Letter: Salmond's role

Alexander McKay (Letters, 27 September) writes that the First Minister's refusal to appear before the Public Audit Committee is "cowardice".

This comment is disgraceful - it is normal political practice for the minister who holds the brief to answer the questions. Mr McKay would like to abandon devolution but shows little interest in the activities at Westminster. Did Mr McKay call Gordon Brown to account for his disastrous mishandling of the economy, selling of gold reserves at rock bottom prices, increasing the gap between rich and poor and doubling taxation for the lowest paid? Did Tony Blair lying Britain into a probably illegal war, MPs "lifting" millions from our pockets and three Labour MPs facing trial leave a bad taste in Mr McKay's mouth?

Closer to home has he any view on Glasgow Labour council? No! Mr McKay has made no comment, and has indeed defended Labour transgressors. Such petulance does nothing but diminish the relevance of much of Mr McKay's outpourings.

Bill McLean

Rosemill Court

Dunfermline, Fife