IN a pre-emptive boost for independence supporters, slapstick non-party movement, Scotland in Union, says it could replace Better Together as the lead designated campaigner for the no side in a new indyref.

In correspondence between the pro-union group, released under freedom of information by the Electoral Commission, Scotland In Union (SIU) said it was asked, “if we would see ourselves as potential lead designated campaign if there was another indyref”.

Alastair Cameron, the group’s boss, replied: “I said potentially, if the parties didn’t form another Better Together and at the moment there isn’t any other organisation like us, but I did say that if a larger and more organised campaign appeared, we might fold into it.”

The exchange was part of a SIU minute of meeting between the anti-independence group and the elections watchdog in June last year.

The minute also shows there was some difference of opinion over the purpose of the group.

Cameron writes that he confirmed with the commission that SIU “only need to report costs for activities which meet both the public and purpose tests”.

He added: “I explained that we do not view our long-running campaign to highlight the benefits of the UK as designed to influence election results”.

But, he notes, the Electoral Commission “said a person in the street would still see our activity as influencing the election, as ... our anti-indyref2 campaign influenced people away from the SNP.”