McLeish extends olive branch to Ahern

Mr McLeish said he disagreed with the MP's position

Scotland's first minister has attempted to defuse a growing political row over the Irish prime minister's decision not to visit the country amid fears of sectarian trouble.

The visit by Bertie Ahern was called off after a Labour MP wrote to him raising public order concerns about his plans to unveil a memorial in Lanarkshire.

Motherwell and Wishaw MP Frank Roy said it would be a "grave mistake" for the Taoiseach to attend the ceremony just hours after a match between Celtic and Rangers.

We have very strong links with Ireland and we want retain them

First Minister Henry McLeish

Mr Roy said the fixture had the potential to reignite sectarian tensions in his constituency and he was concerned that Mr Ahern's plans to unveil a memorial to Irish famine victims at Carfin would exacerbate the situation.

In the face of an increasing outcry over the issue, Mr McLeish said he disagreed with Mr Roy and extended an invitation to Mr Ahern, which officials in Dublin later said he would be glad to accept.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the first minister said: "Any visit of the Taoiseach would have been warmly welcomed.

"We have very strong links with Ireland and we want to retain them.

"I will be extending a formal invitation to the Taoiseach to join with me to discuss issues not only of importance to the two nations but also in relation to a possible sporting visit and indeed to continue the visit planned for this weekend."

Labour MP Frank Roy sparked the row

The first minister said Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell had joined him in deciding to send a formal invitation to the Taoiseach to visit Scotland at a later date.

However, Scottish National Party Leader John Swinney said the affair had damaged the reputation of Scotland and wanted to know what the Scottish Executive had done to allay any fears of violence.

Mr Swinney, said: "It's absolutely clear that a Labour MP has contacted the Irish Government and told them it was unsafe for the Taoiseach to come to Scotland.

"It's also clear that Strathclyde Police made it absolutely clear that it was perfectly safe for the Taoiseach to come to Scotland.

"What is unclear is whether or not the executive told the Taoiseach he was welcome to come to Scotland?"

"Does the first minister recognise the damage that has been done to the reputation of Scotland and as soon as Westminster MPs mind their own business the reputation of Scotland will be enhanced?"

John Swinney: "Scotland damaged"

The first minister said: "The police raised no objections but let me make it clear that the executive were not involved in what was a private visit nor did it have anything to do with its cancellation.

"It's never the intention the executive to deal with the heads of foreign governments in a way that is anything other than courteous.

"I sincerely hope that because I've now issued a formal invitation that any difficulties that might have arisen will simply not occur."

Tory Leader David McLetchie said that, since public order was a devolved matter, the Scottish Executive should have been consulted.

He said: "I fear, however, that it has been decided over the heads of Henry McLeish and Jim Wallace (the deputy first minister).

"We hear a lot from them about working in partnership with Westminster. This, however, demonstrates that it is not working in practice. They should get their acts together."