Alex Salmond asked British Embassy for French PM meeting We disclosed yesterday how, despite Mr Salmond's claims, he relied entirely on the British Embassy in Beijing to secure visas and meetings with a series of Chinese ministers during a visit in December. According to the dossier, British officials contacted the French Government at the start of January 2010 asking that Mr Fillon make time for a meeting with Mr Salmond during his visit the following month. A full itinerary was enclosed, along with suggested time slots when talks could be held. The First Minister has arranged for himself meetings with French energy firms working in marine renewables. After the French Prime Minister failed to respond, Mr Salmond's officials contacted the embassy again asked that the request be chased up. "As you can imagine, they are very anxious that this interview takes place," embassy officials wrote to their counterparts in the French Government. The French replied that the request had been forward to the Prime Minister, but they had not heard back. Mr Fillon had still not replied on January 22, barely a fortnight before the visit, prompting another email from the embassy. His office replied saying there was no free time slot to meet Mr Salmond. The embassy then told the First Minister it "looks highly unlikely" that a meeting could be arranged. In the end, he met the country's minister for European affairs and hosted a reception at the UK Ambassador's residence before attending a concert by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Three days after Mr Salmond wanted to stage the talks he published a draft referendum Bill and a consultation on Scottish independence, but did not introduce the legislation at Holyrood. Patricia Ferguson, Scottish Labour's external affairs spokesman, said last night: "I know from my own time as a Scottish minister that our voice is stronger on the international stage by working as part of the UK." A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "The First Minister is more than happy to acknowledge the hard work that is done by everyone involved in promoting Scotland internationally."