McConnell dismisses obstruction claims

Jack McConnell dismissed "smear and innuendo"

First Minister Jack McConnell has rejected Nationalist claims that his integrity is "open to question" in the row over his constituency party funds.

During First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament he said he would not be deflected from his priorities by political enemies - "internal or external".

Mr McConnell came under attack from the leader of the Scottish National Party, John Swinney.

It follows fresh newspaper allegations that the first minister had tried to obstruct auditors investigating his local constituency party accounts.

The SNP leader attacked Jack McConnell's integrity

Mr Swinney told the parliament that when Mr McConnell took office a year ago, he said he wanted to be judged by the integrity of his actions.

The SNP leader said: "Isn't it clear that the First Minister has not only failed to convince the people of Scotland about that integrity, but he has failed to convince his local Labour party?"

Mr McConnell replied he was "very happy" to reflect on the last 12 months, which had seen a more open and transparent system in the way in which government operated.

He told the parliament: "I think it is vitally important that the position of first minister is upheld with the utmost integrity and openness."

"Black hole"

The first minister's comments came after local party auditors criticised his behaviour during their efforts to probe the accounts of the Motherwell and Wishaw Constituency Labour Party.

The auditors were brought in amid claims there was an £11,000 "black hole" in the constituency party accounts.

Hugh Mulholland: "Probity"

Hugh Mulholland, a former local Labour party rival of Mr McConnell, and Sarah Taylor, have submitted detailed complaints to local party bosses.

They claim Mr McConnell promised receipts and explanations for expenditure, then failed to deliver.

They also said he was unwilling to divulge information and talk of "a culture of secrecy".

Straight answers

Mr Mulholland told BBC Scotland: "There was never any implication that Jack McConnell had been guilty of anything.

"But what I can say now is that in conducting the exercise there has been an unwillingness by a number of people to come forward with straight answers.

"All we were after was probity in public life."

At a briefing earlier to mark his first anniversary in office, Mr McConnell vowed he would not be side-tracked by the row.

It is quite clear that somebody in the Labour Party is not telling the truth

SNP leader John Swinney

He said: "You don't make progress in politics or in government without making some enemies along the way."

"All political parties have had similar situations.

"I think the important thing for serious people in government is not to be deflected and I have no intention of being deflected by this sort of smear and innuendo."

The Scottish Labour Party conducted its own probe into the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency and concluded that neither Mr McConnell, nor Westminster MP Frank Roy, had done anything wrong.

However, some documents were passed to Strathclyde Police, which has launched its own investigation.

Full disclosure

The first minister said it would be "absolutely wrong" for him to comment publicly on the specific allegations while the police probe is under way.

Scots Tory leader David McLetchie said: "Jack McConnell is trying to portray himself as the victim here, the truth is that he is the culprit.

"He has been involved in a cover-up. He has been involved in obstructing an investigation by his local party."