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Alex Salmond accuses Nicola Sturgeon of 'lack of urgency' over second independence referendum

Former First Minister and leader of the Alba Party Alex Salmond campaigns on Calton Hill, Edinburgh -  Getty Images Europe
Former First Minister and leader of the Alba Party Alex Salmond campaigns on Calton Hill, Edinburgh - Getty Images Europe

Alex Salmond has accused Nicola Sturgeon of displaying a "lack of urgency" over a second independence referendum after she said her 2023 deadline for another vote could be delayed by the pandemic.

The Alba Party leader said Ms Sturgeon, his former protegee, had caused "total consternation" among nationalists by indicating that Scotland will not be "free until after 2023."

He argued that separating from the UK, which is by far Scotland's largest export market, was "not an alternative to economic recovery from Covid" and instead was an "essential part of building a new, different and better society."

Although Ms Sturgeon has also made this argument, his intervention aims to woo separatists who are growing frustrated with her timetable for another referendum. Polls indicate Alba has only attracted three per cent support since its launch.

She has said she wants another separation vote before the end of 2023, but last week stated this could be delayed if Scotland was still "grappling" with a global pandemic.

Alex Salmond (right) with former boxer and Alba Lothian candidate Alex Arthur at a photocall on Calton Hill, Edinburgh - PA
Alex Salmond (right) with former boxer and Alba Lothian candidate Alex Arthur at a photocall on Calton Hill, Edinburgh - PA

The latest spat between Ms Sturgeon and her former mentor came as she insisted again that the Prime Minister would drop his opposition to another referendum if the SNP wins a majority on May 6.

She told the Guardian: "If people in Scotland vote for a party saying, 'when the time is right, there should be an independence referendum', you cannot stand in the way of that - and I don't think that is what will happen."

However, there was little sign of a change of heart from Downing Street, with a spokesman for the Prime Minister reiterating that "calling for a referendum in this way in the middle of the pandemic is not right."

Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon have exchanged barbs over independence tactics over the past week, with him arguing that she must open immediate secession negotiations with the UK if the election results in a nationalist "super-majority."

He claimed a 2014-style referendum was only one of the ways by which independence could be achieved, but Ms Sturgeon accused him of "misleading" nationalists as none of the other supposed methods would be recognised by the UK or foreign governments.

Nicola Sturgeon joins Scottish political party leaders as they take part in a motion of condolence for The Duke of Edinburgh at Scottish Parliament on Monday - PA
Nicola Sturgeon joins Scottish political party leaders as they take part in a motion of condolence for The Duke of Edinburgh at Scottish Parliament on Monday - PA

Mr Salmond hit back following a hiatus in the campaign caused by the Duke of Edinburgh's death, saying: "Nicola Sturgeon's comments last week about an independence referendum in 2023 or later have caused total consternation in the national movement.

"It seems to be that Scotland will not 'be free until after 2023', more seriously it seems to indicate a lack of urgency on bringing the independence question to a decision."

Contrasting the SNP with his new party, he said: "For Alba, independence is the priority, which is why we are putting it front and centre in the election campaign."

Alistair Carmichael, the Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign chair, said: "Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond don't care about your job, your parent's operation or your child's schooling.

"Scotland deserves better than a nationalist movement that wants to spend the next five years arguing about the timeline for independence."

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "I think that's what the public wants to see, Scottish people have been clear they want to see the UK Government and devolved administrations working together to defeat this pandemic."

An SNP spokesman said Mr Salmond's latest intervention was "simply not a credible contribution to the independence debate."

He added: "The only safe way to ensure that Nicola Sturgeon is re-elected to lead an SNP Government which can deliver independence is to give both votes to the SNP."

Meanwhile, Alba said it had reported to the police tweets apparently suggesting physical threats against their female candidates.