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Brown quizzed on referendum call Brown quizzed on referendum call
(9 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has failed to explicitly support Wendy Alexander's call for a referendum on Scottish independence.Gordon Brown has failed to explicitly support Wendy Alexander's call for a referendum on Scottish independence.
The Scottish Labour leader had urged the SNP to act now in order to end uncertainty over the country's future.The Scottish Labour leader had urged the SNP to act now in order to end uncertainty over the country's future.
But during Prime Minister's Questions at Westminster, Mr Brown denied that Ms Alexander had said she wanted an early referendum on the matter.But during Prime Minister's Questions at Westminster, Mr Brown denied that Ms Alexander had said she wanted an early referendum on the matter.
The Conservative leader David Cameron accused the prime minister of losing control over Scottish Labour.The Conservative leader David Cameron accused the prime minister of losing control over Scottish Labour.
Mr Brown told MPs he would wait for the independent Calman Commission on devolution to report back before making decisions.Mr Brown told MPs he would wait for the independent Calman Commission on devolution to report back before making decisions.
The response came after Mr Cameron asked if the prime minister agreed with Ms Alexander that there should be a referendum now on independence.The response came after Mr Cameron asked if the prime minister agreed with Ms Alexander that there should be a referendum now on independence.
'I don't fear the verdict of the Scottish people,' she told BBC Scotland on Sunday 'bring it on', what else could that possibly mean? David Cameron Conservative Party leader 'I don't fear the verdict of the Scottish people,' she told BBC Scotland on Sunday 'bring it on', what else could that possibly mean? David Cameron Conservative Party leader class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/briantaylor/2008/05/wheres_your_referendum_now.html">Read Brian Taylor's blog
Mr Brown answered by saying: "It is not what she has said".Mr Brown answered by saying: "It is not what she has said".
He added: "The Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the Labour Party have joined together to set up the Calman review, the commission on devolution, and I hope we can see progress on that commission and we will review that progress before we make any further decisions and I thought that was the policy of the Conservative Party who supported the commission."He added: "The Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the Labour Party have joined together to set up the Calman review, the commission on devolution, and I hope we can see progress on that commission and we will review that progress before we make any further decisions and I thought that was the policy of the Conservative Party who supported the commission."
Mr Cameron insisted that Mr Brown was "losing touch with reality".Mr Cameron insisted that Mr Brown was "losing touch with reality".
He then said to the Labour leader: "This is what Wendy Alexander said: 'I don't fear the verdict of the Scottish people,' she told BBC Scotland on Sunday 'bring it on', what else could that possibly mean?"He then said to the Labour leader: "This is what Wendy Alexander said: 'I don't fear the verdict of the Scottish people,' she told BBC Scotland on Sunday 'bring it on', what else could that possibly mean?"
Mr Brown said that what Ms Alexander was really pointing out was the "hollowness" of the SNP which had wanted independence immediately and now wanted to postpone a referendum until 2011.Mr Brown said that what Ms Alexander was really pointing out was the "hollowness" of the SNP which had wanted independence immediately and now wanted to postpone a referendum until 2011.
Wendy Alexander said it was time to end the uncertaintyWendy Alexander said it was time to end the uncertainty
He added: "And that was what she was pointing out and she was making it clear that what the SNP was doing was against their election manifesto." Scotland's SNP Government has said it would not be hurried into speeding up its plans for a 2010 referendum.He added: "And that was what she was pointing out and she was making it clear that what the SNP was doing was against their election manifesto." Scotland's SNP Government has said it would not be hurried into speeding up its plans for a 2010 referendum.
The country's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon questioned whether Ms Alexander was "a secret SNP member".The country's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon questioned whether Ms Alexander was "a secret SNP member".
Meanwhile, Ms Alexander's threat to bring forward her own referendum bill to Holyrood may fall at the first hurdle because of Scottish Parliament rules.Meanwhile, Ms Alexander's threat to bring forward her own referendum bill to Holyrood may fall at the first hurdle because of Scottish Parliament rules.
But MSPs proposing legislation need the support of 18 colleagues from at least two of the major parties.But MSPs proposing legislation need the support of 18 colleagues from at least two of the major parties.
The rules also state that the lawmaking process cannot be started if the Holyrood government of the day plans its own legislation on the same proposal within the parliament's four year term.The rules also state that the lawmaking process cannot be started if the Holyrood government of the day plans its own legislation on the same proposal within the parliament's four year term.
Labour MP Brian Donohoe said he wanted a referendum as soon as possible.Labour MP Brian Donohoe said he wanted a referendum as soon as possible.
The MP for Central Ayrshire said: "I think the people of Scotland have to determine whether or not we allow the situation to bubble on or whether or not we lance it as an issue right now and get on with running the economy of the country, which I think the public believe is more important."The MP for Central Ayrshire said: "I think the people of Scotland have to determine whether or not we allow the situation to bubble on or whether or not we lance it as an issue right now and get on with running the economy of the country, which I think the public believe is more important."