Raymond Robertson: War of words over Scotland's future

Tories Seize on Labour Scottish Difficulties in 'No' Launch

The Liberal Democrats are urging their supporters to back the Government's proposal for a Scottish parliament with tax-raising powers. But the Tories are firmly opposed to the idea, and are capitalising on Labour's problems north of the border to reinforce their message.

The Scottish Conservatiove Party Chairman, Raymond Robertson, unveiled a poster in Paisley - the town at the centre of Labour's problems.

The poster shows the Renfrewshire West MP, Tommy Graham, and the Glasgow Govan MP, Mohammad Sarwar - suspended from the party shortly after the election. It asks: "Could you really face a Scottish parliament?". The caption beneath reads: "No, No!".

After the launch, Mr Robertson said: "The message we are trying to put forward today is do you want to be controlled by a Scottish parliament that's Paisley writ large?"

Peter Mandelson: "Tories can't face real issues"

The Tories' tactic was dismissed by the Minister without Portfolio, Peter Mandelson. He denied that Labour's campaign was losing impact following the suspension of Mr Graham and two other local party officials.

In an interview with the BBC in Scotland, he said: "I think that's a piece of desperation on the part of the 'No, No' campaign."

He accused the Conservatives of being afraid of the real issues. "The Scottish Tories are nowhere to be seen - simply hiding behind the Think Twice campaign,"he said.

"I think they are afraid to campaign publicly, I think they are embarrassed by the position their party has taken.

"I think William Hague, their leader, is running scared of the result of the referendum campaign which is why he is invisible. They can only manage a very threadbare campaign hiding behind the Think Twice slogan of this front organisation they have set up."

On Wednesday, the Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, said candidates for a Scottish parliament would be scrutinised heavily and rejected if necessary.

The planned selection panel was endorsed by Mr Mandelson. He said: "We are going to expose all those candidates to very tough scrutiny indeed.

"It will be undertaken by a properly appointed, independent panel who will look at and examine all the qualifications and credentials of all those who want to put themselves forward as Labour Party candidates for the parliament."

Referring to the series of allegations made against the party in Scotland, Mr Mandelson said it was time to focus on devolution.