Scottish National Party MEP Ian Hudghton has warned that Scotland risks becoming an economic minnow in Europe unless it gains independence.

Launching his "economic manifesto" on Friday, Hudghton said that the small European nations were the most
economically successful - and argued that Scotland needs full powers of independence in order to emulate their success.

"In both political and economic terms, the small nations are leading the European Union at the present time," he said.

"As Scotland looks on from the sidelines and languishes economically as part of the UK, countries the same size or smaller than Scotland are powering ahead."

He added that Irish success in Europe proved there was a direct connection between statehood and "clout" on the continent.

He also suggested that if Scotland did not gain independence its economy would soon be outstripped by the new EU accession states

"Ireland has caught up and overtaken Scotland. Eight of the ten new EU nations have higher economic growth rates than Scotland - how long before they overtake us as well?

"Without the powers to compete on an equal basis, Scotland risks being left behind."