A SCOTTISH Tory MSP has been accused of spreading fake news about an independent Scotland’s prospects of joining the EU and Nato.

The SNP claimed that either Stephen Kerr was willfully promoting disinformation, or he was “simply displaying his own ignorance”.

The spat kicked off when the Conservative chief whip insisted Nicola Sturgeon’s party could not “pick and choose” what requirements Scotland would meet if it applied for membership of the EU and Nato after independence.

The SNP say they would aim to remove nuclear weapons from the Clyde and apply for Nato membership in the aftermath of a Yes vote.

The party also plans to rejoin the EU, retaining the pound initially before eventually establishing a new Scottish currency.

The First Minister reaffirmed her party’s defence position during a visit to the US on Monday, following the announcement that Finland and Sweden were applying to join Nato.

Kerr responded on Twitter: “Join the EU, but not the EURO … Join NATO, but reject Nuclear Weaponry.

“The SNP really don't get it, do they? These aren't just clubs for all-comers where you can pick and choose what you get.”

In response, critics pointed to examples of countries which have been members of the EU without adopting the euro, as well as countries without nuclear weapons that are part of Nato.

An SNP spokesperson replied: "Stephen Kerr is either deliberately spreading false information or simply displaying his own ignorance of the facts. The euro isn't used by every EU country and the vast majority of Nato members don't possess or host nuclear weapons."

The Scottish Conservatives have been approached for comment.

READ MORE: Unionist MSPs attack Nicola Sturgeon as she wins praise from Nancy Pelosi

There are currently eight countries in the EU which do not use the euro. All new members are obliged to commit to adopting the currency once certain criteria are met, but Brussels has no mechanism of enforcing the requirement.

However, some countries have been able to negotiate opt-outs. This is the case with Denmark and was the case with the UK before it left the bloc.

Out of 30 Nato members, only three have their own nuclear weapons – the UK, US and France. Others keep US nuclear weapons on their soil. But the majority have no weapons of mass destruction.

The question of an independent Scotland’s membership resurfaced following reports Sweden and Finland will be fast-tracked into the alliance.

The National: The SNP intend to rid Scotland of nuclear weaponsThe SNP intend to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons

Marc de Vore, professor of international relations at St Andrew’s University, told The National that the approval of the Nordic nations’ applications would make the organisation more “amenable” to Scotland joining after a Yes vote.

He said the argument that getting rid of the UK’s nuclear weapons from an independent Scotland would bar the country from Nato “does not hold water”.

“Most Nato states don’t have nuclear weapons and don’t have nuclear weapons on their territory,” he said.

“So there is absolutely no connection between nuclear weapon possession and Nato membership.

“Scotland could obviously get rid of its nuclear weapons and join Nato.”

During her visit to the US, Sturgeon said Nato membership would be a “cornerstone” of an independent Scotland’s security policy.

READ MORE: Boost for independent Scotland's Nato case as non-nuke countries fast-tracked

Speaking at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington DC, the First Minister said: “The party I lead, the Scottish National Party determined back in 2012 – at that time a reversal of a longstanding position – that should Scotland become independent it should seek membership of Nato.

“There is no doubt that the events of the last three months have strengthened my conviction that this position is absolutely the right and essential one.

“I am even more firm in my view today that, coupled with a strong relationship with the United Kingdom, membership of the European Union and membership of Nato will be cornerstones of an independent Scotland’s security policy.”

The SNP’s government partners, the Scottish Greens, are opposed to Nato membership.

The two parties signed a powersharing agreement last year, including the publication of a broad shared policy platform.

Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie told the Daily Record he did not see “any appetite” from Green members to change their longstanding opposition to the block, adding: “What I do see is a recognition that strategic cooperation is really important – that our peace and security depends on countries working together.

“One of the interesting things about the current crisis is it’s an attempt to show that coordinated concerted economic measures can be used as an alternative to military intervention.

“An institution like the EU is, in some ways, more critical than Nato in the immediate term.”