Commenting on reports that senior police officers believe that a single police force in Scotland is inevitable and that this change may happen as early as next year, given financial pressures, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles MSP said:

"Liberal Democrats oppose a one-size fits all approach to policing in Scotland.

"We need a police service that is responsive to local needs, not subject to central diktat and centrally imposed targets.

"We have already learnt from the horrendous experience of big banks and huge government departments that big is not necessarily best.

"This proposal will be fiercely opposed."