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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.
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 argued that rejecting a currency union would translate into "hundreds of millions of pounds" in transaction costs for UK businesses of approximately £500 million per year.
"They run to many hundreds of millions of pounds," he said. "My submission is that this charge - let us call it the George Tax - would be impossible to sell to English business."
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." Salmon said the "accumulated negativity" displayed in recent weeks will differ "greatly from the reality of life".
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 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.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.
He said: "We have seen Spain has been opposing even the recognition of Kosovo, for instance. So it is to some extent a similar case because it's a new country and so I believe it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, a new member state coming out of our countries getting the agreement of the others."
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.