By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MR SALMOND was relaxed and confident during his first public interrogation by MSPs as First Minister yesterday.

There was humour too as he picked his way through a minefield of queries. His predecessor Jack McConnell opened by asking when the next cabinet would meet, a traditional opening gambit for the leader of the opposition.

Mr Salmond replied, “Can I thank Jack McConnell for not asking me when I last met the Prime Minister”—a reference to the fact that Tony Blair has yet to call Mr Salmond to congratulate him formally.

Tory leader Annabel Goldie too was game for a laugh when she asked the First Minster when he last met Mr Blair.

To laughter from all sides Mr Salmond replied, “He never phones, he never writes...”

Miss Goldie told him, “The First Minister’s Downing Street dancing partner is nothing if not coquettish.”

Alex Salmond has a reputation as a formidable debater and there were fears he would annihilate Mr McConnell during yesterday’s inaugural head-to-head.

No blood was spilled.

The Salmond wit brought smiles not embarrassment as he sought consensus among the opposition parties who massively outnumber his own.

Jack McConnell’s first outing as the leader of the opposition was well up to the mark. He stuck to a strategy of short, pointed questions and avoided getting into close-quarters battle.