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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scottish independence: UK government making Union case | Scottish independence: UK government making Union case |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UK government is setting out its case for the Union, ahead of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. | The UK government is setting out its case for the Union, ahead of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. |
| Westminster ministers say they will explain in detail why people and companies in Scotland benefit from its place in the UK. | Westminster ministers say they will explain in detail why people and companies in Scotland benefit from its place in the UK. |
| Scottish Secretary Michael Moore will also urge SNP ministers to bring forward their case for independence. | Scottish Secretary Michael Moore will also urge SNP ministers to bring forward their case for independence. |
| Mr Moore said the Scottish government had become too caught up in the "process" of the vote. | Mr Moore said the Scottish government had become too caught up in the "process" of the vote. |
| He argued the constitutional debate had entered a new phase, where people wanted to hear more facts. | He argued the constitutional debate had entered a new phase, where people wanted to hear more facts. |
| The Scottish secretary said Scotland, as part of the Union, meant companies could grow under a large, single market with no trade barriers or restrictions. | The Scottish secretary said Scotland, as part of the Union, meant companies could grow under a large, single market with no trade barriers or restrictions. |
| He pointed out that two-thirds of Scottish exports go to the rest of the UK. | He pointed out that two-thirds of Scottish exports go to the rest of the UK. |
| In what will be the first in a series of papers on the issue, Mr Moore will outline the UK argument along with Advocate General Lord Wallace - a former Scottish deputy first minister - and Scotland Office minister David Mundell. | In what will be the first in a series of papers on the issue, Mr Moore will outline the UK argument along with Advocate General Lord Wallace - a former Scottish deputy first minister - and Scotland Office minister David Mundell. |
| In support of its case, the UK government has published in full the legal opinion it received on the international law aspects of Scottish independence. | |
| The experts consulted by Whitehall, Prof James Crawford of Cambridge University and Prof Alan Boyle of Edinburgh University, concluded that Scotland would become a new state after independence. | The experts consulted by Whitehall, Prof James Crawford of Cambridge University and Prof Alan Boyle of Edinburgh University, concluded that Scotland would become a new state after independence. |
| They said the remainder of the UK would be considered the "continuing state" under international law. | They said the remainder of the UK would be considered the "continuing state" under international law. |
| Alistair Darling of the Better Together campaign welcomed publication of the views of Prof Crawford and Prof Boyle. | Alistair Darling of the Better Together campaign welcomed publication of the views of Prof Crawford and Prof Boyle. |
| He said: "This is a formidable legal opinion from two internationally respected lawyers. | He said: "This is a formidable legal opinion from two internationally respected lawyers. |
| "Their opinions have to be taken very seriously and they just can't just be dismissed by the nationalists." | "Their opinions have to be taken very seriously and they just can't just be dismissed by the nationalists." |
| The Scottish government has pointed out that other lawyers have taken a different view and claimed the legal opinion does not help the case for the Union. | The Scottish government has pointed out that other lawyers have taken a different view and claimed the legal opinion does not help the case for the Union. |
| Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "For the UK government to argue that the UK will be a 'continuing state' and that an independent Scotland would have no rights betrays a near colonial attitude to Scotland's position as a nation and gives lie to any suggestion that they see Scotland as an equal partner in the UK. | Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "For the UK government to argue that the UK will be a 'continuing state' and that an independent Scotland would have no rights betrays a near colonial attitude to Scotland's position as a nation and gives lie to any suggestion that they see Scotland as an equal partner in the UK. |
| "It also raises a very important question for the UK government - if they are prepared to lay claim to the assets of the UK are they also prepared to take on all of its liabilities, such as the UK national debt?" | "It also raises a very important question for the UK government - if they are prepared to lay claim to the assets of the UK are they also prepared to take on all of its liabilities, such as the UK national debt?" |
| Currency union | Currency union |
| Meanwhile, the Fiscal Commission Working Group (FCWG) established by the Scottish government is to publish its paper on the monetary framework for an independent Scotland. | Meanwhile, the Fiscal Commission Working Group (FCWG) established by the Scottish government is to publish its paper on the monetary framework for an independent Scotland. |
| Chaired by Crawford Beveridge, its role is to advise the Scottish government on monetary policy, financial stability and fiscal policy. | Chaired by Crawford Beveridge, its role is to advise the Scottish government on monetary policy, financial stability and fiscal policy. |
| The FCWG is expected to support the idea of an independent Scotland retaining Sterling as its currency. | The FCWG is expected to support the idea of an independent Scotland retaining Sterling as its currency. |
| The Scottish government is publishing a White Paper outlining the substantive case for independence towards the end of the year. | The Scottish government is publishing a White Paper outlining the substantive case for independence towards the end of the year. |
| A bill setting out the terms of the autumn 2014 referendum - including the precise date - is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament in March. | A bill setting out the terms of the autumn 2014 referendum - including the precise date - is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament in March. |