Salmond congratulated by Brown

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6667169.stm

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Prime minister in waiting Gordon Brown has congratulated SNP leader Alex Salmond on becoming Scotland's first minister.

But Mr Brown stressed that he remained committed to the union.

He was speaking after it emerged he will be unchallenged for the leadership of the Labour Party when Prime Minister Tony Blair steps down next month.

Mr Salmond welcomed the comments and said he hoped they would work constructively for Scotland's future.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Mr Brown said that while he respected the decision of the people in the recent Scottish Parliament elections, two thirds of those who voted had not backed the Nationalists.

Mr Brown was asked if he had congratulated the SNP leader on his new appointment.

He replied: "I congratulate him on becoming first minister, I think he has been congratulated by our secretary of state for Scotland.

I do not believe that the vote at the Scottish elections was a vote for separation Gordon BrownChancellor

"I think it's a huge responsibility that he has taken on."

However, Mr Brown said that although Mr Salmond's SNP was the leading party in terms of Holyrood seats, it did not have an overall majority.

As a result of that he added the Nationalist leader would therefore "have to consider how he is going to govern in the interests of the people of Scotland".

He continued: "I do not believe that the vote at the Scottish elections was a vote for separation or for independence and I think it's true that two thirds of those who voted, voted against the option of having a separate or independent Scotland.

"I have a duty to put forward what I think is not just the view of myself but the view of the Scottish and British people on that matter."

Speaking during his first formal official engagement on a visit to the Longannet power station in Fife, Mr Salmond said: "I look forward to speaking to Gordon, and as soon as he is officially in office I'm sure he'll give me a ring and we'll set up a meeting and we'll hopefully work constructively for the future of Scotland.

"Now that the dust is settling I'm quite sure that Gordon, like I, puts the Scottish interest among our paramount concerns and that we will work together in the Scottish interest."