Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of ‘misleading voters’ and ‘delusional claims’ after she said a separate Scotland could join the EU ‘relatively quickly’.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil, she also rejected the fact that an independent Scotland would need to have its ‘own stable currency’ before joining the EU.
The First Minister said: “We would have a discussion with the EU about the journey an independent Scotland was on in terms of currency, and the accession if Scotland was already out of the EU to the point where we rejoined the EU.”
Last month, a former president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said a separate Scotland joining the EU would require a ‘very long, very long debate’, adding ‘I doubt that ‘the Spanish government, and a majority of the Spanish parliament, is enthusiastic about access of countries who just separated from the integrity of the country to which they belong’.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said:
“These deluded claims from Nicola Sturgeon are an attempt to mislead voters.
“EU membership for a separate Scotland would be far from straightforward and the process is likely to be lengthy with no guarantee of success.
“In fact, it may not be possible at all because Spain could veto membership completely.
“There are strict rules which would force Scotland to reduce its deficit by cutting public spending and raising taxes, and a requirement for new member states to commit to joining the euro, despite Ms Sturgeon’s claims to the contrary.
“It would also almost certainly lead to a hard border with England, with massive economic and social consequences.
“Whatever your views on Brexit, it’s clear that Scexit is not the answer - this would not automatically lead us back into the EU. We are stronger together as part of the UK.”
Watch the clip here