Liddell denies elderly care rift

Helen Liddell says she will work well with Henry McLeish

New Secretary of State for Scotland Helen Liddell has side-stepped questions about a fall-out with the Scottish Executive.

Facing her first Scottish Questions at Westminster, Mrs Liddell ignored allegations that she was "kept in the dark" over personal care for the elderly.

The Scottish Executive faced parliamentary defeat last week after oppositon parties accused it of going back on a pledge to implement a fundamental care package.

Ministers averted the defeat by promising to look again at care measures but oppositon parties sought to highlight the difference between the executive and the cabinet at Westminster, where there has been no such commitment.

Alex Salmond: Seeking answers

Former Scottish National Party Leader Alex Salmond used Scottish Questions in the House of Commons on Tuesday to ask if Mrs Liddell had been kept fully informed.

Referring to a statement made on BBC's Today programme on Monday, Mr Salmond said Mrs Liddell alleged that the Scottish Executive was still considering the matter.

Mrs Liddell, however, attacked Mr Salmond's decision to return to Westminster politics, saying the success of the devolution settlement was in sharp contrast to the politics of the nationalists.

She said: "Edinburgh isn't big enough for the honourable gentleman.

"On matters of personal care, on matters of the Sutherland Report, it is a sign of strength of the devolution settlement that this government has a parliament with the will of the people.

"In relation to what I said yesterday on the Today programme, he will be hearing from the executive on their arrangements soon."