Gordon Brown has 'sold his Scottish soul' says SNP chief

SNP leader Alex Salmond today accused Gordon Brown of "selling his Scottish soul" in his determination to become the next Prime Minister.

Mr Salmond made the charge at the SNP's annual Bannockburn Rally where he called for Scots to speak out against a new generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde.

The Chancellor angered anti-nuclear campaigners by saying he wants to keep an independent nuclear deterrent "for the long term".

Downing Street has promised a White Paper and a "proper debate".

But Mr Salmond said today: "If the London Government is so keen to develop and extend Britain's nuclear capability, let them base their missiles on the Thames.

"The Clyde has been defiled long enough.

"Every week we see more evidence of Gordon Brown selling his Scottish soul for the sake of the top job in London. He has become Dr Strangebrown, with his nuclear obsession."

Mr Salmond went on: "Gordon Brown is trying to prove he is tough enough, that he is the true heir to Blair, but by currying favour with the nuclear lobby he is abandoning any claim to represent the interests of his own nation.

"He has cut for good any remaining ties with the folk back home."