In an interview with AFP London School of Economics Professor Begg detailed Scotland’s options as the Brexit process evolves. He said: ”Scotland could request a special solution similar to Northern Ireland.” The Withdrawal Agreement provides that Northern Ireland will effectively remain in a customs union with the EU.

However, there may not be enough time to extend this regulation to Scotland, the professorial research fellow admitted.

He also poured cold water on Nicola Sturgeons enthusiasm for a rejuvenated Scotland in a post independence scenario.

He said: ”The Scottish budget is overall subsidised by London.”

He also maintained that Scotland is now economically dependent of England as income from North Sea oil is dwindling.

The economist insisted that the most important export market for Scottish goods is not the EU, but England.

In addition, the Scottish National Party (SNP) wants to keep the British pound, which would mean a monetary policy problem after independence.

Mr Begg outlined the challenges of an independent Scotland joining the EU when he pointed out that even if the Scots were optimistic that they would be able to return to the EU quickly after independence, an accession process would take years.

He said: “This is especially since Brussels wants to avoid the impression that they had a positive view towards independence in the face of separatists in Flanders and Catalonia”.

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The last thing the EU wish to promote is the bolstering of small independence movement through out Europe.

They fear the ”chaos like in Catalonia” that Scottish independence may encourage.

Nicola Sturgeon is aiming for another referendum on Scotland’s independence, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to allow it.

Mrs Sturgeon has so far ruled out a referendum completely against the will of London.

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Mr Begg suggests that this may be because she does not want to emulate what enfold after the Catalonian elections.

He said: “Maybe she is deterred by the chaos in Catalonia.”

Although she could get permission from the highest British court and hold the referendum without Johnson’s blessing, “this is unchartered territory in constitutional law”.

Mr Begg predicted the conflict between Edinburgh and London will probably be symbolic for the foreseeable future.

In 2014, the Scots had spoken against independence with 55 to 45 percent.

However, Sturgeon believes that the situation has changed as a result of Brexit because the majority of the Scots voted to remain in 2016.

Mr Begg, who is Scottish himself, sees it differently, he said: “The SNP won only 45 percent of the Scottish votes in the current election.”

There can therefore be no talk of a new majority for independence.

The Scottish first minister said she was “appalled” by the decision of Spain’s Supreme Court to convict Catalan politicians and activists following their bid to win independence in 2017.

In a verdict given by a Spanish court in October, nine separatist leaders were handed prison sentences of between nine to 13 years for their roles in the move to secede.

Mrs Sturgeon said that the future of Catalonia should be decided at the ballot box, not in the courts.

“I am appalled by today’s outcome,” said Sturgeon in reaction to the judgment.

“These politicians have been jailed for seeking to allow the people of Catalonia to peacefully choose their own future. Any political system that leads to such a dreadful outcome needs urgent change.

“The future of Catalonia should be decided through the ballot box, not in the courts.”

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