Scottish independence: ‘Very unwise’ to claim referendum deal is done

ALEX Salmond has suggested the UK Government jumped the gun over a deal on the independence referendum, warning it would be “very unwise” to say an agreement had been reached until one was actually in place.

• First Minister plays down reports of an agreement over the independence referendum

• Alex Salmond to meet David Cameron on Monday

• Prime Minister vows to fight for Union in conference speech

Mr Salmond’s comments came after Scotland Office Minister, David Mundell, who has been involved in the negotiations, said there will be one referendum question and confirmed the vote will be held before the end of 2014.

The comments came during an interview at the Tory conference.

The First Minister said that party conferences were “excitable places” as he insisted that there were still areas of disagreement between the UK and Scottish governments ahead of a meeting between David Cameron and Alex Salmond expected on Monday.

Mr Salmond said: “We’re at the stage where we’re close to an agreement, but it’s not done yet. It would be very unwise to say there was an agreement when one’s not been made yet.

“I appreciate that political conferences are excitable places, but it’s not at all sensible politics to announce an agreement before it has been made. We’re hopeful of an agreement, but there are still a couple of issues.

“The best thing to do is to wait until Monday’s discussions and work towards having an agreement.

“But an agreement isn’t an agreement until it has been agreed.

Speech

His comments came as Mr Cameron used his speech to the Conservative conference to promise to campaign against Scottish independence with “everything we’ve got”.

In his speech to the Conservative Party conference, Mr Cameron asked: “What could matter more than saving our United Kingdom?”

The referendum ballot paper is expected to have a single Yes/No question on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom.

It is also expected that the agreement will make provisions for 16-year-olds in Scotland to vote in the referendum.

Mr Cameron told activists in Birmingham that the Olympics had highlighted the depth of feeling for the United Kingdom.

“Whether our athletes were English, Scottish, Welsh or from Northern Ireland, they draped themselves in one flag.

“Now, there’s one person who didn’t like that and he’s called Alex Salmond.

“I’m going to see him on Monday to sort out that referendum on independence by the end of 2014.

“There are many things I want this coalition Government to do but what could matter more than saving our United Kingdom?

“Let’s say it: we’re better together and we’ll rise together - and let us fight that referendum with everything we’ve got.”

• In full: David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative Party conference

Scottish independence: ‘Very unwise’ to claim referendum deal is done - Alex Salmond