ALEX Salmond yesterday sought to regain the initiative in the SNP's campaign for an independence referendum when he accused Scottish Industry Minister Brian Wilson of a U-turn on the issue.
He produced quotes from Mr Wilson going back over a decade showing him backing a plebiscite.
''Now he opposes such a referendum,'' Mr Salmond said in a BBC interview, adding: ''Of course, at that time Labour were over 30 points ahead of the SNP, whereas a second poll now confirms that the SNP are ahead of New Labour in Scottish Parliament voting intentions. Labour are scared of the Scottish people.''
A Labour spokesman said last night: ''Ten years ago there was no constitutional settlement on offer. The people have now spoken in the devolution referendum and in the General Election before that. They have made it clear that they don't want independence.''
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