PM and Salmond square up on Scots independence

The Prime Minister said it would give “clarity” to the people of Scotland as he renewed his determination to see a vote held “sooner rather than later”.

And he accused First Minister Alex Salmond of seeking to delay a vote because he knew Scottish voters did not “at heart” want a full separation.

Mr Salmond wants the poll in the second half of his current term, which ends in 2016.

Mr Cameron told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show that the uncertainty over when a referendum would be held and what the question would be was damaging the Scottish economy.

“We owe the Scottish people something that is fair, legal and decisive so in the coming days we will be setting out clearly what the legal situation is,” he said.

“Then we need a proper debate where people can put forward their views.

“But my view, very strongly, is that the Scottish people deserve some clarity, some decisiveness and they deserve it to be legal and binding.”

He went on: “The uncertainty about this issue is damaging to Scotland and Scotland’s economy.

“And... it is unfair on the Scottish people themselves, who don’t really know when this question is going to be asked, what the question is going to be, who’s responsible for asking it.”

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was one of the most successful partnerships in the history of the world.

“It would be desperately sad if Scotland chose to leave the United Kingdom and I will do everything I can to encourage Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom because I think that is the best for all our economies, Scotland included, and all our societies.”

“Let’s not drift apart. I think he (Alex Salmond) knows the Scottish people at heart do not want a full separation and so he is trying to create a situation where that bubbles up and happens whereas I think we need some decisiveness so we can clear up this issue.”

“I don’t think we should just let this go on year after year. I think that’s damaging for everyone concerned, so let’s clear up the legal situation and then have a debate about how we bring this to a conclusion. My view is that sooner rather than later would be better.”

A spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said: “The position is very clear – the Scottish Government achieved an overwhelming mandate from the people of Scotland to hold the referendum in the second half of this parliamentary term, and that is exactly what we will do.”

He added: “The anti-independence voices at Westminster seem to be in total disarray, and the Prime Minister would be wise to hold to the position that all these matters will be determined by the people and parliament of Scotland.”