Separatist leader Alex Salmond insisted that Scotland would keep the pound if it left the UK and accused British politicians of bluffing by ruling out a currency union in a campaign of fear that would provoke a backlash from Scots.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible for an independent Scotland to join the European Union. Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr he said an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.
Oil giant BP boss Bob Dudley has warned there are big uncertainties for the company over the possibility of Scotland becoming independent. Mr Dudley told the BBC the question mark over which currency Scotland might adopt if there was a 'yes' vote in September's referendum was a concern.
Scottish leader Alex Salmond unveiled on Tuesday what he called a “mission statement” for the country’s future: a 649-page paper detailing many of the terms for an independent Scotland. The country’s first minister released his Scottish National Party’s so-called white paper ahead of a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom set for next September.
First Minister Alex Salmond set a historical vote in motion announcing on Thursday the date for a referendum on Scottish independence, 18 September 2014 and promising to campaign hard for the “Yes” side. The simple question reads: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
A referendum on Scottish independence will take place before the end of 2014 following an agreement signed on Monday by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish leader Alex Salmond.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said his planned referendum on independence will ask a simple question on whether the country should go it alone, though he didn’t rule out a third option of more power within the UK
British Prime Minister David Cameron offered on Sunday to hold talks with Scottish leader Alex Salmond to thrash out their differences over arrangements for a referendum on Scottish independence that could lead to a break-up of the United Kingdom.
UK government will not move to block a referendum on Scottish independence, the Secretary of State for Scotland Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore has said adding constitutional questions raised about the rights or wrongs of holding a vote would not be raised.