£20,000 FOR ADVICE THAT NEVER EXISTED
A LEGAL battle over the publication of advice on an independent Scotland’s membership of the EU has saddled taxpayers with a £20,000 bill.
Last night, ministers were accused of using public funds ‘in an attempt to hide the truth’ ahead of next year’s referendum.
Nationalists have repeatedly claimed an independent Scotland would be a ‘continuing’ member of the EU and would not have to sign up to the euro single currency.
But First Minister Alex Salmond was branded a ‘barefaced liar’ after his deputy Nicola Sturgeon made the extraordinary confession that no legal advice existed to back this up.
Her revelation came only months after Mr Salmond was asked in a BBC interview: ‘Have you sought advice from your own Scottish law officers on this matter?’
In response, the First Minis- ter said: ‘We have, yes, in terms of the debate.’
As well as appearing to mislead the public, ministers left taxpayers with a bill for £19, 53 for an abortive legal challenge after Information Commissioner Rosemary Agnew ordered them to reveal if any advice existed.
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said last night: ‘Now we know £20,000 of taxpayers’ cash was wasted on the SNP’s folly.’
Scottish Labour constitution spokesman Drew Smith said: ‘It’s outrageous that the SNP has used public funds in an attempt to hide the truth ahead of the referendum.’
A spokesman for External Affairs Minister Humza Yousaf said: ‘This is the height of hypocrisy from Labour and the Tories – both of whom made utterly false claims in parliament that these costs were more than £100,000.’