THE legacy of the 2012 London Games is "above and beyond politics", the SNP insisted last night, as senior figures in the 'No' campaign steered clear of suggesting a summer of Union flag-waving and appeals to Britishness had impacted negatively on the bid for independence.
Earlier this month, London Mayor Boris Johnson, amid the euphoria of Team GB's success, said: "The Scots are never going to vote for independence. These Games have done for Salmond. Vote Hoy."
This was a reference to gold medallist Sir Chris's assertion that he was Scottish and British, adding: "You can be both. They're not mutually exclusive."
The SNP subsequently rubbished Mr Johnson's claim and yesterday Pete Wishart, the Nationalists' Westminster spokesman on sport, suggested politicians should be wary of using the Olympics and Paralympics for political ends.
He told The Herald: "Daft attempts by the 'No' campaign to politicise the Games were a real error of judgment and have already backfired. As last month's Panelbase poll showed, 12% were more likely to support independence after the Games, only 8% were less likely and it made no difference for 80%."
The Perth MP added: "The Olympics have been a fantastic showcase for sport and the legacy we must secure as we approach 2014 is above and beyond politics and is focused on inspiring success at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."
Thomas Docherty, the Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said he did not think the 2012 Games would have an impact on the referendum campaign.
He said: "The reason why Salmond is going for 2014 is because he has this idea that the Commonwealth Games are going to produce a pro-independence bounce. But that's no more likely than saying my constituent, who was going to vote for independence, is now not going to because he saw Mo Farah win two golds."
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