Still, if that veto succeeded, it would be open to the UK government to revive the clarity clause as a full-scale bill, potentially defying any further attempt by the Scottish government to challenge their mandate.
At this stage, Scottish ministers are rather inclined to say: "You can't fool me. There ain't no clarity clause."
They suspect, with some justice, that UK ministers are at least partly trying to draw responses from others: specifically, to bring Labour out to play on the side of the union, in compact with the UK government; and to oblige Mr Salmond to offer concessions on timing and content.
But, beyond that, the UK government notes that Scottish independence would not solely impact upon Scotland.
It would have consequences for the rest of the UK - and that, consequently, they argue that Her Majesty's UK ministers are entitled, indeed obliged, to take a passing interest in the topic.
Things remain rather fluid for now.
Each side is trying to blame the other. It's like Groucho passing over the restaurant bill to Margaret Dumont: "Nine dollars and forty cents! That's an outrage! If I were you, I wouldn't pay it!"
Box Doccia
RO-120
Subject: Passing interest 
Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:11 am
