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Joe Vesey-Byrne
1489942800

Alex Salmond spoke before SNP conference
SNP
The former first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond has claimed he never said a referendum on independence for his nation was 'once in a lifetime'.
Salmond stood down as first minister and SNP leader in 2014, when his campaign for independence was defeated 55 to 44 per cent against leaving the United Kingdom.
Trying increase voter turnout, the 'Yes' to independence campaign stressed that this would be Scotland's chance to leave, and may not come again.
On Monday his successor Nicola Sturgeon called for a new referendum, arguing that the 'material' terms of union with the UK have changed due to Brexit.
Unionist opponents have called out the Scottish National Party for claiming the last referendum was once in a lifetime.
Alex Salmond denied saying it.
Yet this video, a clip from a 2014 interview on the Andrew Marr show would suggest otherwise.
@Iain_Whiteley Caught in a lie https://t.co/DKMe6Gjpv1— Mat Flusk 🐺 (@Mat Flusk 🐺) 1489920455
Despite this, on Sunday Salmond appeared on BBC 5 Live, and insisted the SNP had not reneged on their pledge not to hold another referendum shortly after the first one.
The phrase was not once in a lifetime, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.
Since the interview, Salmond posted a series of messages on Twitter.
The Politics Home story is bizarre. I wasn’t denying the once in a lifetime remark this morning, but rather…— Alex Salmond (@Alex Salmond) 1489935190
...pointing out that the interview in which it was actually made I described my view as “perhaps even once in a lifetime - OPPORTUNITY”— Alex Salmond (@Alex Salmond) 1489935300
By showing the actual interview from 2014, Politics Home confirm, rather than contradict, that this is what I actually said.— Alex Salmond (@Alex Salmond) 1489935343
On the radio this morning I was contrasting that remark from a television programme in 2014 with an election manifesto commitment from 2016…— Alex Salmond (@Alex Salmond) 1489935358
…in which Nicola Sturgeon said that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if…— Alex Salmond (@Alex Salmond) 1489935373
Politicians and alternative facts?
Same as it ever was.
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