Laura Muir could soon be competing for Scotland rather than Great Britain in major competitions if Scottish Athletics are successful in an astonishing bid for independence.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the mediation designed to secure peace in the current political crisis in British Athletics has collapsed, with Scotland taking the first steps in pursuing a historic breakaway that is being regarded by senior figures as a test case for post-Brexit Britain.

A huge political row erupted inside the sport when UK Athletics chairman Richard Bowker proposed a plan that would have seen UKA essentially absorb England Athletics at their joint headquarters in Birmingham to cut costs.

Laura Muir could compete for Scotland instead of Great Britain in future major competitions

It resulted, Sportsmail revealed, in the home nations on the UKA Members Council calling for the board to remove Bowker as chairman and came in the wake of the sudden resignation of chief executive Niels de Vos.

The first attempt at mediation occurred on Tuesday this week but it resulted in Scotland and Wales withdrawing from the process because they remain fiercely opposed to Bowker's leadership. This comes amid legitimate concerns that they would be severely marginalised by a UKA-England Athletics merger.

European sources have confirmed the move has now been followed by Scottish Athletics writing to European Athletics requesting a motion for their independence at congress in Prague in April 2019.

It is understood that the letter has been signed by SA chairman Ian Beattie and chief executive Mark Munro and has been sent with the backing of the Scottish Government.

Scottish Athletics have written to European Athletics requesting for a motion of independence

European Athletics have responded by telling them that they must first receive the backing of UKA, the IAAF and possibly even the IOC. It was unclear on Saturday night if Scottish Athletics has also contacted the global governing bodies.

On Saturday Beattie, who represents Scotland on the UKA Members Council, said: 'As part of our new strategy that we’ve just launched one of our desires is to seek more international opportunities for Scotland.'

There is a precedent in team sports like football, where the home nations compete independently. In the past, the home nations were allowed to compete under their own banners in events like the world cross-country championships, despite being an IAAF event.

Scottish Athletics certainly appears determined to challenge the constitution of European Athletics in a move that has huge geo-political implications as Britain heads for Brexit.

Muir finished the 2018 season as the No 1 ranked female 1500m runner in September

Bowker's position looks increasingly untenable despite his apparent determination to cling to power.

Scotland and Wales will now continue the debate at the Members Council AGM on December 14 with Scotland also looking to continue their bid for independence at the IAAF Congress in Doha in September 2019.

If they are successful, a natural step could then be to push for a Scottish Olympic team in Tokyo in 2020, although that would be a complex issue to resolve.