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| Scottish independence: Alex Salmond goes on the attack over currency row | Scottish independence: Alex Salmond goes on the attack over currency row |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Alex Salmond has blasted the "arrogance" of the Government after George Osborne rejected calls for a sterling zone with an independent Scotland. | Alex Salmond has blasted the "arrogance" of the Government after George Osborne rejected calls for a sterling zone with an independent Scotland. |
| The SNP leader said the Chancellor's refusal to sharing the pound has backfired as a "campaign tactic" to dictate the terms of the debate ahead of the independence referendum on 18 September. | The SNP leader said the Chancellor's refusal to sharing the pound has backfired as a "campaign tactic" to dictate the terms of the debate ahead of the independence referendum on 18 September. |
| Last week, Osborne ruled out a formal currency union with Scotland if it becomes an independent, warning that voting Yes means losing the pound. The Prime Minister also said it "would be difficult to justify a currency union post-independence." | Last week, Osborne ruled out a formal currency union with Scotland if it becomes an independent, warning that voting Yes means losing the pound. The Prime Minister also said it "would be difficult to justify a currency union post-independence." |
| But Salmond warned: "To be told there are things we can't do will certainly elicit a Scottish response that is as resolute as it is uncomfortable to the 'No' campaign." | But Salmond warned: "To be told there are things we can't do will certainly elicit a Scottish response that is as resolute as it is uncomfortable to the 'No' campaign." |
| He said the "accumulated negativity" displayed in recent weeks will differ "greatly from the reality of life" arguing that rejecting a currency union would damage Scotland and the UK. | He said the "accumulated negativity" displayed in recent weeks will differ "greatly from the reality of life" arguing that rejecting a currency union would damage Scotland and the UK. |
| Speaking in Aberdeen, he added: "Phone-ins, newspaper polls taken after the Chancellor's statement indicated his diktat had backfired badly. | Speaking in Aberdeen, he added: "Phone-ins, newspaper polls taken after the Chancellor's statement indicated his diktat had backfired badly. |
| "People do become sick and tired of the succession of day-tripping Conservative ministers flying up to Scotland to deliver lectures and then flying back to Westminster again." | "People do become sick and tired of the succession of day-tripping Conservative ministers flying up to Scotland to deliver lectures and then flying back to Westminster again." |
| On Sunday, Salmond was left facing a new policy setback after Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, warned that it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the union. | On Sunday, Salmond was left facing a new policy setback after Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, warned that it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the union. |
| Speaking to the BBC, Barroso highlighted that countries like Spain- which is also facing demands for independence from Catalonia and Basque nationalists- would likely veto its entry. | |
| Salmond played down speculation insisting that no member state has indicated plans to veto Scotland's membership. | Salmond played down speculation insisting that no member state has indicated plans to veto Scotland's membership. |
| An independent Scotland would have to apply for EU membership which must be upheld by all member states. | An independent Scotland would have to apply for EU membership which must be upheld by all member states. |