FMQs: Alex Salmond hits out at “separation” independence description

Tory Chief Whip John Lamont asked the First Minister whether he considers that “separation from the rest of the United Kingdom could be negotiated within a year of an independence referendum”.

Mr Salmond said: “If John Lamont was so confident about his position then he wouldn’t feel the need to describe the process of independence and self-determination and self-respect in such pejorative terms.”

He said the Your Scotland, Your Referendum consultation has now received 7,000 responses, and contains “a timetable for what will happen after a vote for independence in the autumn of 2014”.

The First Minister added: “I’m sure that in his heart that (Mr Lamont) genuinely agrees that the proposed timetable is proper, and following a Yes vote in the referendum the first elections for an independent Scotland will take place in May 2016.”

However, Mr Lamont described this as “another non answer from the First Minister”.

He said: “Given what he has apparently said about the possible timetable, can he enlighten us about what discussions he has had with each of Her Majesty’s Government’s reserved departments to consider what the implications for separation will be for Scotland.”

Mr Salmond made no mention of any discussions with the UK Government’s reserved departments, and instead attacked the continued use of “pejorative terms”.

He added: “What is it about independence that so frightens the Conservative Party that it dare not speak its name?

“Might it be because the number of independent countries in the world has increased from some 50 to almost 200 in the United Nations.

“How many of these independent countries in the United Nations describe themselves as ‘separated’ countries, or engaged in the process of ‘separation’?

“I look forward to the United States of America celebrating the ‘Separation Day’ on July 4.”