Brown urged to 'call SNP's bluff'

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Lord Forsyth, a former Secretary of State for Scotland, even suggested Scots should get the chance to vote on whether or not to remain part of the UK at the next general election.

He issued the challenge as the SNP Holyrood Government confirmed it will include a Bill on an independence referendum in its legislative programme for the coming year.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond is due to make a statement to MSPs later this week, outlining his administration's plans for the next parliamentary session.

The Nationalists have previously set out their intention to bring forward legislation for a referendum in early 2010, ahead of a possible vote later in the year.

A spokesman for the First Minister confirmed a referendum Bill would be included in the SNP's third legislative programme.

He said this would "place the issue of Scotland's future - and the powers we need to succeed as a nation - at the heart of political and public debate".

The spokesman added: "The SNP Government have the confidence to put the question fair and square in a referendum, and we are equally confident that people will choose independence and equality for Scotland.

"The challenge to the London parties is whether or not they trust the people."

Meanwhile Lord Forsyth, writing in the Mail On Sunday, said Mr Brown should "promise the Scottish people a referendum on independence at the earliest opportunity".