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Scottish referendum: Why are party leaders skipping PMQs?

John Pienaar on why party leaders are skipping PMQs in favour of a trip to Scotland.

5 live's chief political correspondent John Pienaar on why the three main party leaders will miss Prime Minister's Questions in favour of heading to Scotland to take part in the Scottish independence referendum campaign.

The Prime Minister's Facebook page explained why David Cameron, along with Labour leader Ed Mililband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, will be heading north instead.

John Pienaar gave his reaction: "I think a lot of people will see it as panic...there's an unmistakable whiff of alarm" as well as explaining what message each leader will be taking with them: "Voting no now equals voting for devo-more"

The news comes after the three main pro-Union parties agreed on a timetable for giving more powers to Scotland in the event of a no vote.

First Minister and leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond, says this offer of a timetable for such powers to be introduced is weak and insipid and too little too late.

Prime Minister's Questions is not being cancelled. William Hague will stand in for Mr Cameron, while Harriet Harman will deputise for Mr Miliband.

This clip is from 5 live on 9 September 2014.

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