First Minister Alex Salmond has challenged David Cameron to a “dust-up in Dyce” debate on Scottish independence.
The SNP leader wants to set up the north-east version of Rumble in the Jungle when Scottish and UK government ministers hold meetings a few miles from each other later this month.
The call was made after the prime minister delivered a speech at London’s Olympic Village asking people south of the border to boost the “no” campaign by getting involved in the debate.
Mr Salmond said: “Instead of pronouncements from Mount Olympus, why don’t we have a real debate?
“In two weeks’ time, the UK Cabinet and the Scottish Cabinet are meeting in the same city at the same time 10 miles apart. There can be no possible excuse, let’s have that Rumble in the Jungle, a dust-up in Dyce.”
UK ministers are expected to meet in Aberdeen on February 24, the same day that Scottish Government chiefs convene a Cabinet session in Portlethen.
Mr Cameron has repeatedly ruled out a head-to-head debate.
The first minister added: “David Cameron said he will fight with all he has against Scotland’s independence, but that doesn’t extend to having a head-to-head debate on the subject.
“The prime minister says his appeal today is to the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but his government makes policy for all of the UK, including Scotland, and he cannot keep dodging that debate.
“He has the perfect opportunity later this month, when our respective Cabinets are meeting in the Aberdeen area just a few miles apart on the same day.”
Mr Salmond continued his attack on the prime minister, saying: “Instead of making bogus arguments against Scotland taking its own future into its own hands, David Cameron should apologise for the democratic scandal which sees deeply damaging Tory policies imposed on Scotland against the wishes of our elected representatives.