Swinney In London For Indy Committee

John Swinney will appear in front of a Westminster Committee to answer questions on Independence.

The finance secretary will be quizzed over Scotland's position in the EU, if theres a yes vote in 2014.

The president of the European Commission, Jose Barroso, said yesterday that it is ``obvious'' a newly independent state would need to apply for membership. 

``If a country becomes independent it is a new state and has to negotiate with the EU,'' he said. 

The comment prompted calls for early talks between the Scottish Government and the commission, which governs the EU, about the process of Scotland becoming independent after a Yes vote in 2014.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon argued that the real threat to membership comes from euro-sceptics at Westminster.