Blow for 'No' campaign as ESRC says Scotland would stay

A farm outbuilding has graffiti written on the side of it near to Bannockburn in Stirling. A poll by YouGov at the weekend showed the independence campaign gained a lead for the first time this year

Martin Kayne

It is unlikely that an independent Scotland would be cut off from the rights and obligations of EU membership for any period of time, according to a leading British research body.

In what will be seen as a significant blow to those campaigning for a No vote in next month's referendum, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) found that although it is likely that it would have to apply through the accession process for new members, EU membership for independent Scotland is not in any serious doubt.