Court hearing over independent Scotland's position in the EU
Scottish Information Commissioner Rosemary Agnew is calling for a court hearing this week over the Scottish government’s lack of transparency.
The Scottish government has refused to reveal legal advice it has received on an independent Scotland’s place in Europe.
Agnew has cited Freedom of Information laws to ask for details on whether or not advice was given.
The government has appealed against her request, forcing the Information Commissioner to appear in court to ask that a decision on the appeal be made as soon as possible.
Agnew has argued that the information is in the public interest as it directly relates to the independence debate.
Alex Salmond, first minister of Scotland and head of the SNP, has hinted that he has received legal advice the will ensure Scotland’s place in the EU, but has refused to elaborate further at the moment.
Salmond has promised that all will be revealed in a 2013 white paper on the independence referendum, arguing that revealing the information earlier than that would be a breach of ministerial code.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Salmond said, “The ministerial code tells me I cannot reveal either legal advice, or even whether you have taken legal advice, without the consent of the law officer.”
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