A MAJOR French news channel with millions of viewers invited Scottish politicians to discuss the issue of Scotland's independence.

France 24 host of Talking Europe Catherine Nicholson had SNP MP Alyn Smith and Scottish Tory MSP Dean Lockhart on to debate what she called a "European nation" that could "make a big difference to the map and future of Europe, Scotland".

Following a summary of the main points on the independence debate and a report that talked to Scots on both sides of it, Nicholson put it to Lockhart, regional MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, that Brexit "was not the will of the Scottish people".

Lockhart responded that the UK was the member state and accepted that Brexit has caused some disruptions but warned that "would be absolutely nothing" compared to Scotland "being removed" from the UK on an economic and financial basis.

He added that the SNP and people who believe in independence "just haven't made that case" for Scotland leaving the UK 

Smith said: "We're not having the referendum tomorrow. We can't simultaneously be having it tomorrow but we've not made the case.

"In 2014 we did the white paper which was a really well worked out document that allowed the people of Scotland to test the prospectus for what an independent Scotland would look like. We'll do exactly the same again next time around. And that underlines my point - we're not doing it tomorrow. We can't do it tomorrow, we need to have a clearly agreed legislative, legally binding referendum, agreed with the UK Government, a constitutional process.

"Getting back into the EU single market will put rocket boosters under our recovery. There will be a more significant border at Carlisle, but it'll look more like Calais than anything else, but we'll be able to say exactly to the people of Scotland and businesses what it'll be."

Smith went onto say that the border would be more for goods while keeping a common travel area for people.

He said that services are "far, far more" significant to the Scottish economy and the future relationship with the EU will be important in determining this part of the economy.

Lockhart brought the topic onto economics and the question of what currency an independent Scotland would use saying that the SNP does not have a "credible answer" on this and other economic issues.

The Tory MSP said "of course, Scotland could go independent" but said it would make the nation "economically weaker" and less relevant on the global stage". He also accepted that Scotland could "potentially" rejoin the EU.

Smith responded simply by saying "change happens" and added that the case for independence will be put to the Scottish people "at the proper time".

READ MORE: Benefits and risks of Scotland having a new currency need to be explained

Pressed on what currency Scotland would use by Nicholson, Smith said: "Our position is that we will continue to use Sterling, we'll make payments as a solidarity payment in terms of the UK national debt.

"As the economics become clearer, we'll make the decision in the fullness of time about what the best situation for Scotland is going to be. So there are some questions to which we can say we'll know that at the proper time, which underlines my point that we're not having an independence referendum tomorrow."

Nicholson then moved onto the question of a hard border between Scotland and England, saying that people in border areas told France 24 that a border would "hamper" many parts of their lives.

Smith said there had been a lot of "scaremongering" about the potential of a hard border and highlighted areas where the EU already has borders with non-member states, including the border between the UK and Calais, Sweden and Norway as well as external borders.

He continued: "The UK is going through a masterclass in the last four years about how borders work - not least across the island of Ireland where the Conservative government has really played fast and loose with this stuff."

He added that the 96 mile (154km) long Scotland-England border is easily manageable with only very few crossing places and it won't apply to people due to the common travel area. 

Smith acknowledged that it will be a more significant border for goods and services due to it "sadly" being an external EU border as the Stirling MP said he would like to see the UK rejoin the bloc.

Lockhart said it would not be for Scotland to decide on the conditions of the border as that decision would apparently be taken by the UK Government and the EU Commission.

The Mid Scotland and Fife regional MSP dodged a question about whether the question of a referendum would be decided in a court challenge, instead talking about the coronavirus pandemic and education as being the priorities for Scotland.

READ MORE: Holyrood-run indyref2 may be deemed legal by Supreme Court, former Tory MSP says

He then went onto say that there is "no democratic mandate for the SNP to hold another independence referendum" despite there being a pro-indy majority in Holyrood.

Smith responded to Lockhart by saying: "There is no question that there is a mandate, democratically and legal for an independence referendum in Scotland. It's a question of when not if. Dean's party lost the election significantly and only really exist in our parliament by virtue of our modern proportionate system. We won 85% of the constituency seats in the Scottish Parliament. There is no question there's a mandate.

"It's not happening tomorrow, but I'm very confident that our pro-European sentiment in Scotland and the real-world advantages of rejoining the EU will very, very significantly boost our case for independence."

You can watch part one of the debate HERE and part two can be found HERE.