Labour threat to consensus in row over Scotland Bill

The Scotsman has learned that shadow Scottish secretary Ann McKechin has written to Lib Dem Scottish secretary Michael Moore warning him that the historic consensus between the three main Unionist parties will come to an end if he does not revise the timetable for the bill.

Labour MPs are incensed that plans to overhaul the Scottish legal system by changing the role of the Lord Advocate, as well as keep the UK Supreme Court as Scotland's highest legal authority, will not be debated by MPs.

Instead, the amendments will solely be scrutinised by the Lords, with the Commons finishing with the bill on 22 March at its final report stage.

The proposed changes are being brought in to deal with the consequences of human rights cases, such as the recent Cadder ruling which meant that thousands of prisoners who did not have proper legal representation could be released.

If an agreement cannot be reached, it will mean that the party which has 41 of Scotland's 59 Westminster seats and hopes to form the next Scottish Government will withdraw its support for a bill which is set to give Holyrood more powers over taxation and borrowing as well as airguns and drink driving.

It would also mean that the consensus which was begun when former Scottish Parliament Labour leader Wendy Alexander set up of Calman Commission with the support of the Tories and Lib Dems will come to an end at the last hurdle.

Privately, Labour MPs have accused Mr Moore and his fellow ministers of setting an arbitrary date to complete the bill. They believe he could take a more flexible approach.

Complaints about timetabling have also been raised by SNP MPs.

Labour's shadow Scottish Scotland Office minister Tom Greatrex said: "For the Commons to not have the opportunity to scrutinise significant new clauses the government is proposing for the Scotland Bill, especially as they do not arise from the Calman Commission, is of great concern.

"Michael Moore needs to understand restricting scrutiny of these clauses is undermining the basis of the consensus that has so far existed on the Scotland Bill."

However, a Scotland Office spokesman pointed out that the timetable was set out in a motion supported by most MPs in a motion by Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray.He said: "The Scottish Parliament voted overwhelmingly in support of the Scotland Bill on Thursday 10 March, on the back of a motion tabled by the Scottish Labour leader.

"It made clear the Scottish Parliament would look at a further motion before royal assent to consider amendments made to the bill during the rest of its Westminster consideration."

He added:? "There will be plenty of scope for even more scrutiny of this Bill, at both Westminster and Holyrood.

"It is difficult to see what the issue is here when it comes to scrutiny and timetabling."