Scottish independence: Scots ‘could ditch Queen’

Scots could decide to ditch the Queen as the head of state after independence, an SNP minister has said.

Aileen Campbell has said Scots could vote on whether to keep the Queen. Picture: TSPL

Alex Salmond has insisted that the Monarch would continue to preside over Scotland in the event of a Yes vote in next year’s referendum.

But Aileen Campbell, minister for children and young people, indicated that this may not be the case in the longer term.

“The Scottish Government’s position is that after a Yes vote next year, the Queen would remain the head of state but like many people in Scotland I believe the sovereignty of people is a very important thing so it would be up to people to decide whether or not that would remain the case thereafter,” she said.

The First Minister has not said there would be referendum on the Queen being retained as head of state, yet Ms Campbell has suggested otherwise.

She said it was up to people who “will have a say on how the country is shaped as we move forward.”

She added; “The birth of a child is always a happy event and I’m sure everyone wishes Prince George all the very best but for the country to move forward, a Yes vote next year will allow us and enable us to take the decisions about what that country would look like, how it would feel and that includes about deciding who is the future head of state.”