Westminster says Yes vote would put Scots out of EU

Westminster's Scotland Office published evidence from two experts who argue that an independent Scotland would be forced to reapply to join international bodies and take on a slice of Britain's national debt.

Professors James Crawford and Alan Boyle rejected the Scottish government's assertion that the country would automatically remain members of international organisations, such as the EU, the UN and Nato.

Although Professor Crawford told BBC Radio Scotland that it would not "necessarily be very difficult" for Scotland to gain membership of the EU and it would be "straightforward" to join the UN.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said a Yes vote in the 2014 referendum would end devolution which "offers our country the best of both worlds."

But Unison Scotland organiser Dave Watson said Mr Moore was "vague" on the future of devolution if Scotland voted against independence.

Mr Watson told the Star the union believes "devolution needs to go further" and will set out its own proposals in the coming weeks.

And he added: "Most people, if not the Scottish government, recognise that Scotland would have to reapply for membership of the EU but equally they are right to say it won't be much of an issue for us to do so."

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured, left) said the report had inadvertently been "helpful" to her government's campaign for independence by highlighting how easy it would be to join international bodies.

Experts leading a Scottish government commission on the economics of independence also argued today that Scotland would not be forced to join the euro.

The commission reported Scotland was large enough to establish its own separate currency but "practical challenges" would make it advantageous to keep sterling "immediately post-independence."

Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said the report confirmed that Scotland has the "potential to be a successful independent nation with a robust financial model from day one of independence."