Scottish independence: Jim McColl receives a warm welcome from Salmond

ALEX Salmond yesterday warmly welcomed the support for Scottish independence offered by the multi-millionaire businessman Jim McColl.

The First Minister hailed the statement by the Clyde Blowers boss as a “hugely significant” intervention.

In an article in The Scotsman yesterday, Mr McColl argued for independence saying efforts to get the country out of recession were constrained by a lack of economic levers and the UK government failing to get to grips with the crisis.

Previously a supporter of devo-max, Mr McColl also indicated that he believed the option of more powers short of independence would not be included on the referendum ballot paper.

Given Mr McColl is a member of Mr Salmond’s Council of Economic Advisers, his analysis was seen as a strong sign that the Scottish Government will fall into line with the UK Government and back a single question.

During a visit by Mr McColl to Bute House to take part in a meeting of the Council of Economic Advisers yesterday, Mr Salmond said: “This is a hugely significant intervention in the debate on Scotland’s future and I welcome his comments, which will only help to persuade more people of the need for an independent Scotland with the economic tools we need to create jobs and prosperity.

“The contrast between the job creators like Jim McColl and the job-destroying policies of George Osborne and his Tory colleagues could not be clearer: the job creator is in support of an independent Scotland, the job destroyer is against it.

“Scotland needs no lessons from a Tory Chancellor whose failed economic strategy is thwarting recovery, jeopardising jobs and threatening livelihoods and family budgets across the country.”