INDEPENDENCE Live has announced it will be hosting a virtual conference next month on the future of the military once independence has been achieved.

Entitled In Defence of Scotland – The future of the armed services in an independent Scotland, the virtual conference will take place on the afternoon of April 17.

Organised by Independence Live with support from Veterans for Scottish Independence 2.0, the conference will begin at 1pm. All proceeds will be going to Combat Stress and Poppy Scotland.

The full programme will be published on the Yes DIY page next Wednesday, but The National can reveal that topics to be discussed include a Veterans for Scottish Independence 2.0 Myth Busting Session.

Myths such as “veterans would only vote No” and “veterans swear allegiance to the United Kingdom” and other similar myths about veterans and the role of the armed services will be tackled in what is sure to be an entertaining and informative session which the organisers say will leave those many myths well and truly busted.

That session will be preceded by the showing of Phantom Power’s new film Military Journeys to Yes. It is a short film which the makers say will document how veterans have switched to voting Yes.

They said: “Although with many unique characteristics, veterans represent a cross section of Scottish society, and therefore many voters who previously voted No will support Scottish independence.”