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Salmond calls for early election Salmond calls for early election
(30 minutes later)
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has called for an early UK election in the wake of Michael Martin's expected resignation as Commons Speaker.Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has called for an early UK election in the wake of Michael Martin's expected resignation as Commons Speaker.
Mr Salmond told BBC News that Mr Martin should have previously insisted on total disclosure of MPs' expenses.Mr Salmond told BBC News that Mr Martin should have previously insisted on total disclosure of MPs' expenses.
The Speaker has been criticised over his handling of the furore over the issue, and a motion of no confidence in him has been backed by 23 MPs.
It is understood he plans to step down "soon" rather than immediately.It is understood he plans to step down "soon" rather than immediately.
It would be the first time in 300 years that a Speaker has effectively been forced out. Meanwhile, BBC Scotland understands Labour officials in Mr Martin's Glasgow constituency are preparing for a by-election over the summer.
The Speaker has been criticised over his handling of the furore over the issue, and a motion of no confidence in him has been backed by 23 MPs.
If Mr Martin steps down, it would be the first time in 300 years that a Speaker has effectively been forced out.
Case 'overwhelming'Case 'overwhelming'
Mr Salmond described Mr Martin, the MP for Glasgow North East, as "a thoroughly decent man who made a mistake", adding that he had been "a bit of a fall guy for the system".Mr Salmond described Mr Martin, the MP for Glasgow North East, as "a thoroughly decent man who made a mistake", adding that he had been "a bit of a fall guy for the system".
The SNP leader said Westminster should adopt interim expenses rules based on the Scottish Parliament system of "total transparency" while an audit of MP claims over the last four years is carried out.The SNP leader said Westminster should adopt interim expenses rules based on the Scottish Parliament system of "total transparency" while an audit of MP claims over the last four years is carried out.
Mr Salmond, who sits as an MP and an MSP, said: "There should be a general election because it's not a question of people just having no confidence in the speaker - it's a question of people having no confidence in the Westminster system.Mr Salmond, who sits as an MP and an MSP, said: "There should be a general election because it's not a question of people just having no confidence in the speaker - it's a question of people having no confidence in the Westminster system.
"If anybody among the MPs believes they can just get rid of the speaker and everything else will be hunky-dory, I think they have another thing coming.""If anybody among the MPs believes they can just get rid of the speaker and everything else will be hunky-dory, I think they have another thing coming."
The first minister added: "I'd have thought that once that audit is done of MPs' expenses over the last four years, then the case is overwhelming to have an early general election."The first minister added: "I'd have thought that once that audit is done of MPs' expenses over the last four years, then the case is overwhelming to have an early general election."
"There can be no argument against the entire House of Commons submitting itself to a vote of confidence, or otherwise, of the people who elected them," he said."There can be no argument against the entire House of Commons submitting itself to a vote of confidence, or otherwise, of the people who elected them," he said.