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| Alex Salmond insists on independence referendum mandate | Alex Salmond insists on independence referendum mandate |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted his government has a mandate to hold a referendum on independence in the autumn of 2014. | Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted his government has a mandate to hold a referendum on independence in the autumn of 2014. |
| It comes after ministers in London said such a move would be unlawful without Westminster's approval. | It comes after ministers in London said such a move would be unlawful without Westminster's approval. |
| But a spokesman for Mr Salmond said Scottish National Party ministers were "entirely confident" of their plans. | But a spokesman for Mr Salmond said Scottish National Party ministers were "entirely confident" of their plans. |
| The BBC's Nick Robinson says it could mean an historic Supreme Court struggle between Westminster and Holyrood. | |
| Mr Salmond said the timing would allow people to make a "considered" decision on the country's future within the UK. | Mr Salmond said the timing would allow people to make a "considered" decision on the country's future within the UK. |
| He said: "That's the first date where you can have a full discussion and preparation for the biggest decision Scotland is going to make for 300 years. | He said: "That's the first date where you can have a full discussion and preparation for the biggest decision Scotland is going to make for 300 years. |
| "I think you'll find the reaction of Scotland is that's a perfectly satisfactory date for the referendum. | "I think you'll find the reaction of Scotland is that's a perfectly satisfactory date for the referendum. |
| "It makes sure that everybody's voice is heard in the consultation and all the questions that people have about the different constitutional formats can be answered and then we can have a proper campaign and debate. | "It makes sure that everybody's voice is heard in the consultation and all the questions that people have about the different constitutional formats can be answered and then we can have a proper campaign and debate. |
| "We've been thinking about these things for some time. I don't think this will come as a great surprise to anyone and I think it will enjoy general support." | "We've been thinking about these things for some time. I don't think this will come as a great surprise to anyone and I think it will enjoy general support." |
| In a row that could become a constitutional crisis, Mr Salmond accused the UK government of adopting a belligerent attitude. | In a row that could become a constitutional crisis, Mr Salmond accused the UK government of adopting a belligerent attitude. |
| Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said he hoped to work with the SNP government to resolve the dispute. | Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said he hoped to work with the SNP government to resolve the dispute. |
| Mr Moore told the House of Commons that there would be a consultation on how to hold a referendum. | Mr Moore told the House of Commons that there would be a consultation on how to hold a referendum. |
| He has not stated when the coalition government would prefer a referendum to be held, but said he would like it to be "sooner rather than later". | He has not stated when the coalition government would prefer a referendum to be held, but said he would like it to be "sooner rather than later". |
| In a statement to MPs, Mr Moore said the government's "clear view" was that the power to hold a referendum was "reserved" to Westminster under devolution laws passed in 1998 and that the Scottish government could not authorise a referendum on its own. | In a statement to MPs, Mr Moore said the government's "clear view" was that the power to hold a referendum was "reserved" to Westminster under devolution laws passed in 1998 and that the Scottish government could not authorise a referendum on its own. |
| Mr Salmond said Westminster should "resist the temptation" to interfere in Scottish politics. | Mr Salmond said Westminster should "resist the temptation" to interfere in Scottish politics. |
| "I think the Westminster parties have got to start understanding - all Westminster politicians - that this has to be a referendum made, built, and run in Scotland," he said. | "I think the Westminster parties have got to start understanding - all Westminster politicians - that this has to be a referendum made, built, and run in Scotland," he said. |
| Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said announcing the preferred date was a "panicked response from a panicked first minister". | Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said announcing the preferred date was a "panicked response from a panicked first minister". |
| Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said the "key issues" were what the referendum question would be and who would oversee the vote. | Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said the "key issues" were what the referendum question would be and who would oversee the vote. |
| Mr Salmond's spokesman said: "The timetable we have set out enables a full debate to be held, all the issues to be discussed and we are extremely confident of achieving a successful result." | Mr Salmond's spokesman said: "The timetable we have set out enables a full debate to be held, all the issues to be discussed and we are extremely confident of achieving a successful result." |
| Under the Scottish government's timetable, a referendum bill would be introduced at Holyrood in January 2013, it would be expected to be passed by the autumn and gain Royal Assent later in 2013. | Under the Scottish government's timetable, a referendum bill would be introduced at Holyrood in January 2013, it would be expected to be passed by the autumn and gain Royal Assent later in 2013. |
| BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane says Mr Salmond's decision to announce the date of the referendum came out of the blue. | BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane says Mr Salmond's decision to announce the date of the referendum came out of the blue. |
| SNP ministers had been bristling at Prime Minister David Cameron's comments on the timing and legality of their plans since the weekend, our correspondent added. | SNP ministers had been bristling at Prime Minister David Cameron's comments on the timing and legality of their plans since the weekend, our correspondent added. |
| Big differences also remain between the two governments on the timing of the referendum, who would run it and on whether 16 and 17-year-olds could vote. | |