David Cameron ‘rules out second referendum’

The Prime Minister also went on the attack over SNP claims of bias in the BBC and media generally. Picture: Getty

His comments in an interview in House magazine come just 24 hours after SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave a strong hint that her party will put another referendum in its manifesto for the 2016 Holyrood election despite promises made by her and Alex Salmond that the issue would be “decided for a generation.”

Mr Cameron said: “I believe it’s settled. I quote Alex Salmond, settled for a generation, possibly for a lifetime, is what he said. And I’m sticking with that. I think there was a very big debate in Scotland, a very big moment, a very big turnout. But it was pretty decisive, a ten point margin is pretty decisive.”

Asked if Sturgeon inserts a referendum pledge in the Holyrood manifesto for 2016, would he be tempted to say he’s not duty bound by that, even if she wins, he insisted: “That issue is settled.”

The Prime Minister also went on the attack over SNP claims of bias in the BBC and media generally.

Mr Salmond said this week that the BBC’s referendum coverage was a “national disgrace” and is now viewed as a “wicked stepmother” by Nationalists.

But the Prime Minister said: “We all have our disagreements with the BBC from time to time but the idea that it was biased over the referendum I think is completely wrong.”

On wider media coverage, he added: “I think Britain can pride itself that we have independent media that annoys all of us from time to time but I think the way the Nats always cry foul is their blaming the referee when they are not happy with the result.”