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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| First minister travels to United States | First minister travels to United States |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Nicola Sturgeon is travelling to California, as part of a five-day visit to the United States. | Nicola Sturgeon is travelling to California, as part of a five-day visit to the United States. |
| She has been invited to give a speech at Stanford University on Scotland's place in the world. | She has been invited to give a speech at Stanford University on Scotland's place in the world. |
| The Scottish Conservatives have questioned Ms Sturgeon's priorities, saying she should "get back to the day job". | The Scottish Conservatives have questioned Ms Sturgeon's priorities, saying she should "get back to the day job". |
| The first minister will also meet Governor of California Jerry Brown to discuss climate change. | The first minister will also meet Governor of California Jerry Brown to discuss climate change. |
| Mr Brown has criticised President Trump for his executive order overturning many climate change policies introduced by President Obama. | Mr Brown has criticised President Trump for his executive order overturning many climate change policies introduced by President Obama. |
| The Scottish parliament has started its Easter recess. | The Scottish parliament has started its Easter recess. |
| A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "The First Minister's visit will focus on promoting trade and investment, boosting tourism, sharing best practice across the public and private sector and promoting Scottish innovation and entrepreneurship. | |
| "The relationship between Scotland and America is an important one with deep and long-standing ties reflected by the strong economic, cultural and personal links of our citizens." | |
| Conservative MSP Annie Wells said she fears the first minister will use the trip to promote Scottish independence. | Conservative MSP Annie Wells said she fears the first minister will use the trip to promote Scottish independence. |
| She said: "The First Minister seems determined to talk about independence at every opportunity she gets. | She said: "The First Minister seems determined to talk about independence at every opportunity she gets. |
| "Rather than going abroad to try and sell her plans for separation, she should accept that Scots don't want a second independence referendum and get back to the day job of improving our health service and schools." | "Rather than going abroad to try and sell her plans for separation, she should accept that Scots don't want a second independence referendum and get back to the day job of improving our health service and schools." |
| Spanish government | Spanish government |
| The start of the first minister's trip has coincided with further comments from the Spanish government about its attitude to Scotland joining the EU. | The start of the first minister's trip has coincided with further comments from the Spanish government about its attitude to Scotland joining the EU. |
| Spain has confirmed that it would not initially block any attempt from Scotland to join the EU after Brexit. | Spain has confirmed that it would not initially block any attempt from Scotland to join the EU after Brexit. |
| Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, however, said he remains opposed to independence. | Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, however, said he remains opposed to independence. |
| Mr Dastis added: "Having said that, if, in application of its laws, the outcome of that process is a division of the United Kingdom, any part of the United Kingdom that becomes a state and wants to join the EU will have to apply. And follow the steps that are stipulated." | Mr Dastis added: "Having said that, if, in application of its laws, the outcome of that process is a division of the United Kingdom, any part of the United Kingdom that becomes a state and wants to join the EU will have to apply. And follow the steps that are stipulated." |
| He warned an application for membership could take several years to be processed. | He warned an application for membership could take several years to be processed. |
| SNP MP Stephen Gethins said: "This is a significant intervention by Spain's foreign minister which confirms what other Spanish politicians have said previously. | |
| "We can be now absolutely clear - there is no intention of a 'Spanish veto' over Scotland's EU membership. | |
| "This is just the latest indication from a senior European diplomat that an independent Scotland would be welcomed into the EU, after Lord Kerr this week said that we'd be in 'very fast'. | |
| "EU countries want to be constructive with Scotland and will respect the democratic will of the Scottish people if we choose to be independent." | |
| The Conservatives have said the issue was not just about the exercise of a veto. | |
| MEP Ian Duncan said: "The issue about an independent Scotland's EU membership has never been about an individual country's veto. | |
| "The truth is the decision would rest in the hands of all 27 member states, each of which would undoubtedly ask for something from Scotland in return. | |
| "This is likely to lead to sweeping concessions, especially for our fishermen. This would result in a hugely unfavourable deal, something considerably worse than the UK's membership of the EU prior to Brexit." |