An independent Scotland would have its own security service to fight international threats such as terrorism, cyber attacks and serious organised crime, the Deputy First Minister has told a Westminster Committee.
The current Scottish Government would seek to establish its own intelligence agency, while working closely with agencies in the rest of the UK, Nicola Sturgeon told the Foreign Affairs Committee at a meeting in Edinburgh.
Challenged on the cost of setting up such an organisation, Ms Sturgeon told the committee the Government is undertaking work covering the issues of set-up costs and running costs.
She said: "I would envisage Scotland having an independent domestic intelligence machinery in Scotland, sitting alongside our police service."
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