Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Robert Brown has described Wendy Alexander’s suggestion that Labour might propose a referendum on independence as a “panic response”.

During an interview on the BBC’s Politics Show Ms Alexander revealed that the Labour Party had had what she described as, “tactical discussions” on whether to propose a referendum on Scottish independence ahead of the SNP’s proposed date of 2010.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“Wendy Alexander’s suggestion is manifestly based on tactics not principle and is a panic response from a Labour Party in freefall after last week’s English and Welsh elections.

“Politicians should not support referendums on policies which they do not back. That is why the Liberal Democrats could not form an administration last year with the SNP.

“It is bad enough that we have to put up with Alex Salmond’s constant humbug about a referendum on independence without the Labour Party thinking that they can use one to call the SNP’s bluff. The political point scoring from both parties is unacceptable.

“Scottish voters will not look kindly on politicians who put themselves and their party above the best interests of the country.”