Scottish independence round-up: BBC debate review

CATCH up on the day in the Scottish independence debate, with this round-up of stories featured on our dedicated referendum microsite.

Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond's second debate dominated the day in the referendum. Picture: Getty

Alex Salmond has issued calls for an 11th hour live TV showdown with Prime Minister David Cameron after polls suggested he got the better of Alistair Darling in last night’s BBC debate.

The First Minister also branded Mr Darling a “Tory front man” and claimed the ex-Chancellor “muffed it” in last night’s clash.

In other news, millions watched last night’s second debate between Salmond and Darling according to overnight viewing figures, and Scotland’s electorate have just one week left to register to vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

The final deadline to register take part in the historic poll is next Tuesday.

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TODAY’S BEST COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

Every day we highlight some of the most interesting and talked-about articles on the Scottish independence referendum - here are some of today’s best pieces, as featured on our Indyref microsite.

• Joanna Geary: How the second Scottish referendum debate played out on Twitter

Twitter UK’s head of news Joanna Geary looks at how the second referendum debate played out on the social network.

• Paul Cairney: Perceived winner of TV debates is not what matters

Professor Paul Cairney of the University of Stirling analyses last night’s debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling, and suggests that the two televised debates may not make a great deal of difference to the final outcome on 18 September.

• George Eaton: Salmond triumphs over Darling – but will it make any difference?

The New Statesman’s political editor George Eaton writes that Salmond was the clear winner of Monday’s televised clash, adding that “the vagueness of (the ‘No’ campaign’s) words caught up with Darling.”

• Euan McColm: Yes or No – the Scots are divided like never before

Euan McColm points to increasing division and acrimony in the Scottish independence debate, as he reflects on last night’s TV clash.

• Isabel Hardman: Salmond and Darling’s Jeremy Kyle debate reinvigorates campaign

The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman suggests that the ‘No’ camp in the Scottish independence referendum will be forced into a major final push after Alistair Darling’s defeat in last night’s debate.

• Francis Ingham: How Salmond beat Darling in the second TV debate

Francis Ingham, director general of the Public Relations Consultants Association, assesses last night’s second referendum debate, and highlights the ways in which Alex Salmond outshone his opponent.

• Get the latest referendum news, opinion and analysis from across Scotland and beyond on our new Scottish Independence website