DAVID Cameron will take a firm back seat on next week's independence White Paper despite fears that a Yes vote could jeopardise the UK's £3 billion annual EU rebate.
Earlier this week, the Cabinet was told the UK Government's response to the eagerly-awaited document would be led by Alistair Carmichael, the Scottish Secretary, who will be on media duty at the weekend and beyond; next Wednesday, he will take part in a TV head-to-head debate on the SNP Government's prospectus for independence with Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister.
When asked if the Prime Minister would take the Coalition lead in its response, a senior Whitehall source stressed this was not a "government to government, Scotland versus England" matter. He downplayed the significance of the document, saying that, even if Scots voted Yes next year, it was "not a tablet of stone" but would be up for negotiation.
With 300 days to go to Referendum Day, Mr Carmichael urged voters to make an informed choice, saying: "With time fast running out, it's important that people make sure they're up to speed and have all the facts they need. That's why I'm determined to ensure that as much information as possible is readily available."
Both Mr Cameron and Nick Clegg, his deputy, are not expected to make any significant comment on the White Paper's content when published on Tuesday. The Coalition is keen to avoid the impression of a row between London and Edinburgh, insisting the debate is between Scots.
One Coalition insider insisted the White Paper had to produce detailed and costed answers as there was a "real thirst" from organisations and the public for them. "The size and nature of the document is not key, what is will be the content, the answers; it needs to be credible, it can't just be a wish-list."
He noted how Whitehall's analysis papers had been "stress-tested" by independent experts and that the White Paper had to undergo the same process; this would be the "test of authority".
Elsewhere, Labour's Margaret Curran, the Shadow Scottish Secretary, said the White Paper would be a major credibility test for Alex Salmond and the Scottish Government.
"It's not credible for the SNP to say here is the tax cut we will give the big corporations but we won't tell ordinary people about their tax credits, benefits and their income tax levels. You can't play politics with people's lives in this way."
Today in a speech at Aberdeen University, Lord Wallace, the Advocate General will argue the test of the White Paper will be the "frankness" by which the SNP Government admits the uncertainties of independence.
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