91Èȱ¬

Former First Minister Alex Salmond has addressed a pro-independence rally in Glasgow held by the grassroots campaign Hope Over Fear, almost ten years on from the independence referendum.

Salmond, who now leads the Alba party, said Scotland had to take the step towards independence and criticised the "zombie parliament" at Holyrood.

On 18 September 2014 more than two million people (55%) voted No in response to the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?".

The following day, Salmond announced he would stand down as first minster and SNP leader.

Speaking at an event in George Square on Saturday, the former MP and MSP criticised the soaring energy bills families faced, despite Scotland's oil and gas resources.

He talked about the need for independence in light of the hundreds of thousands of pensioners facing fuel poverty.

Salmond said he intended to lead a group, with others, with the aim of securing a majority of pro independence MSPs at the next Holyrood election.

He added: "We've got to end the long series of humiliations, capitulations and surrenders in this country.

"We have a zombie parliament in Holyrood just now.

"They have had 10 years of mandates for a referendum and they have done nothing."

Other speakers to address the crowd - made up of hundreds of independence supporters - included former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan, and ex-SNP MPs Angus MacNeil and Kenny MacAskill.

MacNeil was expelled from the SNP and went on to stand for Westminster as an independent candidate.

MacAskill quit the SNP and joined Salmond's Alba party.

He addressed the rally about the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery.

The crowd also listened to musical performances.