Aidan O’Neill, a barrister specialising in EU law, said Scottish and European law could be used to argue – given that the legal rights of expatriates might be affected by Scottish independence – that they were entitled to vote. He says that if a separate Scotland had to reapply for EU membership, expats may not officially hold EU citizenship and would lose out on rights and benefits.
The move has won support from Logan, Ian Gillies, who will become the first Scotsborn Lord Mayor of York in May and Rob McKellar, a councillor in Corby, one of the largest Scottish communities in England.
Former Scotland winger Logan said: “Everybody needs to commit to the legal action. We’ve got to raise enough money to make this happen.”
There are more than 750,000 Scots living in England, 22,500 in Wales and 15,000 in Northern Ireland.
In contrast, there are around 370,000 English people in Scotland, 32,000 Northern Irish and 15,000 Welsh.
The Scottish Government defended its plans, saying the franchise, based on residency, was in line with the 1997 devolution referendum.
News of the legal move came as a poll suggested support for a Yes vote is rising, with a five per cent swing towards those in favour of breaking up Britain.
The ICM survey showed that 37 per cent of people will vote Yes while 44 per cent intend to vote No.
Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/welsh-rugby-crisis-irb-not-6481350
Rugby hero Kenny Logan"s legal bid for right to vote in Scottish independence ...
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