Labour’s new Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland has called on the SNP to engage in the independence debate and not put the issue “in the cupboard and kid on it’s not there”.

Speaking to Holyrood, Margaret Curran said the referendum was no longer Alex Salmond’s decision but Scotland’s.

She said: “The Scottish people categorically and overwhelmingly voted to have a referendum so my view is if we are going to have it then don’t put it in the cupboard and kid on it’s not there. I think in all sincerity people voted for a referendum when they voted for the SNP and the SNP’s central cause, absolutely central cause, is that Scotland needs to be independent to do the things they want to do with it, so get on with it.

“The SNP have to engage in the debate. If you believe in it why aren’t you doing it? If you have just delivered this victory on this scale then what does that say about you if you think you can’t win the argument that is at your very core?” Talking about the First Minister, Curran added: “I think what he is very clever at is the way he deals with political opponents in one way and the way he speaks to Scotland in another and I have to respect and admire that. Alex Salmond is a very serious political figure and good luck to him, he won the election and I am not going to get rancorous about that I just want to talk about the issues.

“I think if Alex Salmond went under a bus tomorrow – not that I would ask who drove that bus – but seriously, if he wasn’t there I don’t think there is any other member of that team who could fulfil the role that he is playing and have that relationship with the Scottish people that he clearly does. I think Nicola is very good and I wouldn’t want to talk her down or disrespect her but I think he is a very particular individual.” Curran also revealed she was torn between standing for Labour Party leader following the resignation of Wendy Alexander and fighting the Glasgow East by-election in 2008.