Fiona O’Donnell, Scottish Labour candidate for East Lothian, has slammed her SNP opponent’s secret plan (revealed in today’s Scotsman) to see the economy “implode” as a route to independence, showing a flagrant disregard for the local economy, jobs and the future of East Lothian.

George Kerevan’s pitch to SNP members is quoted as saying, ” If the SNP gains enough seats, we can ensure the full Home Rule vow is delivered -; not just Smith. After Home Rule, independence will follow as the UK economy implodes.”

Fiona O’Donnell said:

“These astonishing remarks were made by my SNP opponent in a document which he clearly thought would never be seen by those whose votes he is seeking. They lay bare the SNP’s willingness to see jobs and living standards devastated in their push for independence.

“East Lothian has already suffered enough after five years of the Tories. To advocate a plan that would result, in his own words, in the UK economy imploding and all the damage that would cause to local businesses and families is reckless and irresponsible.

“I would never put local jobs, businesses and the future of my constituents at risk for a political project. While George Kerevan says he would ‘relish’ the ‘all-night sittings’ and media attention resulting from the SNP’s wrecking agenda, the lives of working people of East Lothian and Scotland would only be damaged by the chaos he seeks to provoke.

“I respected the outcome of the referendum. It is clear that my SNP opponent does not and only wants to go to Westminster to push for a second referendum, at any cost.”

Iain Gray MSP said:

“I sat on the Smith Commission which will make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world. SNP representatives signed up to the final agreement with me and the other political parties. Now their local candidate wants to trash that agreement in the drive for a second referendum, regardless of the cost.

“Voters in East Lothian have a clear choice on 7 May. They can re-elect a hardworking local MP who will stand up for them on the issues that matter, like jobs and public services, or they can opt for an untried outsider who will spend every day working for a second referendum, with all the division and uncertainty that would bring.”