Scottish Conservatives rocked as another candidate withdraws

Conservative leader Annabel Goldie has denied the party's Scottish Parliament campaign in Glasgow has collapsed following allegations of problems within the party.

Key candidate Malcolm Macaskill dropped out of the election battle last week and Tory councillor David Meikle has withdrawn from the city's regional ballot.

Mr Meikle will stand as a constituency candidate for Glasgow Southside.

Protesters from Glasgow group Citizens United Against Cuts to Public Services also interrupted the launch of the Tories' election campaign with placards campaigning against budget cuts to public services imposed by the Westminster coalition.

Speaking about the issues in Glasgow, Miss Goldie said: "There has not been a collapse in the Glasgow campaign.

"Issues arose in Glasgow and, quite rightly, the party has dealt with these issues.

"That's territory for politics and that's territory for elections, things happen to parties.

"The Liberal Democrats have lost an MSP, who has decided to become an independent.

"These are the issues which can arise. I'm here and I have been campaigning to highlight the very positive record of Scottish Conservative achievements in the Scottish Parliament over the last four years, and these achievements, I know, are resonating across the length and breadth of Scotland."

Miss Goldie also stressed that the Tories in London were happy with the election campaign north of the border.

She added: "The Tory hierarchy down south is delighted with the campaign we are running, David Cameron personally endorsed it when I met him earlier this year.

"He was very positive. He also feels that we have a very impressive record of delivery in the Scottish Parliament."

Tory officials also claimed a number of achievements from the party in the past four years, including 1,000 extra police officers, cuts in business rates and a 60 million town centre regeneration fund.

Miss Goldie added: "I want to build on that positive record and, next week, our manifesto will set out how we shall deliver even more for Scotland.

"How we shall support families, create jobs, provide opportunity, keep our communities safe and promote a greener Scotland."