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Scottish Labour’s most senior Euro politician has heaped praise on Nicola Sturgeon and described her handling of Brexit as “top drawer”.

Scotland MEP David Martin also admitted he is no longer sure if it is “worth” fighting to keep Scotland in the UK.

The rare words of praise for the First Minister from a Labour opponent will be seen as a significant boost for the SNP, as Martin is Scotland’s longest serving parliamentarian.

Speaking on the Daily Record’s Scottish Politics Podcast, he said: “I have my differences, obviously, with the SNP Government - but not on Europe. I think the way that they have represented us in Europe has been from the top drawer.”

(Image: PA)

He singled out Sturgeon, Brexit Secretary Mike Russel and SNP MEP Alyn Smith for praise on how they have fought for Scotland’s place in Europe.

Martin added: “Whatever other domestic differences I have, in terms of the European debate I think they really have set an example that Westminster would do well to try and follow.”

He was speaking in Strasbourg on what was originally scheduled to be the UK’s last week of membership of the EU.

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The 64-year-old has represented Scotland in the European Parliament since 1984, making him the UK’s longest serving MEP.

Martin, who sits on Sturgeon’s cross party Standing Council on Europe, admitted he could end up backing Scottish independence in the aftermath of Brexit.

He voiced fears England is becoming an “insular” and “xenophobic” country and predicted leaving the EU would see it become a “declining economy”.

“If England really is going the way it appears to be going, I am not sure I want to be part of it,” he said.

He added: “Whether that is a case for Scottish independence or not depends on the relationship we have with the Europe Union because, ironically, the softer the Brexit the easier independence becomes.”

He echoed points made by SNP MEP Alyn Smith about the future border between an independent Scotland and England, saying: “If the UK has a very hard Brexit then it is hard to see how we could join the EU without having a border with the rest of the UK and we still do more of our trade and more of our business with the UK at the moment.”

But asked if he now supported independence “in his heart”, Martin added: “All my politics has been about bringing people together.

“So I have been in favour of the European Union and I have also been in favour of the UK union - but I am just wondering if that UK union is worth saving anymore.”

The UK has been given an unconditional extension for Brexit until April 12, or a longer one to May 22 in the unlikely event of the withdrawal agreement being ratified this week.