Cameron hits back at Brown on Scots visit

Mr Cameron hit out as he continued to defend George Osborne, who denies trying to solicit a £50,000 donation from aluminium tycoon Oleg Deripaska.[>

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Speaking as he campaigned in Glenrothes – ahead of next month’s by-election – the Tory leader said Gordon Brown’s calls for an investigation were “extraordinary”.[>

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Mr Cameron also acknowledged that Scotland could soon split away from the United Kingdom but pledged to fight for the survival of the 300-year-old Union.[>

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He went his furthest yet in admitting that devolution has weakened the link between Scotland and England and conceded: “Of course it is possible that Scotland can stand alone – that is true.[>

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“I just think it would be better off in the United Kingdom. Better off for all of us.[>

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“I don’t think we would ever succeed in saving the Union by frightening Scots by saying ‘you couldn’t possibly make it on your own.’[>

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“That’s not the way I approach it. We’ll win the case for the Union through taking a generous attitude rather than a small-minded one.” He canvassed votes in Glenrothes despite recognition among Tories that the party has no hope of victory in the November 6 vote.[>

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The contest is a straight fight between Labour – holders of the seat – and the SNP. Despite a 10,664 Labour majority, the SNP are still favourites to win following the political earthquake that was Glasgow East this summer.  [>

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Mr Cameron visited the Fife town with Tory candidate Maurice Golden and Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie – a day after both SNP leader Alex Salmond and Mr Brown’s wife Sarah hit the constituency.[>

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Much of the Tory leader’s time was spent rebutting Mr Brown’s call for “the authorities” to investigate Mr Osborne’s relationship with Mr Deripaska.[>

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Mr Cameron hit back: “I don’t understand what he was on about – and I’m not quite sure he did either. It is extraordinary. The Prime Minister’s spokesman was asked what needed to be answered, what the allegations are that need to be investigated, and there literally was no answer. I can only assume it was a desperate measure to try to keep things going with a piece of political manoeuvring.”[>

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Labour Cabinet Minister James Purnell, who was also campaigning in Glenrothes yesterday, sought to capitalise on the row but failed to answer when repeatedly asked what the specific allegations against Mr Osborne were.[>

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Meanwhile, Westminster watchdogs rejected a fresh call for an inquiry into the claims that Mr Osborne sought a donation from Mr Deripaska aboard his yacht this summer in Corfu.[>

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Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne wrote to Electoral Commission chairman Sam Younger urging him to launch a probe or explain why the allegations against Mr Osborne fall outside his remit.[>

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The Commission said it saw no reason to change its view that soliciting  a donation that was not eventually made, could not constitute a breach of the law.[>