Stephen Gethins on what Gibraltar deal proves about Scotland in the EU

A hard border would not need to exist between an independent Scotland in the EU and the rest of the UK, a minister has said, after a special deal was struck for Gibraltar (Image: PA/Jane Barlow)

A UK-EU deal which has ended border controls between Remain-voting Gibraltar and Spain shows there would be no need for a hard border between an independent Scotland and England, a minister has said.

Scotland's Europe minister Stephen Gethins said Britain would be committing “an act of colossal self-harm” if it did not come to some sort of agreement with Scotland in the event the nation leaves the UK and joins the EU.