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Scottish independence: MP 'anger' over Brown debate call Scottish independence: MP 'anger' over Brown debate call
(about 2 hours later)
Several Scottish Labour MPs have expressed anger at a call by former PM Gordon Brown for David Cameron to debate Scotland's first minister.Several Scottish Labour MPs have expressed anger at a call by former PM Gordon Brown for David Cameron to debate Scotland's first minister.
Mr Brown said it would be a "good idea" for the current prime minister to go head-to-head with Alex Salmond, ahead of the independence referendum.Mr Brown said it would be a "good idea" for the current prime minister to go head-to-head with Alex Salmond, ahead of the independence referendum.
Mr Cameron has said any TV debate should be between Mr Salmond and Better Together leader Alistair Darling.Mr Cameron has said any TV debate should be between Mr Salmond and Better Together leader Alistair Darling.
Voters in Scotland go to the polls in the referendum on 18 September.Voters in Scotland go to the polls in the referendum on 18 September.
On Monday, Mr Brown told journalists at a Westminster lunch: "I think it would be a good idea if David Cameron did debate Alex Salmond, but I'm not involved in the negotiations."On Monday, Mr Brown told journalists at a Westminster lunch: "I think it would be a good idea if David Cameron did debate Alex Salmond, but I'm not involved in the negotiations."
BBC Scotland Westminster correspondent David Porter said some Scottish MPs had described Mr Brown's comments as ''unhelpful'' and ''irrational'' and that, privately, figures within the pro-Union Better Together Campaign were known to be extremely annoyed by the former PM's views.BBC Scotland Westminster correspondent David Porter said some Scottish MPs had described Mr Brown's comments as ''unhelpful'' and ''irrational'' and that, privately, figures within the pro-Union Better Together Campaign were known to be extremely annoyed by the former PM's views.
Asked whether Mr Cameron would agree to debate the first minister in light of Mr Brown's comments, the prime minister's official spokesman, said: "The Better Together campaign have said that what should come about is Alex Salmond accepting Alistair Darling's invitation to debate, and that's very much the PM's view too."Asked whether Mr Cameron would agree to debate the first minister in light of Mr Brown's comments, the prime minister's official spokesman, said: "The Better Together campaign have said that what should come about is Alex Salmond accepting Alistair Darling's invitation to debate, and that's very much the PM's view too."
ANALYSIS - BBC Scotland Westminster correspondent David PorterANALYSIS - BBC Scotland Westminster correspondent David Porter
Gordon Brown seems to have succeeded in ruffling more than a few feathers among his Scottish party colleagues.Gordon Brown seems to have succeeded in ruffling more than a few feathers among his Scottish party colleagues.
Some of the responses to his call for David Cameron and Alex Salmond to take part in a TV debate together on independence are un-broadcastable, but among the more temperate reactions are that they were ''unhelpful"," irrational" and, at the very least, a " distraction".Some of the responses to his call for David Cameron and Alex Salmond to take part in a TV debate together on independence are un-broadcastable, but among the more temperate reactions are that they were ''unhelpful"," irrational" and, at the very least, a " distraction".
Mr Brown's comments have been seized on by the pro-independence campaign, but Downing Street remains resolute that such a debate will not happen, saying it should be between Scots in the "Yes" and "No" camps.Mr Brown's comments have been seized on by the pro-independence campaign, but Downing Street remains resolute that such a debate will not happen, saying it should be between Scots in the "Yes" and "No" camps.
Privately, figures within the Better Together Campaign are known to be extremely annoyed by Mr Brown's intervention, with less than 100 days until the referendum.Privately, figures within the Better Together Campaign are known to be extremely annoyed by Mr Brown's intervention, with less than 100 days until the referendum.
Mr Brown also used the journalists' event to criticise the way Scots had been warned they would not be allowed to share the pound in the event of a "Yes" vote.Mr Brown also used the journalists' event to criticise the way Scots had been warned they would not be allowed to share the pound in the event of a "Yes" vote.
And he hit out at "patronising" government publicity material suggesting people in Scotland would be able to buy fish and chips every day for 10 weeks with the money they save by voting against independence.And he hit out at "patronising" government publicity material suggesting people in Scotland would be able to buy fish and chips every day for 10 weeks with the money they save by voting against independence.
Meanwhile, Conservative Jacob Rees Mogg said some of the messages coming from Westminster in the campaign to keep Scotland in the UK were "too negative".Meanwhile, Conservative Jacob Rees Mogg said some of the messages coming from Westminster in the campaign to keep Scotland in the UK were "too negative".
The North East Somerset MP told BBC Radio Bristol: "England really needs Scotland. Basically we are intermarried, inter-related, we are so strongly connected that the English love Scotland and we therefore want her to stay.The North East Somerset MP told BBC Radio Bristol: "England really needs Scotland. Basically we are intermarried, inter-related, we are so strongly connected that the English love Scotland and we therefore want her to stay.
"And I think the message sometimes from the Westminster bubble has been rather negative.""And I think the message sometimes from the Westminster bubble has been rather negative."
Asked if Mr Cameron could remain prime minister in the event of a referendum "Yes" vote, Mr Rees Mogg replied: "Yes, he can. I think he would be safe.Asked if Mr Cameron could remain prime minister in the event of a referendum "Yes" vote, Mr Rees Mogg replied: "Yes, he can. I think he would be safe.
"It would not be seen as his personal failure if that happened. It would be questions for the 'No' campaign to answer.""It would not be seen as his personal failure if that happened. It would be questions for the 'No' campaign to answer."
SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing, said: "Labour's big beasts are becoming embroiled in a big stooshie, and it's showing up the 'No' campaign for what it is - a shambles.
"A fundamental problem that the 'No' camp has is that all of their leaders are unpopular. They have a problem with both their message and their messengers."