Alex Salmond, Scotland's former first minister, has criticised Prince William for meeting with Gordon Brown during a recent royal visit to Scotland, accusing the Duke of Cambridge of becoming embroiled in the debate over Scottish independence. Mr Salmond described the meeting as 'foolish' and urged the royal family to remain above politics, following the example set by the Queen.
Mr Salmond, now leader of the fringe Alba Party, claimed that pro-union figures were showing 'unscrupulous unionist desperation' by attempting to involve the monarchy in the constitutional debate. He made the remarks after Prince William met with Mr Brown, the former Labour prime minister and a key figure in the successful 2014 campaign to keep Scotland in the UK, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Duke of Cambridge also held talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during his week-long tour of Scotland, as well as other politicians from across the political spectrum. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that Prince William had spoken to a broad range of people, including politicians, during his time in Scotland.
The row over Scottish independence has intensified following the Scottish National Party's victory in the Holyrood election in May, which produced a pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has maintained that the focus should be on recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic rather than on another independence referendum.
Mr Salmond insisted that the case for Scottish independence must now be progressed 'as a matter of urgency', and criticised the meeting between Prince William and Mr Brown as showing 'poor judgment on both sides'. He also referenced a previous attempt by David Cameron to involve the Queen in the 2014 referendum campaign, which he said had failed.
