Scottish Parliament FMQs: Alex Salmond watch

Backbench rowdy rating: 8/10

Labour MSPs were in boisterous mood as their leader pressed the First Minister on his links with Rupert Murdoch and claims that he leaked the date of the independence referendum to the inaugural edition of the Sun on Sunday.

Shortest answer: 5 seconds

Mr Salmond replies to a question from Labour leader Johann Lamont about what questions will be asked at the next meeting of cabinet.

Longest answer: 2 mins and 36 seconds

Salmond gives a rambling rebuttal of Labour claims that he leaked the date of the referendum to a Sunday newspaper and that a date has been decided.

Longest question: 1 minute and 29 seconds

Ms Lamont calls on Mr Salmond to come clean and name the date for the referendum.

Funnest line

“All you get in Bute House is a cup of tea and a caramel wafer.” Salmond’s mocks David Cameron and Ed Miliband for quaffing oysters and champagne at News International’s summer party.

MOST telling blow landed on Salmond

“What does it say about the First Minister if he is prepared to compromise the referendum for Sir Rupert, compromise our planning system for the Trumps and compromise Scotland’s economic future for Fred the Shred?” Johann Lamont lays into Mr Salmond over recent difficulties.