FMQs: independence ‘more damaging’ than Thatcher

LABOUR leader Johann Lamont claimed Alex Salmond’s plan for independence would “do more damage” to Scotland than Margaret Thatcher after Standard Life said it may move operations south of the border in the event of a Yes vote.

Labour leader Johann Lamont. Picture: Jane Barlow

Ms Lamont accused Mr Salmond of being in “denial, deception and delusion” over the stark warning from Edinburgh-based Standard Life, which employs about 5,000 people in Scotland.

The Labour leader said that “if Scotland leave the UK, people’s jobs will leave Scotland” during a bad tempered clash at First Minister’s questions today.

Ms Lamont said: “Alex Salmond’s plan for independence would do more damage to Scotland than even Margaret Thatcher.”

However, Mr Salmond hit back and accused Ms Lamont of promoting a “concoction of nonsense” at Holyrood.

The First Minister went onto insist that an independent Scotland would a “good place to do business” as he dismissed Ms Lamont’s claims about pensions giant Standard Life.