Alex Salmond suggests an independent Scotland could negotiate to stay in EU before UK exit

Alex Salmond has suggested Scots could back independence and agree terms of EU membership within the time-frame for the UK leaving after a vote for Brexit.

If the UK votes to leave the EU, Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the process by which a country leaves the EU, would be triggered immediately.

It would give the UK two years to negotiate the terms of exit from the union.

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In an ITV interview Salmond was asked whether leaving the EU would lead to Scottish independence and whether Scotland could remain a member of the EU.

Mr Salmond replied: “I think that the answer to both questions is yes.

"Yes, because if you go back 18 months to the Scottish referendum, one of the big arguments that David Cameron was making was ‘look, you are going to jeopardise Scotland’s position in the European Union’.

"It sounds a bit ironic now, but that was what was being said. So the circumstances have changed if that situation came about.

“And secondly, and importantly, there’s a mandate for it. Because Nicola Sturgeon made it quite clear last year during the general election that that would be her approach and her policy.

"And that resulted in a huge endorsement for the SNP: 56 out of 59 seats. So the mandate’s there and the rationale is there."

He added: “Could it happen practically? Well I think the answer to that is yes as well. Why? Because... if the UK votes out there’s a two-year period under the Lisbon treaty.

“And what would happen then is Scotland would negotiate its position, and effectively Scotland would just stay in, and the rest of the UK would move out. So I think it’s a yes to both questions.”

Mr Salmond, who earlier this month called on UKIP leader Nigel Farage to debate Britain’s membership of the EU, challenged Boris Johnson to a similar event.

The SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman said Johnson was a “formidable guy”, but insisted he would have no qualms holding a one-on-one debate with the London mayor.

“The case for Europe should be strong enough to withstand Boris. If Europe’s a really important thing, as I believe it is, then it’s capable of withstanding the assault of Boris Johnson,” he said.