SNP leader Alex Salmond has said his party would pass legislation to prevent a future government committing British troops to illegal wars.

Outlining his party's legislative priorities for Westminster, the nationalist chief put preventing another Iraq-style conflict as his top priority.

Salmond said that while holding a referendum on Scottish independence was his party's "key priority", it was an issue for the Scottish parliament rather than MPs in Westminster.

Detailing the SNP's alternative Queen's Speech on Sunday, ahead of the real thing on Tuesday, he said priority should be given to protecting Scottish interests.

He called for a War Powers Bill to stop governments "from taking us into another unnecessary and illegal war".

And a Ministerial Accountability Bill would allow parliament to hold ministers to account through a system of impeachment.

Financial autonomy

Other issues highlighted by the party include the need to reform the current pensions system and withdraw from the European Union's common fisheries policy.

There would also be legislation to give the Scottish parliament "full financial autonomy".

"There is a need for real action to tackle many of Scotland's most pressing priorities such as saving the fishing industry, giving Scotland a voice at Europe's top tables and tackling the problems created by an illegal, costly and unnecessary war in Iraq," said Salmond.

"Those are Scotland's priorities, but will undoubtedly be absent from the Queen's Speech.

"That is why Scotland needs to take care of her interests as an independent nation.

"Only then can we take the actions required to ensure that Scotland's best interests are served."