A GROUP of prominent lawyers has challenged the Scottish Government to admit it could not guarantee that an independent Scotland could share the pound or UK bodies such as the Bank of England.

In a letter to The Herald today, they welcome a statement by Brandon Malone, of the pro-independence Lawyers for Yes group, which argued the rest of the UK would be "accepted as the continuing state" if Scotland left the Union.

Calling on the Scottish Government to be "candid on the implications," they say: "If Scotland votes to leave the UK she votes to leave the UK's public institutions and the UK pound.

"Nothing the SNP or Yes Scotland say can guarantee an independent Scotland would be able to share those institutions or the UK currency."

Lawyers signing the letter include Professor Adam Tomkins, Richard Keen QC and Brian Fitzpatrick.