By Steve Bargeton, political editor

SNP LEADER Alex Salmond has stepped up his campaign to repeal the 300-year-old law excluding Catholics from the line of succession to the throne.

In a letter to Tony Blair, Mr Salmond urges him to consult Commonwealth heads of government on repealing the Act of Settlement.

He wrote, “Until we remove all traces of the discrimination contained in this Act, those engaged in the important task of tackling sectarianism in Scotland will effectively be working with one hand tied behind their back.”

Holyrood has already unanimously backed a resolution calling for repeal of the act.

It is argued it cannot easily be repealed because it would require changes to the law in a series of Commonwealth countries.