Indyref Yes vote slumps as Salmond smells blood
A SHOCK poll on Scottish independence shows opponents have nosed ahead amid the bitter feud engulfing Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.
Taken just before Mr Salmond’s devastating attack on his former comrade, a survey of 1,000 Scots revealed 44 per cent would vote against independence – giving the No camp the lead for the first time since June.
Just 43 per cent would support a split from the union, with some respondents undecided, according to the Survation poll for the Sunday Mail.
The poll was carried out on Thursday before Mr Salmond’s appearance at the Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish government’s botched harassment probe. This week he is expected to launch a
damning second attack on Ms Sturgeon in a move which could force her to resign as first minister.
He will give evidence in private to a second inquiry set up to establish whether the SNP leader has broken the ministerial code.
A source close to Mr Salmond (pictured) said: ‘He will be able to say things in private which he hasn’t been able to mention up until now.
‘It will likely be damning for Nicola Sturgeon.’
Appearing at the Holyrood inquiry on Friday, the former first minister accused his successor of misleading parliament.
He disputed her
account of their meetings at her home, saying she was aware beforehand that they were arranged to discuss complaints to the government about him. Now he will give evidence to the second inquiry led by James Hamilton QC. If this probe establishes Ms Sturgeon broke rules governing ministerial conduct, she will face calls to resign – just weeks before the crucial Scottish parliament election.
New Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told Sky News that Ms Sturgeon should stand down if she is found to have breached the code. She will face tough questioning from MSPs at the Holyrood hearing on Wednesday.