Leader: Salmond must address EU lockout talk

THOSE doubting the size and depth of the Pandora’s Box opened up in the approach to the independence referendum will find the contribution from Professor Thomas Giegerich, an international law expert at Edinburgh University, soberingly instructive.

It is his understanding that Scotland could be kept out of the European Union for up to two years, with Scots stripped of their rights to travel freely within the EU. He says it would be “diplomatically difficult” for Scotland to join the EU after a “yes” vote, with other members states “reluctant” to anger the Westminster government. It will take time, he argues, for an independent Scotland to go through the process of joining, and winning round those member states which would have the power of veto over a Scottish application.

Now this is far from being the only opinion on this matter. And some in the SNP fold might feel that such an outcome may be more a blessing than a curse. Scottish exporters, however, would be fiercely concerned were they not to enjoy access to the EU single market and would be aghast at any prospect of being frozen out while political haggling stretched out over long negotiations. For his part, First Minister Alex Salmond is confident there is no problem: an independent Scotland would continue to be a member of the EU. This advice may well be correct, but, so far, he has declined to put it into the public domain. And yesterday he declined invitations from Tory leader Ruth Davidson so to do.

Given the crucial importance of this matter to Scottish business, this is a stance that is certain to come under the most intense pressure.