David Cameron has claimed that a “huge set of questions” still need to be answered by the SNP on independence – as he dismissed a fresh challenge to publicly debate with Alex Salmond.
The Scottish Government’s historic white paper, published on Tuesday, was raised three times during prime minister’s questions at Westminster yesterday.
Mr Cameron attacked the long-awaited document, claiming it offered “no answers” on the currency of an independent Scotland or the status of the nation’s membership of the EU and Nato.
SNP MP Pete Wishart branded the Conservative leader a “pathetic big feartie”, repeating calls for him to debate with the first minister before the referendum next September.
Responding to a question from Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, Anas Sarwar, the prime minister said: “We’ve been waiting a long time for this document. We were told it would answer every question, and yet no answer on the currency, no answer on the issue of EU membership, no proper answers on Nato.
“We were just left a huge set of questions and, frankly, the Scottish people also face the prospect of a £1,000 (a year tax) bill as the price of separation.”
Mr Wishart, the MP for Perth and North Perthshire, challenged the Tory leader on a debate again yesterday.
He said: “The prime minister has vowed to fight for the United Kingdom with his head, heart and soul, but when it comes to a debate it’s some guts that he needs to find.
“We now have the blueprint for independence. We know what his United Kingdom will look like. Will he now stop being a pathetic big feartie and get out and debate the issues with the first minister?”
Mr Cameron replied: “Of course there should be a debate, including televised debates, but this is a debate between people in Scotland.
“It’s a debate, rightly, between the leader of the No campaign and the leader of the Yes campaign, and they should fight it out.”