Johann Lamont, Scottish Labour leader, today accused Alex Salmond of being the 'Fred Goodwin of Scottish politics'.

She compared the disgraced banker’s arrogance over the ABN AMRO deal to the First Minister’s faltering case for independence

The Labour Leader told the First Minister it was time he started answering the hard questions about what breaking up the United Kingdom would mean for Scotland.

She said: “By encouraging and supporting Fred Goodwin to go ahead with the ABN AMRO deal, Alex Salmond displayed a serious error of judgement.

“Mr Goodwin clearly got carried away with himself, didn’t ask the hard questions and became blind to the consequences - Alex Salmond needs to learn lessons from the RBS experience.

“So far, he has simply failed to make any coherent economic case for independence and appears to be making it up as he goes along.

 “It doesn’t add up – just like the RBS deal that broke the bank.

“The people of Scotland deserve real answers to the consequences of separation and the First Minister isn’t prepared to do due diligence.

“He is fast becoming the Fred Goodwin of Scottish politics.”

2 February 2012