GLASGOW, Scotland, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The Scottish government cannot legally hold a referendum on independence, a constitutional expert said Friday.
Adam Tomkins, who teaches at Glasgow University, submitted a paper to the British Parliament's select committee on Scottish Affairs, The Scotsman reported. He urged the British government to hold a referendum, run by the Electoral Commission.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party, said the last election, which gave his party an absolute majority in the Scottish Parliament, was a mandate for a referendum on independence. Tomkins disagrees.
"Scottish ministers do not speak for Scotland generally (either in law or in fact). In law they speak for Scotland on devolved matters," he said in his paper.
There have also been warnings about the financial consequences of independence if Scotland wants to join the European Union.
Under devolution, the Scottish government has control of most internal affairs, including education and healthcare. The British government remains responsible for the military, foreign affairs and national taxation.
