Scottish independence: ‘Zimbabwe’ warning - FMQs

ALEX Salmond’s economic plans for independence would turn Scotland into a “Latin American style basket case” Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said at First Minister’s questions today.

Ruth Davidson. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

Ms Davidson made the claim after Mr Salmond this week launched a flagship SNP Government paper setting out the economic case for independence.

The Conservative leader said that Mr Salmond “wanted to spend money like water” as she attacked the SNP’s plans for independence.

She went onto say that the First Minister wanted to “print money faster than Zimbabwe” as she suggested that independence would lead to a financial crisis on the same scale as that gripping the African nation.

Mr Salmond highlighted the remarks of former Chancellor Denis Healey, who said that Scotland would prosper under independence thanks to North Sea oil.

Meanwhile, Mr Salmond was also criticised by Labour leader Johann Lamont, who repeated claims that cancer patients were being denied potentially lifesaving drugs.