I was shocked but not surprised by the former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell's shameless autobiographical admission that in the run-up to last year's Holyrood election he engaged in secret talks with Gordon Brown aimed at preventing the SNP from forming – or even participating in – an administration after the election (your report, 5 March).
This merely serves to confirm the strong suspicion entertained by many observers at the time that Sir Ming himself played a crucial role in the Lib Dems' curious decision not even to enter a dialogue with the SNP on the possibility of forming a coali
tion administration, despite the evidence of widespread agreement on a range of common policies in the manifestos of both parties.
Even more disturbing is the clear evidence afforded by the pre-election Brown-Campbell talks of a concerted effort by Westminster politicians to interfere in the internal affairs of the Scottish Parliament.
It is intellectually dishonest of top Westminster politicians to proclaim their undying commitment to the principles of devolution while simultaneously doing everything in their power behind the scenes to undermine the integrity of the elected Scottish Parliament and its decision-making process.
In reality, it is painfully obvious that Messrs Brown and Campbell devoutly believe Holyrood politicians of all parties are not really up to the job of governing Scotland since they lack the allegedly superior wisdom of Westminster MPs.
It is just a pity that the Scottish Lib Dem leader, Nicol Stephen, likewise lacked the backbone to stand up to his interfering, patrician London boss.
IAN O BAYNE, Clarence Drive, Glasgow
The Scottish Liberal Democrats' position in relation to a coalition with the SNP in the aftermath of the election seemed a little odd at the time; it was unclear just why a referendum, a main promise of the winning party, was a deal-breaker (especially given the Westminster party's perennial enthusiasm for referenda).
Now we know. The Lib Dems were shackled by a veto instigated by Gordon Brown. It seems London Labour controls two parties in Scotland.
We knew the Prime Minister was a control freak, but this is ridiculous.
(DR) PAUL MIDDLETON, High Street, Lampeter, Ceredigion
I doubt very much if the SNP will be infuriated by the disclosure of Sir Menzies Campbell that our Prime Minister was working behind the scenes to prevent the SNP forming a government, without even consulting the Scottish Labour Party leadership. This is exactly the type of conduct we have come to expect from Gordon Brown.
I'm sure the Labour Party leadership in Scotland will be infuriated, but don't expect too many screams of anguish from them as they have grown accustomed toMr Brown treating them this way.
JIM CARSON, Larchfield, Balerno, Midlothian
The full article contains 462 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
