Scotland ‘should not join EU if independent’

An independent Scotland should not join the EU, the former vice-president of Yes Scotland has said.

Sir George Mathewson, the former RBS chief who chaired a council of economic advisers appointed by Alex Salmond while he was first minister, also suggested that another referendum is an issue “best decided over a long timescale”.

The comments emerged as a paper commissioned by an influential European Parliament committee suggests the case for Scotland and Northern Ireland staying in the EU until they hold referendums has “merit”.

Sir George said: “Brexit has to be decided quickly and I think independence will happen over a longer period after that.”

A report to the European Parliament highlights a paper by constitutional expert Brendan O’Leary and was published by the London School of Economics.

He wrote: “Northern Ireland and Scotland could remain within the EU, at least pending the resolution of their UK status via a border poll (Northern Ireland) or an independence referendum (Scotland).”

The report adds: “This view may hold merit but has no traction with the Westminster Government.”

A spokesman for SNP Brexit minister Mike Russell said: “The next two years will determine the kind of country Scotland will be, so once the terms of Brexit are clear, it is the people of Scotland who should have the final say on their future.”

Pictures: PA. Left: Prime Minister Theresa May and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will meet in Glasgow today for crunch talks on Brexit. Above: Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.