Badenoch MSP wants answers from Darling

The SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to Alistair Darling asking him to make clear his position on Westminster MPs pay.

It follows media reports that Mr Darling refused to answer questions when quizzed on the proposed pay rise.

Mr Dave Thompson (SNP) said he was raising the issue again in light of revelations that Mr Darling has been paid more than £170,000 for after dinner speeches including more than £30,000 for addressing two meetings in a single day.

The local MSP has contacted the leader of the No campaign to ask him if he thinks that he is not already remunerated appropriately by the public purse.

Mr Thompson said: "I have written to Alistair Darling as the people of Scotland deserve to know exactly what the leader of the No campaign thinks Westminster pay should be set at.

"All six SNP MPs made their position crystal clear – they said No to a rise. But dozens of Scottish MPs dodged the question - including the man who wants Westminster to control Scotland.

"Mr Darling is in charge of a campaign that is desperately trying to tell Scotland that we shouldn’t be taking decisions for ourselves - therefore he must not be allowed to dodge the question.

"The decisions he takes to rake in £170,000 form public speaking and then, by default silence, hoping for a pay rise in his part time job as an MP is unacceptable.

"I look forward to receiving a response from Mr Darling, explaining his position."