This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/world/europe/alex-salmond-urges-yes-vote-on-independence.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Scottish Independence Backer Alleges ‘Bullying’ and Urges Inquiry Scot Backing Independence Says Rivals Use ‘Bullying’
(about 5 hours later)
EDINBURGH — With tension rising a week before Scots vote on independence, Alex Salmond, the leader of the “yes” campaign, accused opponents on Thursday of bullying and subterfuge, and he demanded an official inquiry into disclosures that the Royal Bank of Scotland would shift its registered office to England in the event of a Scottish breakaway. EDINBURGH — With tension rising a week before Scots vote on independence, Alex Salmond, the leader of the “yes” campaign, accused opponents on Thursday of bullying and subterfuge, and he demanded an official inquiry into disclosures that the Royal Bank of Scotland would shift its registered office to England in the event of a Scottish breakaway.
Speaking in Edinburgh Mr. Salmond said that officials at Britain’s treasury had been caught leaking information to the news media before a market-sensitive announcement, and he described their actions as a “matter of extraordinary gravity.”Speaking in Edinburgh Mr. Salmond said that officials at Britain’s treasury had been caught leaking information to the news media before a market-sensitive announcement, and he described their actions as a “matter of extraordinary gravity.”
With the outcome of next week’s referendum hard to predict from the latest opinion polls, the news of the bank’s possible move underlined the highly charged nature of the debate over the likely impact of independence on important sectors of the Scottish economy.With the outcome of next week’s referendum hard to predict from the latest opinion polls, the news of the bank’s possible move underlined the highly charged nature of the debate over the likely impact of independence on important sectors of the Scottish economy.
The Royal Bank of Scotland announced Thursday that it is making contingency plans to move its legal incorporation to England in the event of a “yes” vote. In addition, Lloyds Banking Group said it had made arrangements to establish “new legal entities” in England should voters in Scotland decide to sever ties with Britain The Royal Bank of Scotland announced Thursday that it was making contingency plans to move its legal incorporation to England in the event of a “yes” vote. In addition, Lloyds Banking Group said it had made arrangements to establish “new legal entities” in England should voters in Scotland decide to sever ties with Britain.
Late Wednesday the treasury confirmed the forthcoming announcement to some British news media by email, though officials said privately that they did so only in response to inquiries about reports in the newspaper The Sun. There was no official comment from the treasury on Thursday, and the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for the civil service, said it had not yet received any letter requesting an inquiry from Mr. Salmond.Late Wednesday the treasury confirmed the forthcoming announcement to some British news media by email, though officials said privately that they did so only in response to inquiries about reports in the newspaper The Sun. There was no official comment from the treasury on Thursday, and the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for the civil service, said it had not yet received any letter requesting an inquiry from Mr. Salmond.
The banks’ contingency plans have been prompted by uncertainty over what currency an independent Scotland would use. All three main British political parties have rejected the idea of a currency union if Scots vote to break away, though Mr. Salmond contends that they are bluffing.The banks’ contingency plans have been prompted by uncertainty over what currency an independent Scotland would use. All three main British political parties have rejected the idea of a currency union if Scots vote to break away, though Mr. Salmond contends that they are bluffing.
On Thursday he stepped up his attack on London politicians, accusing them of “bullying and intimidation” and demanding an official inquiry into the actions of officials who, he said, are “not allowed to brief market sensitive information.” On Thursday he stepped up his attack on London politicians, accusing them of “bullying and intimidation” and demanding an official inquiry into the actions of officials who, he said, are “not allowed to brief market-sensitive information.”
At the same time Mr. Salmond played down the significance of a move by the Royal Bank of Scotland as largely technical, pointing to an internal letter from the bank in which it said that the changes would have no effect on employment or operations in Scotland. At the same time Mr. Salmond played down the significance of a move by the Royal Bank of Scotland as largely technical, pointing to an internal letter from the bank in which it said the changes would have no effect on employment or operations in Scotland.
Nonetheless, the bank’s announcement, and similar statements of concern from other well-known businesses and financial institutions, may check some of the momentum that has seemed to be gathering behind supporters of independence. On Thursday morning, Charlie Mayfield, the chairman of John Lewis, a retailing group, told the BBC that there would be “economic consequences to a ‘yes’ vote.” Nonetheless, the bank’s announcement, and similar statements of concern from other well-known businesses and financial institutions, may check some of the momentum that has seemed to be gathering behind supporters of independence. On Thursday morning, Charlie Mayfield, the chairman of John Lewis, a retail group, told the BBC that there would be “economic consequences to a ‘yes’ vote.”
“It does cost more money to trade in parts of Scotland, and therefore those hard costs, in the event of a ‘yes’ vote, are more likely to be passed on,” he said.“It does cost more money to trade in parts of Scotland, and therefore those hard costs, in the event of a ‘yes’ vote, are more likely to be passed on,” he said.
Opponents of independence highlighted economic concerns, and Jackie Baillie, a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the Labour Party, argued that breaking the union “would mean higher prices for families in Scotland.” Opponents of independence highlighted economic concerns. Jackie Baillie, a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the Labour Party, said breaking the union “would mean higher prices for families in Scotland.”
Mr. Salmond appealed to voters to ignore such warnings, telling Scots that they are “on the cusp of making history” and adding that “the eyes of the world are upon Scotland.” Mr. Salmond appealed to voters to ignore such warnings, telling Scots that they were “on the cusp of making history” and adding that “the eyes of the world are upon Scotland.”
In one testy set of exchanges, he accused the BBC’s political editor, Nick Robinson, of heckling him after Mr. Robinson challenged him several times to answer questions about the economic impact of independence.In one testy set of exchanges, he accused the BBC’s political editor, Nick Robinson, of heckling him after Mr. Robinson challenged him several times to answer questions about the economic impact of independence.
Scottish supporters of the opposition Labour Party are thought to be crucial to the outcome of the vote on Sept. 18, and that party’s leader, Ed Miliband, spoke in Scotland for the second consecutive day on Thursday, in Glasgow. Independence would entail “huge risks,” he said, including “risks to jobs, the economy and the National Health Service.” Scottish supporters of the opposition Labour Party are thought to be crucial to the outcome of the vote on Sept. 18. The party’s leader, Ed Miliband, spoke in Scotland for the second consecutive day on Thursday, in Glasgow. He said independence would entail “huge risks” to jobs, the economy and the National Health Service.
The day before, the leaders of Britain’s three main governing parties visited Scotland and appealed to Scots to keep the United Kingdom together. They have promised greater powers of self-determination for Scotland if a majority of voters reject independence. The day before, the leaders of Britain’s three main governing parties visited Scotland and appealed to Scots to keep the United Kingdom together. They have promised greater powers of self-determination for Scotland if voters reject independence.
Mr. Salmond retorted that, since 1945, 142 countries have chosen independence and not one has ever asked to give it up.