A war of words erupted last night after Alex Salmond announced that his flagship plan for a referendum on independence will be published in the next fortnight.

A war of words erupted last night after Alex Salmond announced that his flagship plan for a referendum on independence will be published in the next fortnight. The First Minister's political opponents swiftly condemned the move as a waste of

civil servants' time and taxpayers' money given that most Scots do not want to break from Britain.

However, the SNP responded to the criticism by insisting Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives were all in "disarray" and had been "swept away" by the pace with which the Scottish Executive had delivered on its pledges in its first 100 days in office.

While in London for talks with the city's mayor Ken Livingstone, the First Minister made clear the white paper setting out proposals for a referendum would be issued in line with a manifesto promise to do so before the end of the SNP's first 100 days in power later next month.

"We have moved rapidly to deliver a whole series of policy initiatives on health, transport and other areas.

"Our first 100 days' commitment also includes the publishing of a white paper on independence, which will serve as the basis for a national conversation with the people of Scotland about their constitutional future," said Mr Salmond's spokesman.

However, the First Minister conceded his minority administration "had some persuading to do" to get a referendum bill through Holyrood.

Last night, Labour MSP George Foulkes claimed the plan showed the SNP's "arrogance and failure to listen to the overwhelming views of the Scottish public", who wanted the executive to concentrate on improving education, health and the wellbeing of Scotland.

"Despite two thirds of Scots voting against independence just months ago, the SNP are hell-bent on breaking up Britain. Labour will resist their plans at every turn," he declared.

Nicol Stephen, the Liberal Democrat leader, branded the white paper "a waste of civil service time and the public's money," while David McLetchie, the Conservative chief whip, insisted: "We need a change of policy, not a change of passport. Instead of playing his patriot games, the First Minister should live up to his title and focus on the issues for which his government is responsible."

However, SNP HQ claimed each of its opponents had undermined their opposition to a referendum. It pointed to how: on Wednesday in the Commons, Simon Hughes, the LibDem's justice spokesman, supported a constitutional referendum for Scotland and the UK; how Labour signed up to campaign for more powers for Wales in a referendum in partnership with Plaid Cymru and how Richard Cook, vice-chairman of the Scottish Tory party, supported an independence referendum.

In London, Mr Salmond discussed a range of issues with Mr Livingstone, from the recent terror attacks to economic development. One key subject was the issuing of bonds to fund public investment; a subject that in the near future has the potential to provoke a major political confrontation between the First Minister and the Prime Minister.

Mr Salmond picked the mayor's brain on how he had unsuccessfully tried to fund London's Tube through the issuing of bonds - a move blocked by the then Chancellor, Mr Brown, who preferred the mechanism of the private finance initiative where the risk lies more with the contractor than the government.

"I'm particularly keen on bond issues," said the First Minister. "That is the substantial part of the future for new capital investment and we have major investments to come in Scotland.

"The Forth crossing is one example.

"If we are going to equip our economy for the 21st century, it's time to get serious about how we can mobilise capital to do that."

However, because the executive has no powers to borrow money, Mr Salmond will have to go cap in hand to Mr Brown for his permission to do so.

The issue is likely to come to a head soon as a decision on funding a new Forth crossing will have to be made by the executive before the end of the year if it is to be built by the planned date of 2016. The new bridge could cost up to £3.5bn.

Last night, asked about the issuing of bonds, a Treasury spokesman told The Herald:

"The Scottish Executive has no powers to borrow and there are not current plans to change this position."