The battle for Inverness intensified yesterday as the SNP and Danny Alexander’s Liberal Democrats traded blows ahead of the election.
The Lib Dems hit back after the Nationalist MP Pete Wishart lodged a motion at Westminster last week condemning Mr Alexander for his “irresponsibile” campaign against A9 average-speed cameras.
Badenoch and Strathspey councillor Gregor Rimell pointed out that no other MP had signed the motion in the nine days since it was tabled.
He called on Mr Wishart to pay back the administrative costs of the motion, saying: “It is laughable that Pete Wishart can’t even count on the support of SNP MPs for his petty publicity stunt.
“This folly cost the taxpayer £300 and after a week he hasn’t been able to muster any support.”
Mr Wishart, who represents Perth and North Perthshire, claimed that the councillor “obviously doesn’t understand how Westminster works” as the motion was submitted as parliament closed for recess.
“I fully expect it to receive support when parliament returns next week,” he added.
Meanwhile, the SNP launched an attack on Mr Alexander over his claim that the Scottish Government was “sitting on” £444million that could be used to protect services in the Highlands.
The Nationalists said the bulk of the money was ineligible for spending because of rules set out by the Treasury – which is run by Mr Alexander.
SNP Highland Council leader Drew Hendry, who will stand against Mr Alexander at the election in May, said: “It is simply not credible that the chief secretary to the Treasury does not know how his own department works.
“What we are witnessing is the dramatic decline of Danny Alexander. This kind of ploy would make a snake oil salesman blush. He should be representing the people not misrepresenting the facts.”
A spokesman for Mr Alexander said: “The £444million underspend is set out in black and white in the Scottish Government’s own out-turn report for 2013/14.
“This is a record underspend and the SNP government are still sitting on £145million that could be spent on vital local services, like the NHS.”
Polls have shown the SNP is on course to win Mr Alexander’s Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey seat in May’s election.