Alex Salmond has reignited his feud with Nicola Sturgeon by claiming there has been a “total lack of progress” by her Government over independence.
The former First Minister also hit out at an apparent absence of “will, determination and statecraft” over the last seven years - the period in which Sturgeon has led the country.
Salmond launched a new pro-indy party, Alba, in the wake of his bitter fallout with Nicola Sturgeon.
Alba’s aim is to secure a “super majority” of pro-independence MSPs and is only contesting the regional List elections for Holyrood.
However, despite preaching pro-independence unity, Salmond has criticised his predecessor’s strategy on the flagship policy.
Sturgeon favours a joint agreement with the UK Government on indyref2, but Salmond believes this should be one of a number of options.
He has floated peaceful street demonstrations as well as courting international opinion as alternatives.
In an interview with “Barrhead Boy”, Salmond praised the Government he led for seven years from 2007.
He claimed his minority administration did some “amazing” things and talked up the guile he believed his majority SNP Government showed in securing the first referendum in 2014.
However, he pointedly contrasted this with Sturgeon’s tenure:
“Think of the lack of progress, and let’s face it there’s been a total lack of progress in the last seven years and compare that with where Scotland could be if there was not just a bare majority of independence-supporting MSPs, but a super-majority.”
He argued that a super majority does not “guarantee” either a vote on independence, or independence itself, but said:
“It requires will, determination and statecraft. These are the things which have not been obvious or in abundance over the last seven years.”
An SNP spokesperson said: "Support for Scottish Independence has never been higher because of the exceptional leadership of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. A consistent majority in favour demonstrates independence is becoming the settled will of the Scottish people.
"And the people of Scotland will have the right to choose that independent future in a post-pandemic referendum - but giving both votes to the SNP is the only safe way to deliver that."
