Meeting with PM ‘soon’ on referendum

Published on 05/09/2012 12:00

ALEX Salmond says he expects to meet David Cameron within weeks to settle the issues surrounding the independence referendum.

After unveiling the SNP’s legislative programme for the coming year, which has the Referendum Bill at its heart, the First Minister hinted a deal was close on the 2014 vote.

He said: “I expect to meet the Prime Minister in the next few weeks to conclude the discussions which our respective ministers have been having over the summer.”

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore – who remains in post after yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle, despite speculation he could be replaced – said: “It is high time we sorted out the referendum process and got on to the real debate about Scotland’s future. The Scottish Government’s own timetable means it is now imperative that we finalise the arrangements for the referendum.”