Salmond indy ref TV debate critic wants a rematch

John Corcoran was disappointed by Alex Salmond’s jokey manner.

The man who slapped down Alex Salmond for his “snide” remarks during the crunch referendum TV debate has said voters deserve better from the First Minister.

The Sunday Post has tracked down Dumbarton-based businessman John Corcoran who won plaudits for his comments about Mr Salmond, during a debate watched by nearly one million Scots.

Speaking from the debate’s live audience, Mr Corcoran told the SNP leader: “I’m disappointed with you, as a politician of some note, some of your remarks have been snide and not very nice. If this is what we are going to have in an independent Scotland, then obviously we are in for trouble.”

The comments drew applause from the audience but Mr Corcoran insisted he had gone into the debate with an open mind.

The 74-year-old, who runs a language school in Glasgow, said: “I was leaning towards a No vote before but I honestly went along wanting to hear what both men had to say on the currency. It’s the biggest issue for my company.

“We already have tough competition with places such as London because they have better flight connections, any problems with currency could create a big headache for the business.

“As the debate went on I was getting wound up so I just put up my hand and made my point. This is incredibly serious issue and I just felt Alex Salmond was being silly talking about aliens and jokes about driving on the other side of the road.

“It was not right for a night like that, such an important debate, and I told him so.”

Mr Corcoran said he would relish the chance to tackle the First Minister again.

“I just want to know what we are going to do if the currency union didn’t happen. In my business I could live with the Euro for example, but I just need to know what the contingency is.”