EU ins and outs

SO HAS the Scottish Government sought legal advice on whether an independent Scotland could join the European Union (your report, 13 July)?

It seems a simple question, so why is the SNP government so coy about answering it. I believe it was only in May that Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said publicly that an independent Scotland would automatically become a member of the European Union but would not require to join the euro.

So do the Scottish people not have the right to know whether that statement was based on a legal opinion or was merely a flight of fancy?

Secrecy and the lack of transparency breed mistrust, so when the SNP is leading Scotland into unknown territory the least it can be is frank and honest.

Bob MacDougall

Oxhill

Kippen, Stirlingshire

OUR current membership of the European Union belongs to the whole of the United Kingdom.

Has Prime Minister Cameron ever sought a legal ruling on whether, after Scotland becomes independent, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will have to apply for membership of the EU ? I think we should be told.

Peter Swain

Innerwick

Dunbar