Shadow Scottish Secretary sparks row by suggesting deal with SNP could pay a 'price worth paying'

Westminster - credit: PA

The Shadow Scottish Secretary has sparked controversy within the Labour party by claiming a pact with the SNP could be a “price worth paying” to keep the Tories out of government.

Dave Anderson’s comments were rejected by Scottish Labour, which said it would not support any deal with the SNP.

Meanwhile his predecessor Ian Murray said Anderson “couldn’t be more wrong”.

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The idea that Labour and the SNP would do a deal of some sort was a key plank of the Tories’ campaign at the last general election, with posters depicting Ed Miliband in Alex Salmond’s pocket.

But yesterday Dave Anderson, who recently took over the Scottish brief after Murray’s resignation, said the party should at least consider some kind of arrangement with the SNP.

"It is far too early to even contemplate that, but what I am not prepared to do on behalf of the Labour party nationally is to rule that out completely," he said on a visit to Aberdeen.

"If that is the price that we have to pay to prevent another rabid right-wing Tory government then, I tell you what it is, we have got to at least think about it and discuss it.

"Three and a half years before a possible general election it is a conversation we don't need to have.

"Obviously Scottish Labour would be the loudest voice in the room if and when we ever... have to contemplate coalition."

However his comments were rejected by Scottish Labour, whose spokesman said: “Scottish Labour doesn’t support any UK government deal with the SNP. We will always campaign for a Labour government, whether a Holyrood or Westminster.”

Writing on his Facebook page, Murray said the comments gave Scottish Labour supporters a “clear choice” in the upcoming leadership election.

“So, the new Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, the new Shadow Defence Secretary, the Shadow Chancellor (who voted for Full Fiscal Autonomy and told me to "F*** Off" when I tried to discuss it with him), and Jeremy Corbyn believe that we should do a deal with the SNP,” he wrote.

“This couldn't be more wrong. The choice is now clear for Scottish Labour members and supporters. If you believe in the UK and think this is wrong then you must vote for Owen Smith.”

“With Owen Smith: No deal with a party that wants to break up the UK. With Jeremy Corbyn: Alliance with the SNP. Clear choice for members in Scotland,” he added.