Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP has challenged Alex Salmond to provide the facts about separation to key bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS), CBI Scotland and the Law Society of Scotland.
With just a year until the referendum vote, the First Minister has yet to provide key answers on pensions, business and legal issues.
Speaking after today’s Scottish Government debate – “Scotland’s Future” – Ruth said:
“I expect to be shouted down by the SNP and flannelled when asking questions the First Minister doesn’t want to answer because that’s politics.
“What is unacceptable, is for independent experts and trade organisations genuinely seeking answers about the consequences of independence to be stonewalled.
“Scotland’s chartered accountants deserve to get a full and considered response on how cross border pension arrangements would work under independence – not just a blind assertion that Europe will just change the rules because Alex Salmond says so.
“The CBI, who called for answers to 170 questions on what impact independence would have on the business community, deserve answers.
“And, the Law of Society of Scotland deserves to know exactly how a Scottish Supreme Court would work in practise or what legal advice exists regarding an independent Scotland’s place in the EU.
“Until now, these questions and those from many other groups and individuals across the country have been disregarded with the kneejerk response that all will be revealed in the SNP’s White Paper.
“The people of Scotland are facing their biggest decision for 300 years and deserve more information on the proposition which is being put to them.
“The SNP has set the bar high for their forthcoming White Paper, they now have to deliver.”
