The war of words between the two heavyweights of the nationalist movement intensified yesterday as Alex Salmond launched a blistering attack on Nicola Sturgeon's independence strategy.
The Alba Party leader claimed the First Minister's suggestion that a referendum will happen in 2023 or later depending on the battle against Covid has caused 'consternation' in the pro-independence movement.
He also accused her of a 'lack of urgency' in the bid to tear Scotland out of the UK.
Miss Sturgeon used a newspaper interview to launch new attacks on Mr Salmond and claim that Boris Johnson will grant a referendum if there is a pro-independence majority.
Mrs Thatcher secured the pivotal backing of Bob Monkhouse and Jimmy Tarbuck.
Tony Blair won over old Lefty Noel Gallagher and ex-Thatcherite Geri Halliwell. Gordon Brown had to settle for Ross Kemp, aka Grant Mitchell off EastEnders, which explains Labour’s 2010 result.
Alex Salmond has trumped them all with the ultimate celebrity endorsement: Robert the Bruce. Having been dead for almost 700 years is no barrier to supporting Alba.
If anything, it probably helps.
Salmond’s last drain-circling attempt to cling to relevance released a video ahead of its manifesto launch yesterday in which the former King of Scots rather surprisingly backed Salmond’s list vote campaign.