ALEX Salmond has hailed independence as offering people the best expression of Scottish identity as he responded for the first time to criticism from Bill Clinton.
The First Minister said Scots could enjoy a tapestry of different identities at a packed Herald-Fraser of Allander Institute lecture at Strathclyde University's Barony Hall in Glasgow.
Mr Salmond, in conversation with the broadcaster Jon Snow, made his comments after the former US president had questioned the drive for independence and expressed criticism of identity politics.
The SNP leader said: "People are entitled to have as many layers of identity as they wish. I'm arguing that a Scottish identity is a perfectly valid identity to have, there's nothing small-minded or to be ashamed about. It doesn't necessarily need to have an independent country, but I think it is best expressed through an independent country because people's identity and feelings are often expressed through the field of politics."
Mr Clinton had said the biggest challenge facing the world was to safeguard special identity while recognising that "what we have in common with others matters more". He added that the 2014 poll was a classic case.
However, Mr Salmond rejected claims Mr Clinton's comments were odds with his goal. He said: "One of the most appealing features of Scotland at its best is that Scottish identity is a non-exclusive identity.
"I've got loads in common with Bill Clinton, but there's nothing small-minded or negative about having a Scottish identity, a European identity, an international identity.
"That's a perfectly valid, open minded way of looking at the world."
He welcomed SNP support from Asian Scots and added: "That strikes me as an indication we are not going to ask people to choose between identities.
"People have a complex, fascinating tapestry of identities, a tartan of identities."
In a wide-ranging discussion, the First Minister also defended SNP claims that an independent Scotland would automatically remain in the EU.
He said the Edinburgh Agreement, signed with the UK Government, confirmed that Scotland would not be seceding from the UK if Scots voted Yes. However, Mr Salmond added that the UK would be dissolved, leaving both parts with the same, ongoing relationship with the EU.
He dismissed as "nonsensical" claims by the Institute for Financial Studies that it would face tougher spending decisions than the rest of the UK as North Sea oil reserves ran down.
Mr Snow sang The Wings of a Dove after noting both he and the First Minister had been boy sopranos, but there was no duet.
The event was part of the Fraser of Allander lecture series, a three-way partnership between Strathclyde University, The Herald and the International Network of Street Papers (INSP).
Jon Snow is an ambassador for the INSP, which represents 120 street papers worldwide, including The Big Issue.
The second conversation in the series will be between Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign, and Alan Taylor, writer for The Herald and Sunday Herald, on December 6.
Tickets are available at www.street-papers.org /public-events.
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