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Scotland to hold independence poll in 2014 - Salmond Scotland to hold independence poll in 2014 - Salmond
(40 minutes later)
Scotland plans to hold an independence referendum in the autumn of 2014, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.Scotland plans to hold an independence referendum in the autumn of 2014, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
He said this date would allow the Scottish people to make a "considered" decision on Scotland's future within the United Kingdom.He said this date would allow the Scottish people to make a "considered" decision on Scotland's future within the United Kingdom.
The news came as the UK government said a referendum would be unconstitutional without its authority.The news came as the UK government said a referendum would be unconstitutional without its authority.
It has said it wanted to work with the SNP-led administration amid a row over the timing and conditions for a poll.It has said it wanted to work with the SNP-led administration amid a row over the timing and conditions for a poll.
Confirming the Scottish government's preferred date for a referendum, Mr Salmond - who wants Scotland to separate from the rest of the UK - said the Scottish people faced "their most important decision for 300 years".Confirming the Scottish government's preferred date for a referendum, Mr Salmond - who wants Scotland to separate from the rest of the UK - said the Scottish people faced "their most important decision for 300 years".
Holding a poll in 2014 would allow all the necessary legislation required to authorise it to be passed and for proper preparations to be made, he said.Holding a poll in 2014 would allow all the necessary legislation required to authorise it to be passed and for proper preparations to be made, he said.
"The date will allow people to hear all of the arguments," he told Sky News. "Autumn 2014 is the date which offers the opportunity for Scotland to have a considered referendum." Mr Salmond added: "The date for the referendum has to be the autumn of 2014. That's because this is the biggest decision that Scotland has made for 300 years. If you are going to do things properly and have the debate in the way it must be had then that is the date that we are going to move towards."
The referendum had "to be made in Scotland" and be approved by the Scottish Parliament and he warned the UK government about "trying to pull the strings behind the scenes".The referendum had "to be made in Scotland" and be approved by the Scottish Parliament and he warned the UK government about "trying to pull the strings behind the scenes".
"What Scotland objects to is all the strings they (the UK government) are trying to to attach. They are trying to run a referendum by proxy." He said: "What Scotland objects to is all the strings they (the UK government) are trying to to attach. They are trying to run a referendum by proxy."
Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that uncertainty over Scotland's future is damaging its economy and all three Unionist Parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have called for any referendum vote to be held as soon as possible. Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that uncertainty over Scotland's future is damaging its economy and all three Unionist parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have called for any referendum vote to be held as soon as possible.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has said the Scottish government cannot authorise a referendum on its own and that the UK government is willing to devolve the authority for it do so but only if the referendum is "legal, decisive and fair". Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has said the Scottish government could not authorise a referendum on its own and that the UK government was willing to devolve the authority for it do so but only if the referendum was "legal, decisive and fair".
He told MPs: "The consultation paper I am publishing today sets out different ways to deliver a legal, fair and decisive referendum.
"It explains how the powers for a referendum could be devolved under the Section 30 order-making provisions in the Scotland Act 1998 - our preferred approach.
"It also invites views on devolving the powers using other legislation, including the current Scotland Bill, and for opinions on the possibility of running the referendum directly.
"Given the clear legal problem that exists, we want to work with the Scottish government to provide the answer.
"This is not about the mandates of Scotland's two governments, or who calls the shots. It is about empowering the people of Scotland to participate in a legal referendum. That means that the UK government is willing to give the Scottish Parliament the powers to hold a referendum which they otherwise cannot do legally."