Scotland claims on national treasure fuel independence row

Debt, North Sea oil and the pound sterling are just some of the economic issues pitting Edinburgh against London ahead of Scotland's independence referendum in one month's time. First Minister Alex Salmond, the nationalist leader, insists Scotland must receive a favourable share of common goods in the event of a divorce, providing a base for the country to build a prosperous future on its own terms. But the leaders of Britain's three main parties -- the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats -- have all warned that an independent Scotland would face economic hardship. They have promised fresh powers for Scots if they vote to stay in the 307-year-long union. However, the links with the rest of the United Kingdom are so strong that any breakaway is bound to involve some pain as the parliaments in London and Edinburgh thrash out the terms. ‘There could be a long period of negotiations between the governments of Westminster and Holyrood on important issues, such as the sharing of public debt, regulation of Scottish banks and the currency question,’ said Jack Allen, from research company Capital Economics, according to AFP.