Salmond Quits: Nationalism Loses Its Face

Alex Salmond may be standing down as First Minister after his defeat in the independence referendum - but given his track record it is hard to believe he will not remain an influential figure in Scottish life.

Regardless of the vote, few would dispute his abilities as a political tactician, having led the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) to a stunning victory in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election.

Born in Linlithgow in 1954, Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond was educated at Linlithgow Academy and St Andrew's University, where he first joined the SNP.

Graduating with a degree in economics and history, he worked as an economist for both the Government Economic Service and the Royal Bank of Scotland before being elected as an MP for the Banff and Buchan constituency in 1987.

Alex Salmond poses for a selfie with a young voter

His election at Westminster followed a turbulent period for the SNP, which saw its number of seats fall from 11 to two in the 1979 General Election.

As a young and brash newcomer, Mr Salmond played a role in the breakaway faction of the party known as the "79 Group" which sought to take a more left-wing stance.

His brief expulsion as a result did not hinder his advancement within the party in the long-term, with his election to leader coming in 1990.

With the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Mr Salmond went on to serve as leader of the opposition at Holyrood, while retaining his seat at Westminster.

Mr Salmond in 2004 calling for Tony Blair's head over the Iraq war

He stood down as SNP leader in 2000 and left the Scottish Parliament in 2001.

Returning as leader in 2004, he guided the SNP to a narrow Scottish election win in 2007 and then led a minority government as he became Scotland's first SNP First Minister, with his wife Moira by his side.

That success was superseded in the 2011 election, when Mr Salmond led his party to an unprecedented victory, with a crushing defeat of its main rival and pre-election poll leaders Labour.

It meant the SNP's manifesto pledge to hold an independence referendum could be delivered.

Mr Salmond with the Queen at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2007

Mr Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement with David Cameron on October 15 2012, setting out the terms of the vote.

Despite attempts by some in the Yes camp to move the focus away from him, Mr Salmond was seen across the UK - and the wider world - as synonymous with the Scottish independence movement.

During his time as First Minister he has had his fair share of controversies, including the decision to free Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al Megrahi on compassionate grounds.

Mr Salmond in the second TV debate with No campaign leader Alistair Darling

But over the past year, his White Paper on independence has been the focus of criticism from his unionist rivals, most notably over his currency plans and oil revenue projections.

He was generally held to have lost the first televised referendum debate with Better Together leader Alistair Darling, but made a barnstorming return in the second.

It failed to translate into majority support for independence and the No campaign are now celebrating a clear victory.

But whatever happens next, Mr Salmond will go down in history as the man who led the battle for independence to its highest watermark in over 300 years.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alex Salmond Quits After Scotland Votes No

Devo Max: What New Powers Can Scotland Have?

Updated: 4:18pm UK, Friday 19 September 2014

David Cameron has pledged new powers for Scotland that some have said amount to Devo Max. However, it's not quite as clear cut as that.

What is Devo Max?

Scottish Parliament basically gets power over everything - apart from defence and foreign affairs. Maximum devolution.

Is that on offer?

No it's not, although some say David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband have come close to that.

What powers does Scotland already have?

It makes its own laws on health, education, law and order, environment, social services, housing, local government, tourism, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and some areas of transport. It can also raise or lower its income tax by 3p, but has not used this power.

What does Westminster have control of?

Defence, social security, immigration, benefits, foreign policy, employment, broadcasting, trade and industry, nuclear energy, oil, gas and electricity, consumer affairs and the constitution.

What powers will be given away in this quasi Devo Max deal?

It is not entirely clear. More power over setting income tax is definitely on the agenda, and control of housing benefits too. Holyrood is unlikely to get control over the oil take or corporation tax.

Under Gordon Brown's 12-point plan, giveaways include power over borrowing, job creation, social care and employment rights. The Scottish Parliament will also be confirmed as permanent, binding future governments to ensure its continued existence.

But what about England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Well, Mr Cameron has also promised more powers for Wales and Northern Ireland and to listen to the "millions of voices of England". He has promised to address the problem of "English votes for English laws" or the West Lothian question as it is also called. 

At the moment Scotland's 59 MPs can vote on matters that affect all of the UK but English MPs cannot vote on Scottish matters where powers have been devolved to Holyrood. 

With the promise of new powers for Scotland's Parliament, it has led to calls of "unfair" and for England to get more powers and the Prime Minister has said he will deliver. A sort of devolution revolution, if you will. 

Leader of the House of Commons William Hague is in charge of drawing up these plans but do expect that the Lib Dems and Labour will have rival versions. No cross-party consensus has been reached as with devolved powers for Scotland.

Make no mistake, it's a major shake-up - and yes, it will be an election issue.

So when is all this going to happen?

Gordon Brown has tabled a House of Commons debate over his planned 12-point power giveaway and the timetable for its delivery in mid-October.

There intention is that a new draft law to be drawn up by January 25 (Burns Night). Alex Salmond has agreed to talks to thrash out the details of these new powers but he will clearly be trying to get as close to delivering Devo Max as he can - having lost the battle for independence. It will not be passed until after the General Election in May but as there is a cross-party agreement theoretically, this should not provide a problem.

But the plans for England, Wales and Scotland do not have to work to the same timetable. They could be far more contentious as the parties are unlikely to agree on plans. Any English votes for English laws will put Labour at a distinct disadvantage as it effectively loses 40 MPs if its Scottish politicians are not included.

In addition, English MPs may be reluctant to allow new powers for Scotland to go through when they don't know "what's in it for them". 

In short, this could get messy and take a very long time.

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Police Probe Glasgow Voter Fraud Allegations

Alienation Sparked Historic Scotland Poll

Updated: 12:54am UK, Friday 19 September 2014

By Adam Boulton, Sky News Presenter

The genesis of Scotland's independence vote really lies in the outcome of the 2010 General Election.

The Labour governments under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown broadly reflected how Scots had voted and they restored the Scottish Parliament after a 300-year adjournment.

But in 2010 Scots ended up with a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government, although Labour MPs had been elected in 41 out of Scotland's 59 Constituencies.

The Conservatives have just one MP north of the border.

There was a mood of alienation from Westminster politics which was ripe for exploitation.

The Scottish National Party capitalised and in the 2011 elections for the Holyrood parliament they won a remarkable overall majority in spite of a proportional representation voting system - 69 out of 129 seats.

This gave Alex Salmond, the SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister, a clear mandate to hold a referendum on Scotland's future and he began negotiations with the UK Prime Minister with whom authority to hold binding plebiscites ultimately lay.

On October 15, 2012 David Cameron and Mr Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement announcing a decisive referendum on Scotland's future.

The agreement gave Mr Salmond most of what he was asking for.

The question would be "Should Scotland be an independent country?" rather than "Should Scotland remain part of the UK?" - giving independence the traditional advantage of being a Yes campaign.

Mr Cameron insisted it should be an all-or-nothing vote by ruling out a second question offering the softer option of further devolution.

Since so-called "devo-max" is now a last-minute offer from the No side anyway, Mr Cameron will face potentially politically fatal recriminations for the way he handled these negotiations should Yes win the day.

But for most of the two years leading up to the referendum, there was a complacent assumption in London that No would prevail.

Even after Mr Salmond published his blueprint, Scotland's Future, last November the opinion polls remained static at around 60% for No and 40% for Yes.

The UK Government decided to frame the referendum as an argument for Scottish voters alone, ignoring the consequences for the rest of the UK.

Mr Cameron refused to engage in TV debates with Mr Salmond, leaving that job to Alistair Darling, the former Labour chancellor and a Scottish MP.

The Better Together No campaign focused on the possible pitfalls of independence rather than highlighting the advantages of union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This strategy was greatly aided by a speech from the Governor of the Bank of England this spring, pointing out the difficulties an independent Scotland would have continuing to use the pound sterling as its currency.

The currency question has been the Achilles heel of Mr Salmond's campaign.

Originally, he saw Scotland as a member of the Eurozone but abandoned that after the 2008 financial crisis.

Under his revised plans an independent Scotland would keep the Queen, the pound and most other aspects of the Union as well as membership of Nato and the EU.

Mr Salmond failed to produce compelling evidence that his putative partners would agree to his deals.

But he dismissed the doubters as "scaremongers" in a UK Government-run "Project Fear".

With just 11 days to go until polling, the mood changed dramatically for both sides.

A single opinion poll by YouGov for the Sunday Times put independence in the lead by 51% to 49%.

A shocked Mr Cameron cancelled parliamentary business to lead an emergency delegation to Scotland.

He, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg all hit the campaign trail for No.

In an emotional speech in Glasgow the Prime Minister appealed "head, heart and soul" for Scots to stick with the Union.

A stream of big businesses including Standard Life insurance, RBS and major phone companies warned of dire economic consequences if Scotland went independent.

Backed by a "vow" from the three UK party leaders, Mr Brown swung into action, promising "Scottish Home Rule" if it rejected full independence.

But by now the Yes campaign felt it had momentum behind it and brushed off negative predictions, which seemed to have little impact on the polls.

A record 97% of those eligible to vote, 4.3m people, registered for the referendum.

If Yes could turn them out, victory appeared to be in its grasp.

Yes supporters tended to be younger, poorer and more outspoken than those on the No side.

There were allegations of intimidating behaviour and a "sour atmosphere" according to Mr Darling.

But both he and Mr Salmond promised to accept the outcome even if it meant defeat for their side - and to work to re-unite the divided Scots.

:: Watch live: Scottish referendum coverage on Sky News Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.

:: Live coverage is also available on sky.com/news and Sky News for iPad and on your mobile phone.

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Early Scotland Results Suggest 'UK Will Be Safe'

Early results in the Scottish referendum have led one senior member of the Westminster Government to say he believes the "United Kingdom will be safe".

Voters sided with the Better Together team in the Western Isles (10,544 to 9,195) and Clackmannanshire (19,036 to 16,350) - both key Yes targets.

The No strongholds of Shetland (9,951 to 5,669) and Orkney (10,004 to 4,883) saw the voters reject independence.

David Cameron is due to make a live TV address to the nation from 10 Downing Street once the result is confirmed.

The Prime Minister is expected to set out not only proposals to devolve more powers to the Scottish Parliament, but also significant changes for other parts of the country.

Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove said the announcement could involve reforms to ensure only English MPs can vote on English issues at Westminster.

He told Sky News: "It does look as though - and I'm keeping every limb crossed - the United Kingdom will be safe.

Mr Gove said Mr Cameron's statement would recognise "that Scotland needs enhanced devolution... (and that) it's also important to recognise that the rest of the United Kingdom needs to have its position enhanced as well, in Northern Ireland, in Wales and, of course, in England".

The referendum looks set to break records for turnout, with figures as high as 91% in East Dunbartonshire, 90.4% in East Renfrewshire and 90.1% in Stirling.

A poll taken by YouGov after people voted predicted a victory for No by 54% to 46% for Yes.

And even before the first results were announced, its president Peter Kellner told Sky News: "I can't see No losing this now.

"At the obvious risk of looking like a complete prat in eight hours' time, I would say it is a 99% certainty of a No victory."

Despite the survey, the chairman of Yes Scotland, former Labour MP Dennis Canavan, told Sky News: "I'm still optimistic ... I'm not at this stage conceding the result."

Speaking on Sky News, Blair McDougall, the Better Together campaign director, welcomed the high turnout.

"There has been the biggest super-poll in Scottish political history today with probably the biggest turnout in recent political history.

Sky News has learned officials at the referendum count in Glasgow are investigating 10 cases of suspected electoral fraud at polling stations.

Although the votes are being counted at 32 regional centres - whichever side "wins" in each area is irrelevant.

All that matters is whoever gets the most overall - even if it is by a single vote.

:: Watch live: Scottish referendum coverage now on Sky News Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.

:: Live coverage is also available on sky.com/news and Sky News for iPad and on your mobile phone.

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Scottish Independence: Decision Day For Voters

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Around four million Scottish voters go to the polls today in a referendum that will change Britain forever, whatever the outcome.

A Yes vote at the end of a hard-fought campaign will bring an end to the Union of the United Kingdom that has stood for more than 300 years.

But a No vote will bring big change, too, with David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg pledging more devolution, more cash and more control over the NHS in Scotland.

Voters will be asked a simple question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

After the polls close at 10pm tonight, counting of the votes takes place at 32 regional centres all over Scotland and then once each result is in, the numbers will be sent to the main counting centre in Edinburgh.

The earliest declarations, at around 2am on Friday, will include North Lanarkshire, Orkney, East Lothian and Perth and Kinross.

The latest, at 6am, is expected to be Aberdeen. Dundee is expected at 3am and Edinburgh and Glasgow at 5am.

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Muslim Aid Workers Make Plea For UK Hostage

A British Muslim aid worker has made a direct appeal to Islamic State's leader to show "compassion and mercy" to UK hostage Alan Henning.

The father-of-two from Salford travelled to Syria with charity workers in December, but was kidnapped and now faces beheading at the hands of the terrorist dubbed 'Jihadi John'.

In the video, addressed directly to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the man describes travelling "several times" to Syria with Mr Henning.

"On all occasions, we - your Muslim brothers - brought him with us under our care and protection," he says.

New footage shows Mr Henning saying his aid trip is 'all worthwhile'

"Alan was so moved by the suffering of the Syrian people, in particular the children, that he devoted all his free time in raising money and awareness about their suffering.

"He washed cars to raise money, he collected aid, he talked to everybody he met about crimes committed against the Muslims in Syria."

It comes as new footage shows Mr Henning en route to Syria, saying it is "all worthwhile" to make sure aid gets to where it is needed.

Mr Henning, a taxi driver, was kidnapped within 30 minutes of crossing from Turkey into Syria.

The unnamed man says Mr Henning is a selfless man, a 'good man'

He had volunteered to drive an ambulance full of medical aid as part of a community-funded charity trip organised by volunteers from Bolton and the UK Arab Society.

It is believed he was abducted by IS in Al Dana, a town 38km (24 miles) from Aleppo.

Reports suggest he was separated from Muslim counterparts by masked men.

Friends who travelled with the 47-year-old said they made desperate attempt to get him freed before returning to the UK without him.

The taxi driver drove an ambulance to deliver aid to Syria's refugees

The man in the video appeal describes Mr Henning's commitment to raise as much money as he could for refugees of Syria's civil war.

The YouTube appeal was partly coordinated by Cage - a group campaigning against the so-called "war on terror".

Emotionally overwhelmed at the end of the video, the man urges IS leader al Baghdadi to "please, please, please, release Alan."

"He has no affiliation with any political agenda," he says.

The video was addressed to IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi

"Show him compassion and mercy as he showed compassion and mercy to Muslims of Syria."

Alan Henning appeared at the end of the video released on Saturday in which fellow UK hostage David Haines was beheaded by IS - with a threat that he would be next.

:: The Muslim Council of Britain has called for the immediate release of Mr Henning without harm.

Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Such a man should be celebrated, not incarcerated. Taking such people hostage, and murdering them, are against the principles laid out in the Qur'an and our Prophetic traditions.

"These actions are against the spirit of the Shariah which Henning's captors reportedlyclaim to uphold."

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Sky Poll: Scots Unclear Over No Vote Powers

How Facebook Shaped The Referendum

Updated: 8:27am UK, Tuesday 16 September 2014

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

It's Facebook 'wot might win it.

Sure, the August poll surge in support for independence was down, in part, to traditional campaigning. Meetings and megaphones have thrust the Yes campaign "in yer face" over years leading up to Thursday.

But why, according to the opinion polls, did it all seem to come together in the space of a few weeks? Why, suddenly, the knife-edge?

In the word of a senior Yes strategist: Facebook.

I chatted to him as the Alex Salmond Labour Heartland tour rolled up at its latest venue, playing to the target market through the TV cameras. It was a big, well-attended, photo-call - the staple diet of the political campaign.

As the strategist stood back from the madding crowd, he told me that the magic formula didn't lie in the blood and snotters of a mass media scrum, but in the quiet exploitation of social media. Facebook, in particular.

The challenge for supporters of Scottish independence, historically, has been in turning it from a fringe notion into something people allow themselves to contemplate. Check their election success at the Scottish Parliament to see the considerable style with which that's been accomplished.

Scots have taken the hop and a step. Why, now, might they be shaping to take the jump? 

The Yes strategist pinned it on Facebook.

"Ask yourself," he said, to paraphrase him, "if a parent wants to check on their youngster who's on a night out, what do they do?  They don't phone them, because they probably won't answer.

"They might text ... but, invariably, they'll Facebook them. And when they do, dozens or hundreds of their friends will see it. It's a chat network that plugs people into the other people they value. There are no better opinion-formers for someone than the friends and family they like and trust.

"So, as a campaigning tool, it's been very effective. We encourage Yes supporters to spread the word to their Facebook friends and, over time, you build a network around people that builds a political case.

"Facebook is more effective than Twitter. You put something on Twitter and you reach people within the political bubble. With Facebook, you tap into a far bigger community."

So why the spike in support for Yes after polls that had No with a consistent and strong lead over the course of a two and a half year campaign?

"People just didn't turn their mind to the referendum until it actually came round. It's been in the far distance for most of the campaign but, now that people realise they're getting to decision time, large numbers are now weighing up the arguments ... and they're deciding having had their views on independence softened by Facebook friends."

There were more than 10 million referendum-related interactions on Facebook in the five weeks to September 8 - 85% of which was from Scotland.

He said he reckoned the Yes campaign had been four or five times more active than their opponents on Facebook and pointed out a Facebook chat with Scotland's pro-independence First Minister Alex Salmond attracted around 5,000 questions.

Data suggests the Yes campaign is slightly in the lead with 2.05 interactions in Scotland compared to 1.96 million for the no campaign.

The strategist said the campaigning beauty of social media was that it eliminated the need to rely on mainstream media coverage, that the likes of Facebook cut out the middle man and enabled them to reach out to the voter directly.

Just how many the campaign has touched and what effect it has had, we'll find out soon enough.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Salmond: No One Can Stop Scotland Using Pound

How Facebook Shaped The Referendum

Updated: 8:27am UK, Tuesday 16 September 2014

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

It's Facebook 'wot might win it.

Sure, the August poll surge in support for independence was down, in part, to traditional campaigning. Meetings and megaphones have thrust the Yes campaign "in yer face" over years leading up to Thursday.

But why, according to the opinion polls, did it all seem to come together in the space of a few weeks? Why, suddenly, the knife-edge?

In the word of a senior Yes strategist: Facebook.

I chatted to him as the Alex Salmond Labour Heartland tour rolled up at its latest venue, playing to the target market through the TV cameras. It was a big, well-attended, photo-call - the staple diet of the political campaign.

As the strategist stood back from the madding crowd, he told me that the magic formula didn't lie in the blood and snotters of a mass media scrum, but in the quiet exploitation of social media. Facebook, in particular.

The challenge for supporters of Scottish independence, historically, has been in turning it from a fringe notion into something people allow themselves to contemplate. Check their election success at the Scottish Parliament to see the considerable style with which that's been accomplished.

Scots have taken the hop and a step. Why, now, might they be shaping to take the jump? 

The Yes strategist pinned it on Facebook.

"Ask yourself," he said, to paraphrase him, "if a parent wants to check on their youngster who's on a night out, what do they do?  They don't phone them, because they probably won't answer.

"They might text ... but, invariably, they'll Facebook them. And when they do, dozens or hundreds of their friends will see it. It's a chat network that plugs people into the other people they value. There are no better opinion-formers for someone than the friends and family they like and trust.

"So, as a campaigning tool, it's been very effective. We encourage Yes supporters to spread the word to their Facebook friends and, over time, you build a network around people that builds a political case.

"Facebook is more effective than Twitter. You put something on Twitter and you reach people within the political bubble. With Facebook, you tap into a far bigger community."

So why the spike in support for Yes after polls that had No with a consistent and strong lead over the course of a two and a half year campaign?

"People just didn't turn their mind to the referendum until it actually came round. It's been in the far distance for most of the campaign but, now that people realise they're getting to decision time, large numbers are now weighing up the arguments ... and they're deciding having had their views on independence softened by Facebook friends."

There were more than 10 million referendum-related interactions on Facebook in the five weeks to September 8 - 85% of which was from Scotland.

He said he reckoned the Yes campaign had been four or five times more active than their opponents on Facebook and pointed out a Facebook chat with Scotland's pro-independence First Minister Alex Salmond attracted around 5,000 questions.

Data suggests the Yes campaign is slightly in the lead with 2.05 interactions in Scotland compared to 1.96 million for the no campaign.

The strategist said the campaigning beauty of social media was that it eliminated the need to rely on mainstream media coverage, that the likes of Facebook cut out the middle man and enabled them to reach out to the voter directly.

Just how many the campaign has touched and what effect it has had, we'll find out soon enough.

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Westminster Leaders Pledge 'No' Vote Powers

By Niall Paterson, News Correspondent

A promise of more powers for Scotland if it rejects independence has been signed by the leaders of the three main parties at Westminster.

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have put their names to a letter which appears on the front page of the Daily Record newspaper.

It promises "extensive new powers" for the Scottish Parliament "delivered by the process and to the timetable agreed" by the three parties.

But independence campaigners argue a Yes vote in Thursday's referendum is the only way to guarantee Scotland gets the powers it needs.

In the letter, the party leaders say they agree that "the UK exists to ensure opportunity and security for all by sharing our resources equitably across all four nations".

The joint letter also states: "And because of the continuation of the Barnett allocation for resources and the powers of the Scottish Parliament to raise revenue, we can state categorically that the final say on how much is spent on the NHS will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament."

A spokesman for Yes Scotland said: "It's clear that project panic is willing to say anything in the last few days of the campaign to try to halt the Yes momentum - anything except what new powers, if any, they might be willing to offer.

"The reality is that the only way to guarantee Scotland gets all the powers we need to create jobs and protect our NHS is with a Yes vote on Thursday - so that we can use our enormous wealth to create a better and fairer country."

With the referendum just days away, the polls suggest the crucial vote will go to the wire.

Little wonder then that as the campaign enters its tightly balanced and ferociously fought endgame, passion has occasionally turned to anger.

Both sides now accuse the other of intimidation - Yes crying foul and accusing Downing Street of an orchestrated campaign of fear; Better Together claiming that their campaigners and supporters are routinely shouted down, bullied and abused.

The party leaders' pledge appeared on the front of the Daily Record

No doubt in every town across Scotland reasoned debate has on occasion morphed into ill-tempered shouting match.

Yet both sides now recognise the need, after the vote, to move forward as one nation, independent or otherwise.

Leader of the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling, told Sky News: "Whatever the result, it's up to everyone whether you're a politician or whether you're not to make sure that as a country we work together because that's in all our interests."

In truth, there is little that has happened which hasn't happened in every election since time immemorial.

Online, the invective is certainly brutal.

Keyboard warriors feel free to deploy some pretty hideous insults in support of their argument.

Yet that was as true during the 2005 election, when the blogosphere was a key part of the electoral narrative.

And it is certainly the case that politicians being heckled and, yes, abused in pretty unparliamentary language, is nothing new.

Alex Salmond argues only a Yes vote can deliver the powers Scotland needs

Still, the heckling does seem to be largely directed at Better Together.

And online, again the weight of less-than-constructive criticism does seem to be borne by those on the No side.

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Nobody should be intimidating, nobody should feel intimidated.

"I really strongly believe that based on my own experiences on the campaign trail that we're engaged in something really spectacular in Scotland right now."

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Scotland Campaign Trail 'Sours', Says Darling

The atmosphere in the Scottish independence race has become "soured", according to the leader of the Better Together campaign.

Alistair Darling said aspects of the trail were "deeply depressing", as he cited a demonstration against a broadcaster whose reporting was perceived to be biased against independence.

Up to 1,000 Yes supporters held a demo outside BBC Scotland's headquarters in Glasgow on Sunday.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We believe our coverage of the referendum has been rigorously impartial and in line with our guidelines on fairness and impartiality."

Mr Darling told Sky News Tonight: "How depressing was it when people marched through the streets of Glasgow with posters of journalists that were out of favour with the nationalists."

He said some people found the protest "deeply sinister" and he said people should not feel bullied into voting Yes.

A protest outside the BBC in Glasgow on Sunday

"The atmosphere has been soured in recent weeks", he told Sky's Adam Boulton.

And he urged the country to unite after Thursday's referendum, regardless of whether there was a Yes or No vote.

He said: "Whatever the result it is up to everyone to make sure as a country we work together because it is in all our interests."

Mr Darling said there were supporters of the union who were afraid to speak out.

And he said as the polls narrowed "it has galvanised a lot of people who up until now, have been reluctant to say things, that this is so big that I am not prepared to let my country go the wrong way".

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said people must be able "to express a view in a peaceful and joyous fashion".

Asked in an interview with the Sunday Herald whether the BBC's referendum coverage was biased, he responded: "Yes, absolutely."

He added: "Don't get me wrong, I like these folk, but they don't realise they're biased. It's the unconscious bias which is the most ­extraordinary thing of all."

Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael claimed Yes campaigners were using "intimidation tactics" and called on Mr Salmond to act.

He said: "The reality of this is the people who are jostled in the streets, the people who are pushed off the streets are not Alex Salmond or Nicola Sturgeon or John Swinney; it's people like John Prescott and Alistair Darling.

"And they are pushed off the streets by people waving Yes posters.

"If there is bullying here, clearly there is now quite a serious atmosphere where people who are supporting a No vote don't feel comfortable in saying so publicly."

Mr Salmond has claimed the Prime Minister's "fingerprints are all over a scaremongering" campaign by banks, businesses and leading retailers who have voiced their concerns over independence.

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Radicalisation Threat To All: Victim's Brother

The brother of murdered hostage David Haines has said radicalisation poses a threat to "the wholesale safety of every person in the world".

The British aid worker was beheaded by the Islamic State militant group in a video released on Saturday in which a jihadist also threatened another UK hostage with death.

Mr Haines' brother Michael said Britons fleeing to Syria and Iraq to join fundamentalists should face harsh penalties when they return to the UK.

He said: "We agree with the Government that ISIL (IS) is extremely dangerous and poses a threat to every nation, every religion, every politics and every person."

Mr Haines said "radicalisation remains the biggest threat to the wholesale safety of every person in the world" and "we are seeing more and more" of it "in every walk of life".

David Haines was killed by Islamic State

He also said radicalisation was "not a race, religion, or political issue" but was a "human issue", adding the Muslim faith was not to blame for IS.

Mr Haines said his family also agreed with the Government that Britons travelling to fight with IS "need to face the consequences of their actions when they return to the UK".

He went on: "My first reaction could be one of hatred but my brother's life wasn't about hatred, it was about love."

David Haines was seized as he worked with the aid agency ACTED in Syria in March 2013.

Michael Haines said his brother could not wait to go to the country: "He was really excited. Very enthusiastic.

"He was going across to look at the logistics and planning, how best to put ACTED's operation into a safe operation. He was very happy to go."

Michael Haines earlier paid tribute to his brother, from Perth in Scotland, saying the father-of-two was "just another bloke" and "a good brother".

He said in a statement issued through the Foreign Office: "His joy and anticipation for the work he went to do in Syria is for myself and family the most important element of this whole sad affair.

"He was and is loved by all his family and will be missed terribly."

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PM: We Will 'Hunt Down' David Haines' Killers

David Cameron has vowed that Britain will "hunt down" those responsible for the murder of British aid worker David Haines and bring them to justice.

Speaking from Downing Street after chairing a meeting of Cobra, Mr Cameron described Islamic State extremists as "monsters" who are part of a "fanatical organisation".

"We will hunt down those responsible and bring them to justice, no matter how long it takes," Mr Cameron said.

"David Haines was an aid worker. He went into harm's way, not to harm people but to help his fellow human beings in the hour of their direst need, from the Balkans to the Middle East.

"David Haines was a British hero. The fact that an aid worker was taken, held and brutally murdered at the hand of Islamic State sums up what this organisation stands for.

A man wearing black addresses David Cameron in the video

"They boast of their brutality. They claim to do this in the name of Islam. That is nonsense - Islam is a religion of peace."

Earlier in the day Mr Cameron held emergency talks with senior representatives of the military, the security services, the Foreign Office and the Home Office.

He returned to Downing Street shortly after midnight when IS released a video which showed Mr Haines' death.

Government sources say the death will not change Britain's policy and Parliament will not be recalled.

But Mr Cameron said Britain's security depends upon taking action against the extremists.

Mr Haines has been described as a 'British hero' (Pic: Lance Baldwin)

"It must strengthen our resolve. We must recognise that it will take time to eradicate a threat like this. It will require, as I have described, action at home and abroad," he said.

"This is not something we can do on our own. We have to work with the rest of the world.

"Ultimately, our security as a nation, the way we go about our everyday lives in this free and tolerant society that is Britain, has always depended on our readiness to act against those who stand for hatred and who stand for destruction."

Mr Haines was taken hostage in Syria last year

The footage of Mr Haines' death shows a knife-wielding militant who speaks with a British accent.

The clip also includes a threat to kill a second hostage, later named as Alan Henning, who was a volunteer on an aid convoy.

In the video, Mr Haines looks into the camera and makes a statement, holding Mr Cameron responsible for his own "execution".

In the statement, which appears to have been made under duress, he said: "You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State just as your predecessor Tony Blair did, following a trend against our British prime ministers who can't find the courage to say 'no' to the Americans.

"Unfortunately it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament's selfish decisions."

Mr Cameron returned to Downing Street for crisis talks

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "All the signs are that the video is genuine. We have no reason to believe it is not."

The aid agency that Mr Haines was working for when he was taken hostage in 2013 said it was "appalled and horrified" by the killing.

"ACTED strongly condemns with the utmost of force these crimes. In this tragic moment, our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones," the agency said.

The killing comes just weeks after American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were beheaded by Islamic State (IS). Those deaths were also filmed, and the videos were released on the internet.

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PM Condemns 'Murder' Of British Aid Worker

British Prime David Cameron has condemned the beheading of British aid worker David Haines by Islamic State, describing it as an "act of pure evil".

A video put out by the militant organisation shows 44-year-old father of two Mr Haines being murdered.

In a statement put out by Downing Street tonight, Mr Cameron says: "This is a despicable and appalling murder of an innocent aid worker. It is an act of pure evil.

"My heart goes out to the family of David Haines who have shown extraordinary courage and fortitude throughout this ordeal.

"We will do everything in our power to hunt down these murderers and ensure they face justice, however long it takes."

Mr Haines brother Mike said his sibling was "just another bloke" who "helped whoever needed help" until he was murdered "in cold blood".

David Cameron has returned to Downing Street

Mr Haines was thought have been held captive by militant group Islamic State after being kidnapped from a Syrian refugee camp close to the border with Turkey last year.

Mr Cameron has returned to Downing Street and will chair a Cobra meeting today, officials confirmed.

The release of the video came hours after Mr Haines family urged his captors to contact them.

In the video, the victim looks into the camera makes a statement, holding Mr Cameron responsible for his own "execution"

In the statement, which may have been made under duress, he said: "You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State just as your predecessor Tony Blair did, following a trend against our British prime ministers who can't find the courage to say 'no' to the Americans.

"Unfortunately it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament's selfish decisions."

The killing comes just weeks after two American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were also seen being beheaded by Islamic State (IS), in similarly filmed videos.

Behind Mr Haines, stood a man in black, who appeared to speak with an English accent.

British aid worker David Haines

After Mr Haines finished, the man said : "This British man has to the pay the price for your promise, Cameron, to arm the peshmerga against the Islamic State.

"Your evil alliance with America which continues to strike the Muslims of Iraq and most recently bombed the Haditha Dam will only accelerate your destruction."

"If you, Cameron, persist in fighting the Islamic State then you like your master Obama will have the blood of your people on your hands."

Another man who Sky News is not naming, said to be British, then appears at the end of the video and is threatened with being killed.

The Foreign Office said Mr Haines' family wished to be left alone.

US President Barack Obama has put out a statement saying: "Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Haines and to the people of the United Kingdom.

"The United States stands shoulder to shoulder tonight with our close friend and ally in grief and resolve."

The murders have prompted a number of commentators to call for swift and firm action. Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt said the UK should respond by playing its role in the assault against IS promised by US president Barack Obama.

"What we absolutely need to do is not be cowed in any way by yet another foul murder of a hostage," he said.

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IS: Beheading Is Revenge For UK Helping Kurds

The beheading of British hostage David Haines was in retaliation for David Cameron promising to arm Kurdish fighters in Iraq, says Islamic State.

Aid worker Mr Haines was killed by the insurgent group in a video where he is pictured kneeling in front of an IS extremist who is holding a knife.

The jihadist, who appears to have a British accent, said: "This British man has to pay the price for your promise, Cameron, to arm the peshmerga against the Islamic State."

He criticised the UK's "evil alliance with America", calling the Prime Minister an "obedient lapdog".

He also said the US "continues to strike the Muslims of Iraq and most recently bombed the Haditha Dam (which) will only accelerate your destruction".

"And playing the role of the obedient lapdog Cameron will only drag you and your people into another bloody and unwinnable war".

The militant added: "If you, Cameron, persist in fighting the Islamic State then you like your master Obama will have the blood of your people on your hands."

David Cameron returns to Downing Street for crisis talks

Mr Haines, speaking under duress, also talked to the camera, saying he held the Prime Minister "entirely responsible for my execution".

He added: "You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State just as your predecessor Tony Blair did, following a trend against our British prime ministers who can't find the courage to say no to the Americans.

"Unfortunately it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament's selfish decisions."

The video began with an interview clip of the Prime Minister and then featured Mr Haines, dressed in orange overalls, making his remarks.

IS militants previously beheaded two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, posting the evidence online in videos featuring a masked jihadist with a British accent.

Mr Cameron described Mr Haines' beheading as "an act of pure evil".

He added: "My heart goes out to the family of David Haines who have shown extraordinary courage and fortitude throughout this ordeal.

"We will do everything in our power to hunt down these murderers and ensure they face justice, however long it takes."

The Foreign Office said it was offering the Haines family "every support possible".

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