Can the SNP prove a separate Scotland would automatically inherit the UK’s EU membership and opt-outs? They have admitted it would not. Worse still they have spent 20 grand of taxpayers money fighting in court when asked to show their advice. Then they admitted they had no such advice. Why then fight the case!! It is bizarre.
This row is now widening and is all about the SNP inability to join the EU, and what kind of country an independent Scotland would be.
Background:
During an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil in March last year, Mr Salmond appeared to confirm that he had sought advice from his law officers on this issue, saying: “We have, yes, in terms of the debate.”
Unsurprisingly people wanted to see that advice and did a Freedom of Information request
The FOI commissioner agreed and ordered the SNP government to disclose it.
But in July 2012 the Scottish Government announced it was appealing this ruling by the FOI commissioner that it disclose whether or not advice had been sought.
Ministers then used taxpayers’ money to contest the case all the way to the Court of Session but then dropped their action in October that year after admitting the advice did not exist.
Now the figures have emerged. According to a parliamentary answer, the Scottish Government’s legal costs totalled £3,960 and law accountant fees were £1,680.
In addition, Scottish ministers agreed to pay the Information Commissioner’s fees of £13,812.92.
A total just shy of £20 grand!
Now they admit spending a load of money protecting a document that does not exist.
The reality is that if they fail to tell voters what kind of independent Scotland will be then voters will wonder where they are going.
Full story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10367759/Alex-Salmond-spent-20000-keeping-secret-non-existent-EU-legal-advice.html
