Plea to stop council blame game

Mr Salmond said no party had emerged unscathed

First Minister Alex Salmond has called on all sides to stop the "blame game" over Aberdeen City Council's financial problems.

Talks are continuing over the establishment of an all-party board to pursue the council's recovery after a critical Accounts Commission report.

Some councillors have warned they could be unwilling to co-operate unless the administration takes the blame.

However, Mr Salmond told BBC Scotland that no party was untainted.

He said: "I think they really have to stop the blame game."

Council leader Kate Dean earlier said every councillor in Aberdeen was responsible for the current problems.

Public sector watchdog the Accounts Commission found the council had extremely serious financial and management issues.

The Scottish Government has told Aberdeen City Council it must resolve the problems within its own means.

The council, run by a Liberal Democrat-SNP coalition, is currently pursuing a programme of £27m in cutbacks which has led to lengthy public protests.