MURPHY IN A MUDDLE OVER LEADER DEBATES

MURPHY IN A MUDDLE OVER LEADER DEBATES

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy created confusion today (Wednesday) by challenging First Minister Alex Salmond to a leaders debate – forgetting the fact he had already agreed a debate with SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson.

SNP Westminster campaign co-ordinator Stewart Hosie MP said:

“Jim Murphy’s remarks are rendered totally silly by the self-serving attempts of Labour and the other London-based parties to carve the SNP out of UK-wide election debates – and we will not be deflected from our clear democratic entitlement for Scotland’s voice to be heard.

“The First Minister will debate with all comers in a referendum campaign on Scottish independence – but Labour are conspiring with the Tories and Lib Dems against the people’s right to speak on Scotland’s constitutional future.

“Jim Murphy wrote to the Scottish party leaders at Westminster the weekend before last asking them to participate in a Scottish debate – which is obviously what should happen – and Angus Robertson has already accepted.”