Big guns at dawn as Yes and No men wield their papers

The battle over Scotland’s future will step up a gear today as the UK and Scottish governments publish separate papers on what would happen if the nation became independent.

The coalition at Westminster is due to make the unusual move of unveiling the full legal advice it has received on Britain’s EU status in the event of a “yes” vote in next year’s referendum.

It will try to cast fresh doubt on SNP claims that Scotland would automatically remain part of the EU, in the first of a series of about a dozen reports Whitehall departments are preparing on the independence debate. Meanwhile, the SNP administration will simultaneously produce a paper today on the benefits of retaining sterling as the currency after independence.

For the full story, pick up a copy of today’s Press and Journal or read our digital edition now