SNP in coalition plea to Liberal Democrats

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The call came after the Liberal Democrats again ruled out a referendum on independence and said minority SNP administration was now likely.

Deputy SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon insisted there was still room for the two parties to resolve their differences.

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Plea: Alex Salmond 'made it clear there was scope for negotiation and scope for compromise' over a Lib Dem coalition

"There have been no formal discussions between the SNP and the Liberal Democrats," she told BBC radio's Good Morning Scotland.

"There have been some informal conversations.

"In the course of these, (SNP leader) Alex Salmond made it clear there was scope for negotiation and scope for compromise.

"But the important thing now is that we get round the table.

"It may be that we can't resolve our differences - but I think we both have a duty in the interest of the country to try."

And Mr Salmond told Radio 4's Today programme: "The way to break a log jam is to get round the table and to have discussions, that's what I would like to see."

The SNP move came after Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen last night ruled out any deal with the SNP so long as they insist on a referendum on independence.

The SNP emerged from last week's Holyrood elections as the biggest single party but only just, with 47 seats to Labour's 46, the Tories' 17, the Liberal Democrats' 16, the Tories two and one independent.

Even in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, neither the SNP nor Labour could command a majority, and the Liberal Democrats appear to have ruled out a coalition with Labour.

But an SNP-Lib Dem-Green coalition would have a single vote majority, and formal talks were today taking place between the SNP and the Greens.