Spain could scupper EU bid

An independent Scotland’s hopes of joining the EU could be scuppered by Spain, experts have warned.

The SNP insists that Scotland would automatically remain in the EU as a “successor state” if it splits from the UK. But many legal experts say it would have to apply to rejoin, a process which could take up to ten years.

Constitutional expert Professor Vernon Bogdanor warned MPs on Westminster’s Scottish affairs select committee yesterday that Spain’s fragile regional make-up could pose trouble.

He said: “They would not want to make it easy for an area such as Catalonia or the Basque region securing secession.”