The majority of people across the UK believe there should be a TV debate between David Cameron and Alex Salmond on independence.
A new poll of 1,000 Scots shows 63% are in favour of a televised debate between the Prime Minister and First Minister, with just 25% against.
A second poll of 1,000 people south of the Border also backs the move, with 56% in favour of a TV showdown in the weeks leading up to the September referendum.
David Cameron has so far resisted calls by the First Minister to hold a TV debate, insisting Better Together leader Alistair Darling should be the one taking on Mr Salmond.
In a letter to the Prime Minister released last night, Mr Salmond said: “It seems that you want to dictate the terms of the debate about Scotland’s future without taking the democratic responsibility to defend your views in open debate.
“That is simply unacceptable. It is only right and proper that myself, as the head of the Scottish Government, and you as the head of the Westminster Government should debate key issues at the heart of the referendum such as Scotland’s funding so that the people of Scotland understand exactly what the consequences of both a Yes and No vote are in September’s referendum.”
The opinion poll, commissioned by the SNP, was carried out in the week before Christmas and asked: “Do you think that there should be a televised referendum debate between Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to argue the case for an independent Scotland, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron to argue the case for the UK?”
A total of 63% of people in Scotland said yes, 25% said no and a further 11% were unsure.
South of the border the results were 56% in favour of the debate, 24% against and 19% did not know.
Rejecting the proposed TV debate last year, Mr Cameron said: “I understand why you might wish to pursue such a diversionary tactic. It is a convenient means of deflecting attention away from the real issues the lack of credibility of your plans for a currency union, funding pensions and managing volatile oil revenues.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe