THE Tories were last night facing a European backlash over a “dirty tricks” plan to ask Brussels to block Scotland’s membership of the EU as part of a war game strategy to scupper independence.
Neale Richmond, a Fine Gael TD and close political ally to former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, criticised the proposal and said Scotland would be a welcome new member.
“Scotland has been very good to Europe and we miss our Scottish friends dearly from the EU,” he said.
Richmond spoke out after a report, from political consultants, Hanbury, was leaked to Bloomberg, set out four main planks to stop independence following a poll last week which showed a record 58% of Scots now support independence.
The plans included:
- Asking EU for help to stop Scotland joining
- Keep delaying indyref2
- Make a new constitutional offer to Scotland with more powers for Holyrood, possibly on immigration
- Focus political attack on First Minister before 2021 poll
Richmond, who has been a fierce critic of Brexit, last month condemned Boris Johnson’s plan to override the EU withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol which the Dublin politician said would put the peace process at risk.
Asked about what he thought of the Tory plan to get the EU involved in blocking Scotland’s future membership, Richmond said: “Any country in Europe can apply to join the EU and if they meet the Copenhagen criteria then they will be admitted.
“If Scotland was to vote for independence and in turn apply to join the EU then I see no reason why the EU would not accept them in due course.
“From an Irish point of view, having another English speaking, common law jurisdiction with a similar outlook in the EU would be a very welcome thing.”
READ MORE: No-Deal Brexit: Scotland reacts to news UK and EU trade talks are 'over'
He added: “I do not see how the UK can expect the EU to block such a membership application. I don’t think the EU would take kindly to such a request, things may have been different in 2014 but the UK has left the EU, they have supposedly taken back control.”
Responding to the leaked memo, the SNP MP John Nicolson tweeted: “Love the idea that Boris Johnson’s Brexit Tories think they’ve enough capital in the chancelleries of Europe to get pro-EU, post independence Scotland excluded. They’re delusional.”
Scotland’s Brexit Minister, Michael Russell, wrote: “What a surprise ... It is the Tory way to try and do politics. Pay oodles to ‘political consultants’ and try any trick or deceit rather than listen to what the people of Scotland are saying.
“Particularly love the assumption in the leaked London Tory dirty tricks plan against Scotland that the EU will be happy to meekly do the UK’s bidding even after the way they have been treated during Brexit.
“Tory arrogant exceptionalism has no bounds.”
Pollsters believe rising support for independence is down to Johnson and the First Minister’s contrasting ways of handling the pandemic and their Brexit stances with Nicola Sturgeon’s views more in line with Scots after the country backed remain in 2016.
The 21-page memo was written by political consultants Hanbury, which was set up by Ameet Gill, former prime minister David Cameron’s one-time director of strategy, and Paul Stephenson, who was director of communications for pro-Brexit group Vote Leave.
One of the firm’s partners is James Kanagasooriam, who worked with the Scottish Conservatives on elections in 2016 and 2017.
A Cabinet Office spokesman declined to comment saying the document is not a government one.
The Scottish Conservatives were asked for a comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel