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Alex Salmond insists on independence referendum mandate Alex Salmond insists on independence referendum mandate
(about 4 hours 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.  
It comes after ministers in London said such a move would be unlawful without Westminster's approval. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has said his government has a mandate to hold a referendum on independence in the autumn of 2014.
But a spokesman for Mr Salmond said Scottish National Party ministers were "entirely confident" of their plans. The UK government says Holyrood cannot legally go ahead without its authority.
But Mr Salmond said UK PM David Cameron had "no mandate" to set the rules and suggested he was doing so because he was "frightened" he would lose.
The BBC's Nick Robinson says it could mean an historic Supreme Court struggle between Westminster and Holyrood.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 2014 date 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. 'Not right'
"I think you'll find the reaction of Scotland is that's a perfectly satisfactory date for the referendum. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "not fair" to suggest he was worried he would lose if the referendum had only two options - to stay in the UK or leave it - which is the UK government's preference.
"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. He denied wanting a "get out clause" and said there was a "lot of opinion in Scotland" supporting a third option - increased financial powers for the Scottish government, short of full independence, known as "devo max".
"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." "I just don't think it's right and proper at this stage, before people have had a consultation on the referendum question or questions for the UK government to start ruling that out."
In a row that could become a constitutional crisis, Mr Salmond accused the UK government of adopting a belligerent attitude. "Why should we be excluding what is a legitimate point of view across Scotland?"
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said he hoped to work with the SNP government to resolve the dispute. "Perhaps the Westminster politicians are trying to set the ground rules, the timing, who votes, the questions because they are frightened they will lose it?"
Mr Moore told the House of Commons that there would be a consultation on how to hold a referendum. In a row that could become a constitutional crisis, Mr Salmond has accused the UK government of adopting a belligerent attitude.
'Sooner not later'
He said Mr Cameron's intervention had been "almost Thatcher-esque": "The idea that London knows best and was really operating in our best interest but wanted to set the ground rules for our referendum, despite the fact he's got no mandate whatsoever for doing so."
"The SNP won an overwhelming majority on the promise that we would offer the people a referendum on their own future, is it not entirely reasonable that that referendum ... is made in Scotland and decided by the Scottish people?"
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore says he hopes to work with the SNP government to resolve the dispute.
He told MPs on Tuesday 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. 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. Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said Mr Salmond's announcing the preferred date was a "panicked response from a panicked first minister".
"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".
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."
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. Big differences also remain between the Scottish and UK governments on the timing of the referendum, who would run it and on whether 16 and 17-year-olds could vote.
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.