Salmond accused of 'political cowardice'

The party is said to be £400,000 in debt

A feud within the Scottish National Party has escalated with the treasurer accusing party leader Alex Salmond of "political cowardice".

Ian Blackford is threatening to start a defamation action against Mr Salmond after a vote of no-confidence was passed in his absence at a weekend meeting.

It has also emerged that the Lothian MSP, Margo MacDonald, is alleged to have committed "serious breaches of party discipline".

She is facing disciplinary action after being accused of missing a vote without permission and criticising a group decision in a Sunday newspaper.

Mr Blackford: Appalled by Alex Salmond

Mr Blackford has spoken out about the vote of no confidence in his stewardship of the party's finances.

The treasurer, who is a successful international investment banker, accused Mr Salmond of "control freakery" and of treating him and the party with "utter contempt".

He said: "I'm absolutely appalled at what Alex Salmond has done.

"It really is an act of political cowardice, when he knew a meeting I was not going to be at, when my apologies were in, that he has decided to move a motion of no confidence with no warning.

'Natural justice'

"He has made allegations I have not been able to counter and he expects to me to resign on the basis of that kangaroo court which I certainly won't be doing.

"Natural justice has to take place and it has to be seen to take place and natural justice can't take place when he proposes a motion and makes allegations which can't be refuted."

He added: "That in my view is wholly wrong, is anti-democratic and shows the way he is prepared to treat me and the party with utter contempt in taking these measures."

Mr Salmond proposed the motion

Mr Blackford has consulted his solicitors, who he said took the view that he had a "clear-cut" case for defamation because the vote impugned his professional reputation.

SNP sources say there has been a breakdown in relations between Mr Blackford and the party executive.

The SNP was reported last month to be £400,000 in debt.

SNP sources said there had been a breakdown in relations between the national treasurer and the party executive, leading to an overwhelming vote of no confidence in his stewardship of the party's finances.

Mr Blackford, who has been a persistent critic of Mr Salmond, is also being linked to a series of damaging stories in the press.

'Support melting away'

Last September, he started an internal debate when he publicly attacked the SNP's "tax-and-spend" image.

The row has been seized upon by the Labour Party which claimed the nationalists are split "from top to bottom".

Frank Roy, Labour MP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: "We're fast approaching Salmond's 10th anniversary as leader, but he has precious little to celebrate.

"The nationalists keep trumpeting about making the breakthrough, but every time they do, their bubble bursts."

"Now they can't even appear united in public. No wonder their support is melting away."