ROYAL Bank of Scotland chairman, Sir Philip Hampton, has put more pressure on Alex Salmond by hammering home the institution's need for clarity on what independence would mean for its future plans.

Sir Philip said in a speech the part-state owned bank would "try to achieve clarity for what independence might mean". Finance Secretary John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont were among the guests at the function in Edinburgh.

It came as the First Minister faced further problems over his claims Scotland's would automatically remain in the EU if it split from the rest of the UK.

EC Vice-President Viviane Reding has backed Spanish claims suggesting a newly independent country would have to apply for membership.

Sir Philip's comments chime with those of other senior business leaders who have called for more detail on what independence would involve.

In the context of the current debate, Sir Philip underlined the importance of the location of headquarters to financial markets' perception of banks.

While Sir Philip said he would "hope and expect" RBS would "be able to remain" a flagship, Scottish-headquartered business, he said: "From a business point of view, domicile is always important to banks and to the market perception of banks."

However, Sir Philip did emphasise RBS's "complete political neutrality" in the debate. He said: "There is no position that would be appropriate to us."

Highlighting RBS's status as Scotland's largest private sector employer, Sir Philip said: "Nearly all of our board meetings take place here. The bank is very proud of our historic links with Scotland.

"We are important to Scotland. Scotland is very important to us, both for the history and the future."