Thurso criticises Tories' two faced approach to Westminster

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2003

John Thurso, Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokesman for Scottish Affairs, today criticised the Conservative and Unionist Party for its two faced approach to the Westminster Parliament:

"I in common with all other MPs have been elected as a Member of the United Kingdom Parliament with a full right to take part in all proceedings. I fully intend to offer effective opposition to this Government at every opportunity.

"The Tory stance lacks all credibility. It is both contrary to their policy and lacks logic. It merely demonstrates that they have given up on making any advances in Scotland. In any event the only Scottish MP, Peter Duncan, has already voted on English only legislation.

"This is a problem that has been created by an asymmetrical devolution. If this Government were to carry devolution through to its logical consequences in England as it has in Wales and Scotland the so called West Lothian question would cease to have any relevance."