Scottish independence inevitable, says SNP

SNP leader Alex Salmond today claimed an independent Scotland was now inevitable.

The Banff and Buchan MP, who regained the party leadership last week, said only the timescale was up for debate.

“Independence for Scotland is more likely than it has ever been,” he said.

“It is as inevitable as anything can be in politics.”

Mr Salmond also promised a new style of leadership. He told BBC1’s Breakfast with Frost he would now be a team player.

Mr Salmond secured 76% of the party vote to regain the job he surrendered four years ago.

His running mate Nicola Sturgeon confounded predictions to become deputy leader with nearly 54% of the vote.

She will lead the party in the Scottish Parliament until Mr Salmond bids to return either before or at the 2007 Holyrood elections.

Mr Salmond praised Ms Sturgeon as the outstanding politician of her generation in Scotland.

“This time I am back and I am back as a team player,” he added.

“It is a novelty for me but it will be even better.”

Mr Salmond told the programme his first priority was to make the SNP Scotland’s first party.

He said he did not just want to be SNP leader but aimed to be Scotland’s First Minister in 2007.