Scottish independence: Clash over costs of 'Yes' vote

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Danny Alexander has called on Scottish ministers to produce "realistic analysis" of the cost of independence.

It comes as the Treasury prepares to publish detailed findings on the financial impact of a "Yes" vote.

In a speech in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will attack "over-optimistic assumptions" about oil revenues.

A spokesman for the first minister said Scotland had the "financial resources to be a successful independent nation".

Alexander's attack on the Scottish government's white paper on independence comes a few weeks before the Treasury's most detailed fiscal analysis is due to be published.

The UK government said economists had spent months analyzing data and forecasts, and consulting with independent bodies.

DANNY ALEXANDER

Treasury officials have also analysed the Scottish government's white paper and said they had "attempted to produce many of the calculations that were missing".

Alexander said: "The Scottish government's white paper contained lots of promises but nothing credible to back it up.