Salmond: Labour team 'second rate'

• Salmond: laying out his manifesto for the coming year Photograph: Getty

In an article for Scotland on Sunday, he claims he is fighting a "second rate Labour party", arguing that "person for person", his own team of ministers is "far stronger" than Labour.

The First Minister's move comes with the SNP hoping to highlight the fact that many of Labour's big-hitters in Scotland remain at Westminster or, like Gordon Brown and former Chancellor Alastair Darling, have quit front line politics. The SNP also believes that its front bench team can outshine Labour's with politicians such as Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon and Education Secretary Mike Russell outclassing their Labour counterparts Richard Baker, Jackie Baillie and Des McNulty.

But the First Minister's claim that he has a stronger team will be shaken this week amid growing questions over the conduct of the Education Secretary and as Finance Secretary John Swinney is accused of betraying the business community by increasing tax.

Scotland on Sunday can reveal that Russell is facing a fresh conflict of interest row after it emerged he met and advised parents campaigning against school closures in the seat he hopes to win at the next election. This is despite saying he would not get involved as Education Secretary in the school closure issue because of his interest in the seat.

Meanwhile, we can also reveal that big business will "declare war" on the Finance Secretary this week. A coalition of business organisations, including CBI Scotland and the Chambers of Commerce, are to form a new campaign group protesting at plans to raise the rates bills of major retailers.

Alex Salmond: A new social contract for a better Scotland

The fresh rows emerge as MSPs return to business this week after the festive break ahead of the 5 May Scottish elections. Salmond remains a clear distance behind Labour leader Iain Gray in the polls.

In his article, Salmond says: "In previous terms of Westminster Tory government, Scotland lacked political protection. Now we have a Parliament which offers not only a bulwark against unwanted Westminster policies but also an institution which can and will take us forward to a better future."

He continues: "May is a key moment in Scotland's journey. And for the people of Scotland the choice is clear – a second rate Labour Party, or a second term with a talented, positive SNP team."

But that team will face intense pressure from its opponents this week. Last night, Labour confirmed they would be clearing parliamentary time to challenge Russell over his handling of the education brief, with particular scrutiny focusing on his role in Argyll and Bute.

Last week, a leaked e-mail from Russell to local SNP councillors revealed he had called on them to oppose the school closures and had come up with an alternative cuts package.

It can now be revealed Russell also held meetings with the parent councils in several closure-threatened schools in Argyll and Bute, some organised through the SNP, at which he advised parents how to use new laws to help their case.

Sources close to Russell say he attended the meetings in his role as the SNP's parliamentary candidate for the seat.

The source said: "Over the past few months, Mike has met parents from several school communities. There was no ministerial involvement, no involvement of civil servants, and no ministerial transport or costs. Mike drove himself at his own expense."

But one parent said last night that Russell had been asked to come because of his government position. Robert Millar, a parent with links to Southend primary, said: "We invited him along because he was the Education Minister." E-mails seen by Scotland on Sunday from parent council groups also describe how they had held meetings with "Education Minister" Mike Russell.

Russell's advice was described by parents as "very helpful" and led to school groups ramping up their campaigns against the closures. Last week, following the area SNP's decision to oppose the measures, the council agreed to re-think its closure plan.

Labour last night claimed Russell had overstepped the boundaries. Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: "This is yet more evidence that the Education Secretary Mike Russell abused his position. Is he now going to meet with parents from every school in Scotland that is threatened with closure, or was he giving special treatment to this group because he is seeking election?"

In a separate row, Swinney will be under pressure this week to explain his plans to increase rates for large retailers. The plans, announced in his budget last year, will secure an extra 30 million from the main supermarkets and department stores.

A new body, to be called the Competitive Scotland Campaign Group, will be formed to protest at the tax rises. Its members include CBI Scotland, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Retail Consortium, the Institute of Directors and the Scottish Property Federation.

Fiona Moriarty director of the SRC said: "Many business people now feel they have been let down and this is the final death knell for the relationship between business and the Scottish Government ."

David Lonsdale, assistant director of CBI Scotland added: "It is astonishing that ministers want to make it more expensive for retail firms to invest and create jobs in Scotland, when we need private sector investment to drive the economic recovery.