Alex Salmond: ‘Referendum no longer a once in a generation event’

Alex Salmond has sensationally U-turned on his promise that last year’s independence referendum was a once in a generation event.

The former First Minister said a combination of actions by the UK Government meant a rerun of the constitutional battle was “much closer” than previously predicted.

Opponents blasted the statement, made in his exclusive Courier column, which came after current SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon revealed the party will set out the timescale for a possible second referendum in its manifesto for next year’s Holyrood election.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “This completely breaks the agreement reached by both sides prior to the referendum to respect the result.”

For this, plus the ex-SNP leader’s view on new UK Labour boss Jeremy Corbyn and his demand the thief who stole part of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, pick up a copy of Monday’s Courier or try our digital edition.