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Scottish minister to make emergency statement on EU membership rights Scottish minister to make emergency statement on EU membership rights
(about 5 hours later)
The Scottish deputy first minister has accepted opposition demands for an emergency statement to the Holyrood parliament after José Manuel Barroso indicated that an independent Scotland would have no automatic right to inherit any of the UK's EU opt-outs.The Scottish deputy first minister has accepted opposition demands for an emergency statement to the Holyrood parliament after José Manuel Barroso indicated that an independent Scotland would have no automatic right to inherit any of the UK's EU opt-outs.
In a further blow to the Scottish government's claims about its EU membership rights, Barroso, the president of the European commission, told a House of Lords committee that treaty rights were held only by those member states that had signed those treaties.In a further blow to the Scottish government's claims about its EU membership rights, Barroso, the president of the European commission, told a House of Lords committee that treaty rights were held only by those member states that had signed those treaties.
A new, independent state, even if it had broken away from an existing EU member, would have to start afresh, he told the Lords economic affairs committee. That implies an independent Scotland could be expected to join the euro, the Schengen border policing deal and accept other EU directives in full. A new, independent state, even if it had broken away from an existing EU member, would have to start afresh, he told the Lords economic affairs committee. That implies an independent Scotland could be expected to join the euro and the Schengen border policing deal and accept other EU directives in full.
Nicloa Sturgeon said on Monday that her government rejected Barroso's analysis, following an interview he gave to the BBC, and demanded urgent talks with the commissioner to discuss the controversy. Alex Salmond, the first minister, has also said Barroso is wrong. Nicola Sturgeon (below) said on Monday that her government rejected Barroso's analysis, after an interview he gave to the BBC, and demanded urgent talks with the commissioner to discuss the controversy. Alex Salmond, the first minister, has also said Barroso is wrong.
But after the full text of Barroso's letter emerged , Sturgeon has agreed to Scottish Tory demands for an emergency statement in Holyrood. That is now expected on Thursday. But, after the full text of Barroso's letter emerged , Sturgeon has agreed to Scottish Conservative demands for an emergency statement in Holyrood. That is now expected to be made on Thursday.
John Lamont, the Scottish Tory chief whip, said: "Or, if the SNP does not think Mr Barroso is incorrect, why has it stuck aggressively to the opposite position until now?John Lamont, the Scottish Tory chief whip, said: "Or, if the SNP does not think Mr Barroso is incorrect, why has it stuck aggressively to the opposite position until now?
"This is the second time in two months the Scottish government has had to come in front of the chamber and explain its conduct on entry into the EU."This is the second time in two months the Scottish government has had to come in front of the chamber and explain its conduct on entry into the EU.
"It hasn't bothered to find out about a separate Scotland's status in Europe, and negligence on this issue is now catching up with the first minister in an embarrassing fashion." "It hasn't bothered to find out about a separate Scotland's status in Europe, and negligence on this issue is now catching up with the first minister in an embarrassing fashion."