Nicola Sturgeon has refused to rule out an independent Scotland having a hard border with England.
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, the first minister said she did not want a border, but declined to dismiss the idea that there would be one in the event of Scotland being in the EU and the rest of the UK outside the bloc.
Questioned by Mr Marr, Ms Sturgeon said she did not want to “speculate” on the issue.
She added: “I don’t want borders…I am not the author of the Brexit policy, I’m opposed to the Brexit policy. It is not my choice to have policies that result in borders.
“I will always be frank and honest with people in Scotland about the choices I’m asking them to make.
“One of the things I am determined about is that the choice that Scotland will make on independence – just as it was in 2014 – will be an informed and a detailed one.”
Mr Marr maintained that it was “kind of obvious” that a hard border would be needed in the event of an independent Scotland rejoining the EU.
Ms Sturgeon said: “We need to see how things play out and what the final relationship between the UK and EU will be. As that picture clarifies, I will be honest with the people of Scotland.”
Ms Sturgeon was interviewed by Mr Marr in advance of the opening day of the SNP conference in Aberdeen.
In the past, Ms Sturgeon has asserted that the UK Government’s claims that a frictionless border can be maintained on the island of Ireland meant the same should apply to the Scotland/England frontier.
Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative leader said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s acceptance that Scottish independence will most likely lead to a border with England is a dramatic shift.
“Up until now, the nationalists have refused to accept this as even a possibility, but they can see they are fooling no one.
“Sturgeon must now be ‘honest’ and admit that separation from the UK would lead to extreme austerity, hard borders with England and damage to public services.”
Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “The mask has slipped. For Nicola Sturgeon, any price is worth paying to break up the United Kingdom, even dividing friends and family with a hard border.”