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Scottish independence: Salmond to attack Osborne's currency case Scottish independence: Salmond to attack Osborne's currency case
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's first minister has vowed to "deconstruct" the chancellor's case against a currency union, when he makes a speech to business leaders later.Scotland's first minister has vowed to "deconstruct" the chancellor's case against a currency union, when he makes a speech to business leaders later.
Alex Salmond will say George Osborne's position is "ill-thought out and misinformed".Alex Salmond will say George Osborne's position is "ill-thought out and misinformed".
On Thursday, Mr Osborne said a vote for Scottish independence would mean walking away from the pound.On Thursday, Mr Osborne said a vote for Scottish independence would mean walking away from the pound.
Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have indicated they are also opposed to a currency union.Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have indicated they are also opposed to a currency union.
The first minister's speech will also come after European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso cast doubt on Scotland's membership of the European Union in the event of a "Yes" vote in the 18 September referendum.The first minister's speech will also come after European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso cast doubt on Scotland's membership of the European Union in the event of a "Yes" vote in the 18 September referendum.
He said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join and that it would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.He said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join and that it would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.
Scottish government ministers dismissed his comments, describing them as "pretty preposterous".Scottish government ministers dismissed his comments, describing them as "pretty preposterous".
In a speech in Edinburgh last week, the UK chancellor said he would not be prepared to enter a currency union with an independent Scotland.In a speech in Edinburgh last week, the UK chancellor said he would not be prepared to enter a currency union with an independent Scotland.
Alex Salmond said he would use an address to members of the pro-independence Business for Scotland organisation in Aberdeen later to deliver a "point-by-point deconstruction" of Mr Osborne's speech.Alex Salmond said he would use an address to members of the pro-independence Business for Scotland organisation in Aberdeen later to deliver a "point-by-point deconstruction" of Mr Osborne's speech.
He said: "The reality is the pound is as much Scotland's as the rest of the UK. By suggesting otherwise, the Westminster establishment - Tories, Labour and Lib Dems - are reaping a backlash from the ordinary people of Scotland, who feel this is an attempt to bully Scotland ahead of the democratic choice we all look forward to this September. The Scottish government, which wants to keep the pound and retain the services of Bank of England under independence, has said the pound belongs as much to Scotland as the rest of the UK.
"I will be deconstructing the chancellor's ill-thought-out and misinformed intervention point-by-point, making clear why a currency union not only favours Scotland but is in the clear economic interests of the UK as well." SNP ministers claimed suggesting otherwise would lead to a backlash by voters who would see such a tactic as an attempt to bully people in Scotland.
Ahead of Mr Salmond's speech, Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "I believe the UK government - or the government of the rest of the UK - should act in the best interests of the population they serve.
"I believe that what would be in the best interests of the population of the rest of the UK would be to continue with a currency union in an independent Scotland."
Former chancellor Alistair Darling, leader of the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said the idea of a currency union did not "stack up" for Scotland or the rest of the UK.Former chancellor Alistair Darling, leader of the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said the idea of a currency union did not "stack up" for Scotland or the rest of the UK.
He said "Alex Salmond is a man without a plan on currency and Europe. The wheels are falling off the independence wagon.He said "Alex Salmond is a man without a plan on currency and Europe. The wheels are falling off the independence wagon.
"On the two biggest issues for jobs and businesses in Scotland, currency and Europe, the nationalists are all over the place. We are being asked to take a huge leap into the unknown.""On the two biggest issues for jobs and businesses in Scotland, currency and Europe, the nationalists are all over the place. We are being asked to take a huge leap into the unknown."