Scotland would be welcome in EU says Tusk

Former European Council president Donald Tusk has said Scotland would be welcomed into Europe "enthusiastically" if it won its independence back from London, but the process of rejoining would not be automatic or straight forward.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Tusk said he felt "very Scottish" following Brexit, adding that Scotland would be treated with "empathy" if it regained independence and looked for a place at the EU's table.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has signalled an intention to rejoin the European Union as a member as soon as UK government influence is removed from Scotland, however her opponents have said there is no guaranteed access to the bloc.

On Friday, German MEP and European Greens co-president Ska Keller told the PA news agency it would be "stupid" of the 27 EU member states to veto the membership of an independent Scotland.

The comments from Mr Tusk come after a YouGov poll found 51% support for independence - a majority for the first time in five years with this particular polling company.

However, a YouGov spokesperson said that although they concede there is a majority for independence, their survey suggests people didn't want it just now, "maybe in a wee while". This comes off the back of a loaded question regarding timing. Critics allege that the London pollsters regularly insert this question as a sort of safety clause to allow UK politicians some wriggle room should public opinion go against them.

Trust in UK polling firms has always been found wanting in Scotland, and this add-on to another suspiciously low poll only serves to strengthen that feeling.

Mr Tusk was initially reluctant to comment on Scotland's place in Europe, saying he would like to respect the "integrity" of the UK - a major issue during the Brexit campaign.

He said: "I want to stop myself from saying something too blunt.

"But sometimes I feel like I'm a Scot - I feel like I'm Scottish, especially after Brexit.

"But at the same time, I know how important the words sovereignty and integrity were in the internal debate in the United Kingdom.

"I feel like it is not my role to intervene."

However, he was invited to expand on his feelings towards an independent Scotland - and his thoughts on how other member states may react.

Mr Tusk said: "Emotionally I have no doubt that everyone will be enthusiastic here in Brussels, and more generally in Europe.

"If you ask me about our emotions, you will witness I think always empathy."

Despite his claims of countries welcoming Scotland in, Mr Tusk said there would still be a process of application for any country to re-enter the EU.

He said: "If something like, for example, the independence of Scotland happens, then we need a regular process.

"It would be a new process." However, he intimated that a way would be found to ensure Scotland, already a European nation in the political context for the last 40 plus years, would have a rapid accession back into the fold.

Speaking on the same show, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab suggested other EU countries dealing with independence movements could be against the inclusion of Scotland in the EU.

He said: "Given the secessionist, separatist tendencies in Spain, in France, in Italy, I'm not sure European leaders, let alone here in the UK, would actually welcome that kind of language."

In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 62% of Scottish voters voted to stay in the EU.

Mr Tusk's comments come just days after the UK left the European Union and the First Minister announced plans to "ramp up" the campaign for independence.