Scottish independence: EU to outline legal advice

THE European parliament is to set out its legal advice on whether an independent Scotland could be fast-tracked into EU membership.

The European Parliament will outline legal advice on an independent Scotland being fast-tracked into the EU. Picture: Neil Hanna

A formal legal opinion from the parliament’s lawyers will be published within the next few weeks in what will be a major test of the SNP government’s claim that it could be swiftly admitted to the EU through a treaty amendment.

The move comes after MEPs have faced calls from UK politicians, as well as those in other nations such as Spain, for a formal opinion on the issue.

Legal advice has been sought by the European Parliament’s constitutional affairs committee chairman Carlo Casini, an Italian Conservative politician.

Scottish Labour MEP David Martin said the advice would deliver an “authoritative opinion” as he suggested the opinion would be published within a fortnight.

However, SNP MEP Alyn Smith said the Scottish government was relaxed about the legal advice coming from the European Parliament.