe his nose grows another inch,” she said, only to be pulled up by Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick for her language.
Ms Davidson apologised, but added: “I have outlined three occasions on which, on a single issue, the first minister has misled the people of this country.
“If the people cannot trust him on this issue, why should they trust him on any issue?”
Mr Salmond replied that the letter he had quoted was “absolutely genuine” and was from the EC.
Both letters clearly state that the Commission would only be able to express an opinion on the legal consequences if it is given a “precise scenario” from a member state, he said.
“Now, why don’t we have a precise legal scenario?” Mr Salmond asked.
“Because the United Kingdom Government refuse to go to the Commission with the precise legal scenario.”