The Scottish government suggests Europeans will understand it has a “special” case to be given EU membership as soon as possible if Scots vote for independence before Britain quits the bloc, Michael Russel said.

Speaking in Brussels after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her plans for the second independence referendum before Brexit in 2019, Michael Russell (pictured) said any option for Scotland staying in the European Union when the UK left would be a matter for later discussion.

But, whatever happens, the nationalist government in Edinburgh would want to be out of the EU for “the shortest possible time”, Russell, Scotland’s Brexit minister, said.