Fears for SNP 'dictatorship'

SCOTLAND could be heading towards an "elected dictatorship", with the Scottish Parliament effectively "powerless" to hold Alex Salmond's SNP government to account, it was warned today.

Presiding officer Tricia Marwick is being urged to ensure the First Minister's position does not eliminate legitimate "criticism and debate".

Labour MSP Hugh Henry, who has held a seat since 1999, said: "My fear is that we could be heading for an elected dictatorship where there is no criticism and there is no scrutiny."

Ms Marwick appeared to concede yesterday that back-benchers had lost out as the First Minister was allowed to talk at length.