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Labour attack Salmond's ability Labour attack Salmond's ability
(about 2 hours later)
Labour leader Jack McConnell has accused Alex Salmond of being unfit to carry out the office of first minister.Labour leader Jack McConnell has accused Alex Salmond of being unfit to carry out the office of first minister.
It comes as the SNP leader said Labour was attacking Scottish self-confidence in its campaign for the May election.It comes as the SNP leader said Labour was attacking Scottish self-confidence in its campaign for the May election.
Mr McConnell said Mr Salmond had proved a lack of commitment to Scotland by not remaining an MSP six years ago.Mr McConnell said Mr Salmond had proved a lack of commitment to Scotland by not remaining an MSP six years ago.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives insisted they were strengthening their position in the polls and the Lib Dems raised concerns over Iraq.Meanwhile, the Conservatives insisted they were strengthening their position in the polls and the Lib Dems raised concerns over Iraq.
Speaking to BBC Radio's Sunday Live, Mr McConnell said: "The SNP are trying to avoid scrutiny rather than welcome it, which we have.Speaking to BBC Radio's Sunday Live, Mr McConnell said: "The SNP are trying to avoid scrutiny rather than welcome it, which we have.
"And increasingly people are realising that Alex Salmond would not be a fit person to be first minister of Scotland."
Education pledgeEducation pledge
"And increasingly people are realising that Alex Salmond would not be a fit person to be first minister of Scotland."
Mr McConnell said he always knew the campaign would be a tough one but he warned voters about the choices the faced in May's election.Mr McConnell said he always knew the campaign would be a tough one but he warned voters about the choices the faced in May's election.
He also stressed that education was his main priority and making sure young Scots were the best educated in the world.He also stressed that education was his main priority and making sure young Scots were the best educated in the world.
It was an extremely foolish thing to do - a new low in Labour's negative campaign Nicola SturgeonSNP deputy leader
The SNP pointed to its continued lead in the polls, claiming Mr Salmond was "far and away" the most popular candidate for first minister.The SNP pointed to its continued lead in the polls, claiming Mr Salmond was "far and away" the most popular candidate for first minister.
SNP campaign director Angus Robertson said: "In every single leadership quality - stands up for Scotland, intelligent, has the best ideas, etc - Alex is far preferred to Mr McConnell. SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon: "For Jack McConnell to indulge in this personal attack shows how rattled Labour must be.
"On the economy, health, education, and law and order, the SNP have the right policies to take Scotland forward." "It was an extremely foolish thing to do - a new low in Labour's negative campaign - and he will come to regret his ill-judged words."
Mr Salmond also hit out at Labour campaign tactics in a Scotland on Sunday interview.Mr Salmond also hit out at Labour campaign tactics in a Scotland on Sunday interview.
He told the paper that Labour were "out of synch" and had been "disreputable" in the sense that they were "attacking Scotland and Scottish self-confidence".He told the paper that Labour were "out of synch" and had been "disreputable" in the sense that they were "attacking Scotland and Scottish self-confidence".