Scotland’s hands ‘tied’ for recovery

Scotland is promoting economic recovery with “one hand tied behind its back”, the First Minister has told an audience in the United States.

A Scottish Government delegation is in Chicago to promote sport, trade and culture at events around the Ryder Cup ahead of the 2014 tournament at Gleneagles,  Perthshire.

Alex Salmond was speaking at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs last night and took the opportunity to present his case for independence in front of US business leaders.

He said: “In order to fully realise our potential, we need the powers of an independent nation, rather than the limited powers that are currently available to us.

“Without independence, we are promoting recovery with one hand tied behind our backs. We currently have fewer economic powers than Illinois.”