Lord Steel attacks Holyrood's critics as 'whingers and girners'

The former presiding officer of the parliament claimed critics within Scotland had stoked controversy surrounding the soaring cost of the new parliament building.

Speaking as he accepted an honorary degree, the former Liberal leader conceded the 431 million project was a "major slur" on devolution.

"I recognise fully that our early years and achievements have been blighted by the continuing saga of the cost of the new building," he said.

"There is nothing unique in such a controversy - think of the Palace of Westminster, the Sydney Opera House, or, nearer to home, the Forth Rail Bridge. The rows over their designs and costs have long been forgotten, but they remain international symbols of architectural and engineering excellence."

In defence of the cost, Lord Steel - who was yesterday presented with a Doctor of Laws by Glasgow Caledonian University - quoted the words of "distinguished commentators from outside Scotland" who had recently visited the almost-complete building.

One hailed it "Britain’s most important new building, the last construction of one of Europe’s most original architects and a wonderful symbol for the nation", while another spoke of "sublime craftsmanship, dazzlingly figurative", said Lord Steel.

A third was quoted as having said: "To say the building is worth the cost is not a popular view ... but in the sense of the wealth of imagination that has been lavished on every inch of the building, it feels like a place that matters."

And a fourth believed its "splintered richness" evoked "the spirit of a confident, relaxed, inventive and generous democracy".

Lord Steel added: "It is often said that we Scots don’t need enemies when we have ourselves. These outsiders have provided a wholly different perspective from our home-grown whingers and girners."

Last night, a long-term critic of the building Margo Macdonald, an independent MSP, said: "David Steel doesn’t know when to quit while he is ahead.

"Evidence to Lord Fraser spelt out clearly that as well as incompetent and dubious management practice by professionals, the politicians charged with overseeing it on behalf of the people did not cover themselves with glory either.

"People like myself have tried very hard to ask proper questions, and any criticism made was entirely valid.

"I did not enjoy the process of monitoring the stupidity and arrogance that characterised this project, but I felt duty-bound to do so."

In his address to the university graduands, Lord Steel also claimed the political class in Scotland had "one outstanding failure".

"In times of unparalleled prosperity for the country as a whole, we have been unable to prevent the growth of a substantial underclass in our midst whose life parameters consist of poverty, crime, drugs, unemployment and family breakdown," he said.