Scottish ministers are pressing the home secretary to offer potential newcomers a home in their country if they fail criteria for entering England.

Interviewed in today's Society Guardian, Jack McConnell reveals that Charles Clarke is "open to the suggestion".

"He's very clear we can look at this option," the first minister says.

"I kind of understand there is a different perspective on this south of the border ... Scotland is different on this ... we are prepared to take a lead, and the political argument, and promote Scotland on that basis ... there have been some initial discussions and there'll be more after the election."