Chancellor Congratulates Salmond

Chancellor Gordon Brown has phoned Alex Salmond to congratulate him on becoming first minister of Scotland.

The Labour prime minister-in-waiting made the call four weeks after the SNP emerged as the largest party in the Holyrood election.

The first minister's office described their discussions as "constructive" and "friendly".

Mr Salmond said on Thursday that he had not received a congratulatory call from the current premier, Tony Blair.