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AN INDEPENDENT Scotland could become a member of the European Union even if Spain wanted to block it, a law expert has revealed.

Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott said full statehood could be achieved if a majority, rather than a unanimity, of EU members, backed it.

Her view of the complex EU rule book removes the threat of a single country, such as Spain, being able to veto Scottish membership for their own domestic reasons.

Douglas-Scott, of Queen Mary University London, told Holyrood’s Europe Committee there was a way that Scotland could stay in without Spain’s blessing.

She said Scotland could carry out its own negotiations with Brussels while the UK was leaving the EU under the formal process known as article 50.

Scotland could then claim to be the “successor state” to the UK and be kept in by majority support after a Yes vote in an independence referendum.

Douglas-Scott said: “If Scotland, whether as successor state or with some other arrangement, wanted to proceed under the umbrella of article 50, it would be looking for a majority, rather than unanimity.

“But if Scotland was looking for recognition as a new independent state, there might be pressure to go to article 49, which is the accession procedure, and that requires unanimity.”

Last night, a Scottish Government source said: “This is an interesting

contribution. Many key players in Europe are indicating they are open to finding a solution for Scotland. And if an independence referendum is the chosen route, then this suggestion, or something like it, may well come into play.”

As the potential implications of the Brexit vote started to emerge last week, Nicola Sturgeon travelled to Brussels to drum up support for Scotland staying in the EU.

The First Minister met key figures, including the president of the European Parliament.

She was given a warm reception from politicians keen to hold the EU together while the UK unpicks its relationship with Brussels.

Scotland’s future in the bloc of 28 states was endorsed at the weekend by German economy minister Sigmar Gabriel, who is close to Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Gabriel told a German newspaper that the EU would certainly accept Scotland as a member in its own right after leaving the UK.

But Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy and others have threatened to block an easy route in for Scotland.

Rajoy has serious concerns that Catalan secessionists would seize on Scottish membership to back their case for leaving Spain.

Rajoy also ruled out talks with Scotland before article 50 is triggered.

He said: “I want to be very clear Scotland does not have the competence to negotiate with the European Union.

“Spain opposes any negotiation by anyone other than the Government of United Kingdom.”

Adam Tomkins, Scottish Conservative constitutional affairs spokesman, said: “It is far too soon to be talking even in hypotheticals about the procedures in European law by which an independent Scotland could become a member state of the EU.

“Scotland is not, and never has been, a member state. The UK is the member state, and continues to be so, notwithstanding this month’s referendum result.

“The clear focus of energy in Scotland now should be in playing a lead role in ensuring that the UK secures the best possible deal for its future relations with our European partners."