Alex Salmond has issued a fresh debate challenge to David Cameron after it emerged that the Scottish and UK Cabinets will cross paths in the north-east this month.
The first minister said this meant the prime minister had “nowhere left to run” from a live TV tussle on independence.
UK Government ministers are due to meet in the north-east on February 24 – the same day that Scottish Government chiefs convene in Portlethen, near Aberdeen.
A TNS poll yesterday showed that 67% of Scots believe Mr Cameron should go head-to-head with Mr Salmond to debate key issues in advance of the referendum. It also appeared to confirm a rise in support for a Yes vote in September, following an ICM poll last weekend.
Mr Salmond said he had written to his counterpart in Westminster to request a debate.
He said: “The prime minister claims the reason he doesn’t want to debate independence is because he is too posh for Scottish voters’ tastes – but that’s an excuse that simply doesn’t wash.
“By happy coincidence, Mr Cameron and I will be within a few minutes’ drive of each other later this month. This is the ideal opportunity to debate the future of Scotland with me, a debate that an overwhelming majority of Scots want to see.
“Instead of coming to Scotland and taking part in what his own Scottish secretary has described as the UK Government’s ‘lecture tour’, Mr Cameron should have the courage of his convictions to take part in a proper debate.
“We now have six polls in a row showing movement towards a Yes vote – put simply, Mr Cameron has nowhere left to run.
“Will he finally accept this challenge to a head-to-head debate, or is he still feart?”
The UK Government would not comment on the time or place of the forthcoming cabinet meeting in the north-east.