If currency plan A is just a convenience to smooth transition, the rUK will play hardball, warns Alf Young

There’s a storm brewing as the UK reassesses its place in Europe and Scotland reconsiders its part in the UK, writes Gerry Hassan

A LEGAL challenge to false statements made by either side of the independence debate would have little chance of success, according to academics.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has hit out at the “fascist” elements of Scottish nationalism after he needed a police escort to escape a mob of protesters in Edinburgh yesterday, and today he hung up during a telephone interview on BBC radio.

SCOTLAND’S right to keep the pound after independence was at the heart of fiery exchanges between Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore last night.

“IT depends whether there’s a good film on,” replied one MSP yesterday on whether they would be tuning in to last night’s TV debate.

MONDAY this week saw the awakening of former prime minister, Gordon Brown, from political hibernation.

THE Scottish Government says it has now received legal advice about an independent Scotland’s membership of the European Union.

POP star Sharleen Spiteri has said she does not believe an independent Scotland would be viable, questioning whether it would have the resources to survive.

THE Yes and No camps in the referendum debate could manage to avoid strict campaign spending limits unless a potential loophole is tackled, MSPs have been warned.

The independence referendum could be challenged by any member of the public who raises a substantial doubt about the fairness of its outcome, according to a legal expert.

AN INDEPENDENT Scotland will be forced to set up its own financial services regulator, the UK government has claimed, raising the prospect of “significant costs” from extra red tape for the industry.

BORIS Johnson claims Londoners are losing patience over why they are denied similar “fiscal freedoms” given to governments in Wales and Scotland.

CAMPAIGNERS for a Yes vote will only win next year’s independence referendum if they can persuade people that they would be better off if Scotland leaves the UK and “to leave aside their feelings of Britishness”, a new report says.

WHAT is it that businessmen don’t get about politics? Over the past week, we have heard enough from at least two successful entrepreneurs to suggest that the skill set they have used to make loads of money is not really up to handling the issues thrown up by the independence debate.

WE will need our wits about us to sift competing profundities from sleekit half-truths in the run-up to the referendum, writes Pete Martin

ANY UK vote on Europe will have major ramifications, no matter how Scotland votes in 2014, writes Bill Jamieson

Secondary schools are set to become key political battlegrounds as pro and anti-independence groups go head-to-head to sway first-time 16-year-old voters.

A VOTE for independence is now the “only way” to ensure Scotland’s continued membership of the European Union, Alex Salmond claimed last night.

FORMER Chancellor Alistair Darling has backed devolving all of income tax to the Scottish Parliament “in principle” but warned that any further devolution needs a UK mandate.