ALEX Salmond challenged his opponents in the Scottish Parliament to ensure more powers came to Holyrood.

The First Minister, speaking in the parliament for the first time since the referendum result, said the people would not tolerate any delay and said Labour, the Tories and LibDems had responsibilty for delivery.

Party leaders made speeches praising the electorate and both camp-aigns while condemning the few who marred the poll with intimidation, abuse and violence.

Following a time-for- reflection speech by Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick, calling for MSPs to face the challenges of the future together, it was business as usual with point scoring and jibes.

Ms Salmond had said Scotland was a better nation and people had been energised by the debate.

He then turned his attention to the new powers debate and the role of his opponents.

He said: "Scotland now has a responsibility to hold Westminster's feet to the fire to ensure the pledges are met.

"That's not just a job for the Scottish Government, it is one for all parties in the Parliament. Indeed we might well argue there is a special obligation on the unionist parties, they prom-ised further devolution, it is essential they deliver."

He added: "We need to ensure that the powers delivered to this Parliament match not just the rhetoric but also the ambitions of the people of Scotland."

He stressed the need to maintain the Barnett form-ula, saying it is "vital that new economic powers do not in any way disadvan-tage Scotland".

Mr Salmond said: "The Barnett Formula promise is essential, until or unless Scotland has control of all of our own resources."

He questioned the impartiality of some, "metropolitan journalists" and said he expected action on allegations of briefing from the Treasury. He also wanted action over the disorder in George Square last Friday and he wond-ered "what extent Police Scotland will act against organised thuggery".

The divisions post-referendum were clear in the chamber with only one Labour MSP finding she was able to offer short half- hearted applause for the First Minister.

Labour Leader Johann Lamont declared the "reality" of the referendum was the "people of Scotland have decided they wish to remain in the UK."

She said: "We can't spend the next two years, having moved from: 'If you vote Yes this will happen', to: 'If you had voted Yes that would have happened'.

"We cannot leave the politics of the place in that shape. We need to move on."

Her speech was met with some applause from her own benches and from the Conservatives opposite.

SNP members shook their heads and many began talking to colleagues as she spoke. By the time Ruth Davidson spoke for the Conservatives, some Labour and SNP MSPs decided it was time to leave or fetch water.

Her speech mentioned the need for the SNP to accept the result and accused the party of sniping from the sidelines.

Her speech failed to get any reciprocal applause from Labour benches and interruptions for the SNP were met with the Presiding offer calling for "wheesht!".

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk