'Inexcusable delay' on fraud team

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First Minister Alex Salmond has been accused of a "scandalous dereliction of duty" for failing to set up a national anti-fraud unit.

The attack from the Tories came after the chief inspector of constabulary called for a national fraud capability in May this year.

Scots Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said the move was long overdue.

Speaking during question time at Holyrood, Mr Salmond said work to respond to the call was underway.

The row ignited in the wake of a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland, Paddy Tomkins, said a national body should be set up to deal with serious fraud.

'Market turmoil'

Ms Goldie accused the Scottish Government of "inexcusable delay" on the issue and demanded to know when the team would be up-and-running.

"This report called on the SNP government to establish a national fraud capability and to do that as a matter of urgency within three months," she told parliament.

"Seven months later we don't have it and, given the turmoil surrounding the economy, the markets and our financial institutions I think this is an extraordinary, a scandalous dereliction of duty by the Scottish Government."

The first minister said the report argued a post should be established in three months to look at the issue.

He added: "A short life working group to take forward the recommendations has been established, the business case is to be presented to the Scottish Government in February 2009."

Mr Salmond said ministers were working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) to look at the need for a national fraud capability, adding: "That depends on the business case, which is entirely a sensible way to proceed."