Scottish leader claims voters 'tricked' into staying in UK as politicians fall out over reform

A man draped in a Saltire walks up the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Scottish voters have rejected independence and decided that Scotland will remain part of the United Kingdom. The result announced early Friday was the one favored by Britain's political leaders, who had campaigned hard in recent weeks to convince Scottish voters to stay. It dashed many Scots' hopes of breaking free and building their own nation. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Scotland's independence leader has accused Britain's politicians of reneging on their promises to give more powers to Scots, as the main political parties bickered over how to take political reform forward.

Alex Salmond, who will step down as Scotland's first minister in November, said voters were "tricked" into rejecting Scottish independence in Thursday's vote by a last-minute vow. All three of Britain's main parties signed a pact to pass laws to transfer key decision-making powers from London to Edinburgh.

That rare agreement had fizzled out by Sunday.

Prime Minister David Cameron drew bitter attacks from rival politicians after he said that plans to empower Scotland should be linked to constitutional reform in England. Critics say linking the two issues puts Scotland's future in the back seat.