Blair and SNP in row over probe

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Tony Blair has accused the Scottish National Party of campaigning for May's elections on the basis of the London police inquiry into cash for honours.

He was responding to SNP MP Pete Wishart asking in the Commons about Lord Levy. Mr Blair said he could not respond "for obvious reasons".

But he said that the SNP's campaign focus on the probe "says everything... about their fitness to govern".

The SNP later said the PM had "made himself look ignorant about Scotland".

A complaint from Scottish National Party MP Angus MacNeil a year ago prompted police to begin investigating allegations that money was being loaned to Labour in exchange for peerages.

It is extraordinary that the Scottish National Party are aiming to be the government of Scotland after the election on May 3 Tony Blair

Mr Wishart asked Mr Blair, during Prime Minister's Questions, about the role of Lord Levy, Labour's chief fundraiser, in alledgedly offering advice on honours lists.

He asked in what capacity the advice was offered and if it was as Middle East envoy to Mr Blair, his friend and tennis partner or "coincidentally" because the peer was "his chief fundraiser".

Mr Blair sad: "For very obvious reasons I can say nothing about this at all."

But he added: "It is extraordinary that the Scottish National Party are aiming to be the government of Scotland after the election on May 3.

"The Scottish National Party have nothing to say on the economy because they know that independence would wreck the Scottish economy, nothing to offer on health and education and their law and order policy's a disaster."

Mr Blair added: "He is campaigning, and his colleagues, between now and the election on a police inquiry conducted by the London Metropolitan Police.

"I think that says everything about the Scottish National Party and their fitness to govern."

'Ignorance'

In a statement after the Commons exchange, Mr Wishart said: "The prime minister dodged the question and instead reverted to scaremongering about the SNP. In turn he just made himself look ignorant about Scotland.

"If Mr Blair had checked today's Scottish Parliament business agenda he would have seen that the SNP have brought forward a debate on the economy and small business to promote positive policies for business growth and a healthier country."

The cash-for-honours inquiry continues. No-one has been charged. All involved deny wrong-doing.