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Scottish referendum: Alex Salmond says 'No' voters were 'tricked' | Scottish referendum: Alex Salmond says 'No' voters were 'tricked' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said "No" voters in last week's independence referendum were "tricked" by a late vow of more devolved powers. | Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said "No" voters in last week's independence referendum were "tricked" by a late vow of more devolved powers. |
He accused the three main party leaders of "reneging" on the pledge they made days before Thursday's referendum which he claimed won the "No" vote. | He accused the three main party leaders of "reneging" on the pledge they made days before Thursday's referendum which he claimed won the "No" vote. |
Voters in Scotland rejected independence by 55% to 45%. | Voters in Scotland rejected independence by 55% to 45%. |
No 10 dismissed his claims, as the three parties continue to disagree over handling the process of devolution. | No 10 dismissed his claims, as the three parties continue to disagree over handling the process of devolution. |
It comes as about 1,000 people, including politicians from across the divide, attend a service of reconciliation at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. | It comes as about 1,000 people, including politicians from across the divide, attend a service of reconciliation at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. |
Politicians will each light a single candle, symbolising a commitment to work together in the best interests of the country. | Politicians will each light a single candle, symbolising a commitment to work together in the best interests of the country. |
Church of Scotland Moderator the Rt Rev John Chalmers is expected to tell the gathering: "How we voted on one particular day does not define who we are." | Church of Scotland Moderator the Rt Rev John Chalmers is expected to tell the gathering: "How we voted on one particular day does not define who we are." |
'Healing divisions' | 'Healing divisions' |
Vanessa Barford, BBC News, Edinburgh | Vanessa Barford, BBC News, Edinburgh |
The Kirk wants this service - which it says isn't just for Scotland's capital city but the whole nation - to help heal the divisions of the referendum by reminding the congregation of their "shared values" and "common purpose". | The Kirk wants this service - which it says isn't just for Scotland's capital city but the whole nation - to help heal the divisions of the referendum by reminding the congregation of their "shared values" and "common purpose". |
Outside this historic cathedral in the heart of the city there are still signs of the schisms of the past few weeks. | |
"Yes" is emblazoned across the statue of influential Scottish economist and philosopher Adam Smith. The cathedral is also marked with a few messages of "Yes", though some may argue with respect - written in chalk that can easily be wiped away. | "Yes" is emblazoned across the statue of influential Scottish economist and philosopher Adam Smith. The cathedral is also marked with a few messages of "Yes", though some may argue with respect - written in chalk that can easily be wiped away. |
More than 1,000 people are expected to fill the aisles and stretch out their hand of friendship to fellow Scots who did not support the same side in the service. | More than 1,000 people are expected to fill the aisles and stretch out their hand of friendship to fellow Scots who did not support the same side in the service. |
The cathedral's bells will be ringing out for Scotland today. | The cathedral's bells will be ringing out for Scotland today. |
Mr Salmond told the BBC he thought the pledge made by the three leaders days before Thursday's referendum was "decisive" in winning the historic vote for the "No" side, because voters thought they "could get something anyway without the perceived risk" of independence. | |
Speaking to the Sunday Politics programme, he also accused the Westminster parties of going back on their promise to start the process immediately after the referendum. Better Together had told Scottish voters the motion would be presented to Parliament on Friday. | |
'Cooked up in desperation' | |
"I am actually not surprised they are cavilling and reneging on commitments, I am only surprised by the speed at which they are doing it. They seem to be totally shameless in these matters," he said. | |
"The prime minister wants to link change in Scotland to change in England. He wants to do that because he has difficulty in carrying his backbenchers on this and they are under pressure from UKIP. | |
"The Labour leadership of course are frightened of any changes in England which leave them without a majority in the House of Commons on English matters. | |
"I think the vow was something cooked up in desperation for the last few days of the campaign and I think everyone in Scotland now realises that." | |
Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg made the signed pledge on Tuesday. | |
Under the plans, the legislation would be delivered by whichever government comes into office at next year's general election. A motion to be laid before the UK Parliament on Monday sets out a tight timetable. | |
Downing Street insisted the timetable would be followed, while Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling said it was non-negotiable. | Downing Street insisted the timetable would be followed, while Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling said it was non-negotiable. |
But there is continuing disagreement between the three Westminster parties over how the process of devolution should be handled. | But there is continuing disagreement between the three Westminster parties over how the process of devolution should be handled. |
Mr Cameron wants changes to move in tandem with plans to make sure only English MPs can vote on English laws - but Labour wants a slower process with further debate. | |
The Lib Dems warned Mr Cameron's decision to link the issues could see him forced to renege on his promise to the people of Scotland. | |
'No ifs no buts' | |
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Miliband said the timetable for Scottish devolution and proposals for English votes on English laws "did not depend on each other". | Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Miliband said the timetable for Scottish devolution and proposals for English votes on English laws "did not depend on each other". |
"People right across the country are going to say David Cameron made a promise, he didn't make a conditional promise, and he's going to be kept to that," he said. | |
On the Daily Politics, Labour's shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, said it was "dishonourable and in bad faith" for the prime minister to link the two issues. | |
Mr Clegg, writing in the Sunday Times, insisted there could be "no ifs, no buts" about delivering the extra powers promised to Scotland, and the package "cannot be made contingent on other constitutional reforms". | |
"By appearing to link it to the delivery of further devolution to Scotland, they risk reneging on the commitment made to the Scottish people that, in the event of a 'No' vote, new powers would come what may," he wrote. | |
Further powers: Parliamentary motion | Further powers: Parliamentary motion |
That this House... | That this House... |
Downing Street said the "three pro-union parties" had "made clear commitments on further powers" for Scotland and the government had "set out a clear timetable". | |
Echoing similar comments made by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Saturday, Mr Darling insisted the pledge for more powers would be acted upon within the stated timetable. | Echoing similar comments made by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Saturday, Mr Darling insisted the pledge for more powers would be acted upon within the stated timetable. |
"The agreement reached between the three parties is non-negotiable," he told the Marr programme. | "The agreement reached between the three parties is non-negotiable," he told the Marr programme. |
"It was promised, it's got to be delivered, and anyone who welches on that will pay a very heavy price for years to come." | "It was promised, it's got to be delivered, and anyone who welches on that will pay a very heavy price for years to come." |