Commenting ahead of the Scottish Government’s economic cabinet meeting, Tavish Scott, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, has attacked the SNP’s hypocrisy over HBOS.

Mr Scott has challenged the First Minister to back calls for HBOS to remain an independent bank several times in the past week. Alex Salmond has refused to throw his weight behind the Liberal Democrats’ campaign. Senior SNP backbencher, Alex Neil, had no such qualms, lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the UK Government to use some of the taxpayer bail-out to keep HBOS as an independent bank.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

“This is classic SNP behaviour. The First Minister has absolved himself of responsibility for HBOS, refusing to get involved in saving one of Scotland’s most important financial institutions. Alex Neil, the First Minister’s most loyal backbencher, has no such qualms.

“Alex Neil’s motion, lodged in the Scottish Parliament, backs the Liberal Democrat campaign for the UK Government to support HBOS as an independent bank.

“It’s time for the two Alexes to speak with one voice. Scotland needs unity within the SNP not division. We all need to work together to secure HBOS’s future and support the Scottish economy.

“Today’s cabinet must result in the Scottish Government’s support for HBOS as an independent bank, otherwise why are they bothering to meet?”