The European Union will not help Nicola Sturgeon “dismantle” the United Kingdom by holding negotiations over Scottish membership, France’s foreign minister has said as she refused to consider other options.

Jean-Marc Ayrault said the EU should not discuss future membership with Scotland while it is still part of the UK because "Europe should in no case contribute to the dismantling of nations."

He told France-2 television that "you have to respect the history" of each of the 28 EU member states and let them decide their futures, instead of holding negotiations with one part such as Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon yesterday told MSPs that she wanted Scottish membership to be “on the table” when talks between the UK Government and the EU start.

But a series of experts including Sir David Edward, a member of an expert panel set up by the First Minister to advise her on Brexit, warned a Holyrood inquiry that the UK would also find it impossible to negotiate this.

He said that “all sorts of complications arise”, such as customs duties on goods travelling between Scotland and England, before later raising the prospect of an independent Scotland starting life outside the EU.

Sir David, a former European Court judge, told the BBC that he did not think it possible for Scotland to vote for independence and get EU membership within the two-year timetable for Brexit negotiations to be completed.