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Scottish independence: Alex Salmond hits back over currency union Scottish independence: Alex Salmond hits back over currency union
(about 7 hours later)
The Scottish first minister has accused the three main UK parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" over their opposition to a currency union with an independent Scotland.The Scottish first minister has accused the three main UK parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" over their opposition to a currency union with an independent Scotland.
Alex Salmond was speaking after UK Chancellor George Osborne said a vote for Scottish independence would mean walking away from the pound.Alex Salmond was speaking after UK Chancellor George Osborne said a vote for Scottish independence would mean walking away from the pound.
Mr Osborne's position was echoed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.Mr Osborne's position was echoed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
But Mr Salmond said the move would "backfire spectacularly".But Mr Salmond said the move would "backfire spectacularly".
The referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September, with voters being asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"The referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September, with voters being asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
In a statement made in Edinburgh on Thursday morning, Mr Osborne said: "If Scotland walks away from the UK, it walks away from the UK pound."In a statement made in Edinburgh on Thursday morning, Mr Osborne said: "If Scotland walks away from the UK, it walks away from the UK pound."
It came after the senior civil servant at the Treasury, Sir Nicholas Macpherson, said currency unions were "fraught with difficulty". It came after the most senior civil servant at the Treasury, Sir Nicholas Macpherson, said currency unions were "fraught with difficulty".
Sir Nicholas "strongly" advised against a currency union with an independent Scotland "as currently proposed".Sir Nicholas "strongly" advised against a currency union with an independent Scotland "as currently proposed".
The Scottish government has argued that keeping the pound and the services of the Bank of England as part of a currency union under independence made sense for both Scotland and the rest of the UK.The Scottish government has argued that keeping the pound and the services of the Bank of England as part of a currency union under independence made sense for both Scotland and the rest of the UK.
But Mr Osborne, Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander all said they could not recommend such a plan.But Mr Osborne, Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander all said they could not recommend such a plan.
'New tax''New tax'
Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, Mr Salmond said the three pro-union politicians were guilty of "bluff because what they say now and what they say the day after a 'yes' vote are two entirely different things.Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, Mr Salmond said the three pro-union politicians were guilty of "bluff because what they say now and what they say the day after a 'yes' vote are two entirely different things.
"Bluster because we are expected to believe that the Osborne idea is to tell business in England next year at the UK general election that he wants to impose a new tax on them of several hundred million pounds for the privilege of exporting their goods to Scotland."Bluster because we are expected to believe that the Osborne idea is to tell business in England next year at the UK general election that he wants to impose a new tax on them of several hundred million pounds for the privilege of exporting their goods to Scotland.
"And bullying because the days of Westminster politicians dictating to Scotland are over. In fact one of my predecessors, former First Minister Henry McLeish, who is still a 'No' voter at this stage, has described it as threatening behaviour."And bullying because the days of Westminster politicians dictating to Scotland are over. In fact one of my predecessors, former First Minister Henry McLeish, who is still a 'No' voter at this stage, has described it as threatening behaviour.
"So I think it will backfire spectacularly on the unionist politicians involved"."So I think it will backfire spectacularly on the unionist politicians involved".
One of the concerns raised by Sir Nicholas in his advice to Mr Osborne was that an independent Scotland might only take sterling for a short period of time.One of the concerns raised by Sir Nicholas in his advice to Mr Osborne was that an independent Scotland might only take sterling for a short period of time.
But Sir Nicholas suggested that, if an independent Scotland committed to a longer-term currency union, his advice might be different.But Sir Nicholas suggested that, if an independent Scotland committed to a longer-term currency union, his advice might be different.
When asked whether he would commit to taking sterling for 40 or 50 years, Mr Salmond said the Scottish government would be "very happy indeed" to negotiate the guidelines for a currency union now, but said Whitehall had "refused to pre-negotiate on anything".When asked whether he would commit to taking sterling for 40 or 50 years, Mr Salmond said the Scottish government would be "very happy indeed" to negotiate the guidelines for a currency union now, but said Whitehall had "refused to pre-negotiate on anything".
Mr Salmond said the Scottish government continued to propose that an independent Scotland should assume a share of both the assets and the debts of the UK.Mr Salmond said the Scottish government continued to propose that an independent Scotland should assume a share of both the assets and the debts of the UK.
Speaking in Edinburgh on Thursday, Mr Osborne said: "The pound isn't an asset to be divided up between two countries after a break-up like a CD collection."Speaking in Edinburgh on Thursday, Mr Osborne said: "The pound isn't an asset to be divided up between two countries after a break-up like a CD collection."
In his own statement, Mr Alexander called on the Scottish government to set out an alternative currency proposal.In his own statement, Mr Alexander called on the Scottish government to set out an alternative currency proposal.
And Mr Balls added: "Alex Salmond is saying to people that you can have independence and keep the pound and the Bank of England - that is not going to happen".And Mr Balls added: "Alex Salmond is saying to people that you can have independence and keep the pound and the Bank of England - that is not going to happen".