SALMOND WINS AGAIN AS MURPHY “LOSES IT” OVER FLIPPING

SALMOND WINS AGAIN AS MURPHY “LOSES IT” OVER FLIPPING

SNP LEADER’S “STATESMANLIKE PERFORMANCE” IN BBC DEBATE


Alex Salmond convincingly won this evening's BBC Scotland election
leaders' debate, while Labour's Jim Murphy was left facing renewed
scrutiny in ongoing fallout from the Westminster expenses scandal, over
the "flipping" of his homes in Scotland and in London for mortgage
purposes.

SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

"Once again, Alex Salmond was the clear winner of this debate in what was
a statesmanlike performance that underlined the SNP's positive vision for
Scotland – in contrast to the cosy Westminster consensus of the
London-based parties.

"On all the subjects raised - from the economy to immigration and
Afghanistan - the SNP were once again in the ascendancy after last week's
hands-down win in Sky's Scottish leaders' debate.

"In contrast, Jim Murphy completely lost it over ‘flipping’ his homes.
First of all he denied he had done so, then confirmed he had before
launching an extraordinary attack on the BBC's Glenn Campbell for making
'very serious allegations' against him. Labour were already losing the
debate, but this was the point they plunged to a new low in Scotland.

"After being shut out of the UK leaders' debates, this was an opportunity
to showcase the SNP's alternative to the cuts agenda of Labour, the Tories
and the Lib Dems - and that is a message we will take to voters on the
ground across Scotland in the final days of this campaign.

"A show of hands in the debate audience also showed that most people were
in favour of a balanced parliament. In Scotland that means voting for SNP
local and national champions to help protect the country from the
Westminster parties’ cuts agenda."