DAVID Cameron has indicated that he would back an independent Scotland's bid for European Union membership but not the fast-track approach favoured by Alex Salmond.

The First Minister believes that Scotland should become a full member of the Brussels bloc using an accelerated approach.

But experts say that the UK would have to help facilitate such a move.

Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, has argued that an independent Scotland would have to apply for EU membership, using the longer Article 49 route.

The Prime Minister made clear he would "absolutely" support an independent Scotland's bid for EU membership but added: "The EU have said very clearly Scotland would have to join the queue of other countries in order to rejoin."