ALEX Salmond has launched a fierce attack on Scots Labour leader Johann Lamont after she appeared to describe a list of key SNP policies as "wee things".
The First Minister claimed she had made an "appalling error of judgement" after she dismissed a long list of Nationalist goals including scrapping the bedroom tax and expanding free childcare in an independent Scotland.
Labour aides admitted Ms Lamont's comments were "a slip of the tongue" but the row overshadowed efforts to press Mr Salmond on his plans to share the pound with the rest of the UK if Scots vote Yes in September.
It came as the pair clashed over the constraints the currency plan might place on an independent Scotland's economic policy.
Mr Salmond rejected a warning by Bank of England Government Mark Carney that an independent Scotland would have to sacrifice powers over tax, spending and borrowing to join a currency union with the UK because of the risks the arrangement posed to taxpayers down south.
He listed a number of tax powers he claimed an independent Scotland would be able to use freely.
And he went further, telling MSPs independence would enable Scotland to scrap the bedroom tax, improve childcare, remove nuclear weapons and avoid taking part in illegal wars.
Ms Lamont replied: "It is a ludicrous defence by a man who used to cry freedom but who now gives us a list of wee things that we could do (under devolution)."
Speaking after question time, Mr Salmond said: "To describe these as 'wee things' betrays the total poverty of vision and ambition the Labour Party have for Scotland and is yet another reason why the people of Scotland will vote Yes."
The row came after Mr Salmond twice refused to provide a "Plan B" for an independent Scotland's currency in case the UK refused to agree a formal deal to share the pound.
On Thursday the Treasury warned a currency union was "highly unlikely" in the wake of Mr Carney's assessment.
Meanwhile in a sign the issue will continue to dominate the referendum campaign, the Better Together campaign launched a hard-hitting leaflet saying simply "Goodbye," with the letter 'O' depicted by pound coins.
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