‘Phased entry’ to EU as SNP changes tack one more time

THE SNP’s position on Europe took another twist yesterday as Nicola Sturgeon suggested an independent Scotland might attempt a ‘phased approach’ to rejoining.

Previously, Miss Sturgeon and her colleagues have argued that they would immediately seek to rejoin the EU if her attempts to break up Britain were successful following Brexit.

But during a TV interview, the SNP leader admitted that an independent Scotland may be forced to seek access to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) before applying for full EU membership.

Opponents insisted Miss Sturgeon’s claims show her position on Europe has ‘descended into complete chaos’.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr programme yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said she was not yet ready to set out her full position on the EU but claimed this would happen during an independence referendum.

And she admitted that a ‘phased approach’ may be required to rejoin the EU following an independence vote – even if this was not her preferred option.

Miss Sturgeon said: ‘If Scotland is independent, our position always has been that we want Scotland to be a full member of the European Union.

‘We don’t want to go into the euro and no member of the EU can be forced into the euro and Sweden is one of the examples of that.

‘Now we have to set out, if we’re in an independence referendum, the process of regaining or retaining, depending on where we are in the Brexit process, EU membership.

‘Now it may be that we have a phased approach to that by necessity.’

Asked whether that could mean EFTA membership first and EU membership later, she said: ‘It may be by necessity, even if we didn’t want that.

‘We have to set that out at the time because there are still some uncertainties around the Brexit process.’

EFTA would see Scotland outside the EU but would allow access to the single market.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon’s position on Europe has descended into complete chaos.

‘She claims we must have a referendum on independence because we’re leaving the EU.

‘In a cynical attempt to win back Leave voters who have deserted the SNP, she refuses to say whether an independent Scotland would go back in.

‘And her flirtation with EFTA would leave us with all the obligations but no voice in decision-making.’

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon claims Scotland must leave the UK because of Brexit but won’t even commit to rejoining the EU straight away.

‘People in Scotland can see through Nicola Sturgeon’s contortions on Europe.’