Sillars 'used day of reckoning for publicity'

The former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars says he used terms such as "a day of reckoning" and "nationalisation" to describe what might happen to major companies after a Scottish referendum "Yes" vote to gain publicity.

Mr Sillars told the Today programme: "I used terms like those to get on programmes like yours... and here I am on your prestigious programme."

He went on: "For us to nationalise BP would be a major problem.

"We don't have the ability to nationalise the North Sea, there's about 570 rigs."

He warned if major institutions such as Standard Life wanted to relocate south, trade union rights might be strengthened, for instance to extend the period of redundancy notice firms would have to give workers.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday 13 September.