David Cameron’s SNP attacks called ‘dangerous’

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: PA

DAVID Cameron’s hardline attacks on Scottish Nationalism are “dangerous” and “threaten the integrity” of the UK, a former Tory secretary of state has warned.

Lord Forsyth spoke out as senior Conservatives ramped up their onslaught against the SNP on the day of the Nationalists’ election manifesto launch. London mayor Boris Johnson compared the party’s potential UK influence to child-killing King Herod “running a baby farm”.

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday insisted the SNP will not seek to “bring down governments” at Westminster as she launched the document. The First Minister appealed to English voters with a promise the SNP will use any post-election influence “responsibly and constructively” and in the interests of the whole of the UK.

The SNP’s spectacular surge in the polls since last September’s failed independence referendum has led to predictions that the party could seize as many as 56 of Scotland’s 59 seats, leaving it holding the balance of power in Westminster.

Ms Sturgeon set out a package of measures containing a number of “English-only” policies, including more NHS spending in England and a cut in tuition fees south of the Border.

The proposals were branded a “ransom note” by the Tories, in the hope that stirring up fears among wavering English voters about Scottish Nationalists holding sway at Westminster could boost stagnant poll ratings.

But Lord Forsyth, the Scottish secretary from 1995 to 1997, warned this could backfire in dire fashion. “We’ve had the dilemma for Conservatives, which is they want to be the largest party at Westminster and therefore some see the fact that the Nationalists are going to take seats in Scotland [from Labour]will be helpful,” he said in an interview yesterday.

“But that is a short-term and dangerous view which threatens the integrity of our country.”

Ms Sturgeon has said she will not do “any deal” which would put the Tories into power, but she has offered to help make Ed Miliband prime minister in a deal short of formal coalition.

But Lord Forsyth, who was MP for Stirling, also warned that attempts to undermine the legitimacy of Nationalist MPs ran counter to the “one-family” referendum appeal from the No campaign.