First Minister agrees to peace talks with the Scottish Secretary to break the deadlock

PEACE talks will be held late next week between Alex Salmond and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore aimed at breaking the deadlock over the referendum.

Officials from the First Minister’s Office contacted Mr Moore on Monday, and a meeting has now been pencilled in for Thursday or Friday of next week.

The SNP is keen that talks can also be held as soon as possible between Mr Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron, along with his deputy, Nick Clegg.

“We didn’t think it was sensible to meet with the UK government before publishing our consultation document,” a spokesman for the First Minister said.

“Our position is that it’s necessary for a meeting between the First Minister and Prime Minister.

“Clearly, from his intervention a week past on Sunday, the Prime Minister is determining UK government policy on this matter, so it’s necessary that there should be a meeting between the Prime Minister and the First Minister.

“The First Minister is entirely happy to meet with the Secretary of State and looks forward to meeting with Michael Moore.”

The Scottish Government will publish its own consultation on the referendum next Wednesday. The breakthrough on talks comes after Mr Salmond had initially been reluctant to meet Mr Moore, claiming the Scottish Secretary was not involved in the decision-making process.

Nationalists say the strategy at Westminster is being determined by Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg, Chancellor George Osborne and Treasury secretary Danny Alexander.

Westminster insists that Holyrood cannot legally hold a referendum and must be given the authority to do this through a section 30 order. But the SNP has objected to the “strings” attached to this offer.

This includes a straight “yes or no” question on devolution and ruling out the prospect of third option on more powers, which the SNP wants to keep open.