Iain Smith, Convener of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party demanded an apology from the First Minister for continuing to woo the despotic and vilified regime in Zimbabwe.

Today, SNP backbencher Aileen Campbell circulated a Parliamentary Motion attacking Robert Mugabe’s regime in Zimbabwe. This sentiment was not shared by Alex Salmond, who later in the day at First Minister’s Questions remained defiant about sending letters to Robert Mugabe and refused to rule out further contact.

Mr Smith has lodged an amendment to Ms Campbell’s motion calling on the First Minister to apologise.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

“The SNP’s stance on Zimbabwe is thoroughly confusing. This morning, Aileen Campbell was calling for cross party support for a motion condemning Robert Mugabe’s regime. Yet, this afternoon, the First Minister remained defiant about sending letters to a dictator who has shown such callous disregard for his people.

“The international community is turning its back on Robert Mugabe. The UN has condemned him. Even backbench SNP Members are campaigning against him.

“At First Minister’s Questions, Nicol Stephen gave Alex Salmond the perfect opportunity to apologise to the people of Scotland for bringing disrepute on our nation. But such is the First Minister’s determination to grandstand on the international stage, he dodged the question.

“The First Minister should be focusing on fixing the SNP’s broken manifesto promises, rather than wooing the despotic and vilified regime in Zimbabwe. The First Minister must stop this nonsense and apologise to the people of Scotland.”