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Scottish independence: Salmond says adviser should say sorry to 'No' woman Scottish independence: Salmond says adviser should say sorry to 'No' woman
(35 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond has ordered one of his advisers to apologise to a woman who said she was attacked for supporting Scotland staying in the UK.First Minister Alex Salmond has ordered one of his advisers to apologise to a woman who said she was attacked for supporting Scotland staying in the UK.
Mother-of-two Claire Lally spoke at an event organised by pro-Union campaign Better Together on Monday.Mother-of-two Claire Lally spoke at an event organised by pro-Union campaign Better Together on Monday.
The Telegraph said adviser Campbell Gunn contacted the newspaper to complain about her description as an "ordinary mum".The Telegraph said adviser Campbell Gunn contacted the newspaper to complain about her description as an "ordinary mum".
Mr Gunn, a former Scottish political journalist, has been told to say sorry.Mr Gunn, a former Scottish political journalist, has been told to say sorry.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said the first minister must sack Mr Gunn, who used to be political editor of The Sunday Post.Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said the first minister must sack Mr Gunn, who used to be political editor of The Sunday Post.
The adviser claimed Ms Lally was the daughter-in-law of Pat Lally, a former Labour Lord Provost of Glasgow. The adviser wrongly claimed Ms Lally was the daughter-in-law of Pat Lally, a former Labour Lord Provost of Glasgow.
Mr Salmond said the claim was not true, but added that it would not have been an insult to Ms Lally even if it was accurate. Mr Salmond told the BBC he had met Ms Lally several times and was "perfectly entitled to her view".
The first minister also condemned those who Ms Lally said launched a "disgusting" attack on her through social media websites. He said the claim about Ms Lally was a "mistake", but added that it was not an insult because Pat Lally was an "estimable" person.
Ahead of the 18 September independence referendum, Mr Salmond said elements on both sides of the debate had been involved in social media attacks, and he called for them to end. The first minister said: "I've instructed the special adviser to apologise for any offence that's been caused by that - but she's not Pat Lally's daughter-in-law, she is an ordinary mother and she's absolutely entitled to express a view, as indeed every other person in Scotland is."
He added he did not want the issue to distract from the debate about Scotland's future. Asked whether the first minister's staff should be briefing against people who express a view on independence, Mr Salmond replied: "It was a misunderstanding.
"Saying that somebody thought somebody was somebody's daughter-in-law is not a grievous insult and shouldn't be taken as such.
"But, just to make sure, an apology will be on its way to underline the point."
Social media attacks
The first minister was also asked to respond to comments from Ms Lally that a "disgusting" attack was launched against her through social media websites.
He said: "I've always condemned anything that's said untoward on social media.
"We're conducting a great debate in Scotland at the present moment - a debate that has to be conducted at the highest level, and I would ask everybody on social media, and any media, to conduct it in that term."
The row came ahead of the 18 September Scottish independence referendum.