Alex Salmond accused of trying to ‘rewrite history’

Alex Salmond has been accused of trying to “rewrite history” over claims in his campaign leaflets that the SNP introduced key flagship universal benefits.

Salmond's campaign leaflets made claims that the SNP 'led the way' on certain universal benefits. Picture: John Devlin

Free personal care and the Scotland-wide free bus travel pass scheme was brought in by the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition which preceded the current SNP administration at Holyrood. But literature being distributed by Mr Salmond’s campaign team in Gordon claims the SNP “led the way” on this policy.

The former First Minister has now come under fire from opponents in the constituency where he is fighting for a return to the Commons in the election.

Christine Jardine, the Lib Dem candidate, said: “Experience has taught us that Alex Salmond sometimes has problems remembering the fine detail of the actualité, but, even by his standards, these are blatant untruths. It’s typical of the SNP’s attempts to rewrite history, but I’m confident that voters in Gordon will see past these false claims and remember that the Lib Dems have a genuine record of working with like-minded colleagues to deliver real improvements.”