Queen branded 'tax dodger'

The Queen has been touring the UK to mark the year

A socialist politician in Scotland has described the Queen as a "tax dodger" for failing to pay inheritance tax on the multi-million pound estate left to her by the Queen Mother.

Tommy Sheridan's comments in the Scottish Parliament sparked uproar and were in stark contrast to the speeches made by the main party leaders.

Mr Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, spoke out during a debate to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

He said the other parties were supporting a "sycophantic, servile, forelock-touching" motion which was two centuries out of date.

Tommy Sheridan: Criticised other parties

Moving an amendment, the Glasgow MSP he had "certain things in common" with the Queen because they were both "tax dodgers".

Mr Sheridan said he had refused to pay his poll tax and that the Queen had launched a "one-woman mass non-payment campaign" by not paying inheritance tax.

He went on to quote from the late Labour leader, Keir Hardie, who called the monarchy "the symbol of oppression" whilst commenting on Queen Victoria's forthcoming jubilee in 1897.

Mr Sheridan said: "Keir Hardie might have worn a cloth cap and sported a big beard but he was a real modernising politician.

'Past sell-by date'

"He was 80 years ahead of Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols and more than 100 years ahead of our four main party leaders in Scotland today, who in the 21st century are still fawning after an institution that was already past its sell-by date in the 19th century."

Mr Sheridan's amendment insisted that Scotland's future was "as an independent republic where people are sovereign and are recognised as citizens, not subjects".

First Minister Jack McConnell praised the Queen's "constancy of purpose, stability and clarity of leadership" in the past 50 years.

He said the purpose of the debate was to "pay tribute to her work over those years and the significant contribution she has made to the society we live in today".

The main motion congratulated the Queen on her Golden Jubilee and expressed gratitude for her "outstanding" public service in the past 50 years.

Aberdeen visit

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said the parliament was "laying on record its respect for 50 years of public service" during which time the world had seen "profound changes".

Tory leader David McLetchie said the Queen was a "model constitutional monarch" who had touched millions of lives over the past half-century.

Liberal Democrat leader Jim Wallace said the Queen had suffered the loss of her mother and sister in the past few months but noted that she had remained "steadfast in her commitment to duty and service".

He added: "We now look forward to her coming to address our Parliament in Aberdeen on May 28 and Scotland looks forward to her opening our new parliament building at Holyrood, whenever that may be."