By G.A.Ponsonby 
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has launched an astonishing attack on UK PM David Cameron over the PM’s decision to walk away from negotiations on the Euro treaty.
Speaking on Newsnight Scotland Mr Moore stated that Mr Cameron was wrong to use the veto and that the PM ought to have remained with other Euro members in order to negotiate a deal that suited the UK, “The veto should not have been wielded” insisted the Lib Dem MP.
Mr Moore’s astonishing comment is merely the latest in a barrage of criticism that has followed the Tory leader’s decision to walk out of talks last Friday.
It will also be viewed as remarkable given Mr Moore’s role as Secretary of State for Scotland, particularly since First Minister Alex Salmond has made the same criticism.
Speaking on the programme Mr Moore was asked to comment on the First Minister’s complaints that there had been no consultation of any of the devolved administrations prior to last week’s Euro meeting.
Mr Moore responded by claiming that the Scottish government had been given every opportunity to make their case prior to the meeting in Brussels.
The Lib Dem MP appeared to backtrack on earlier suggestions that the First Minister was aware that a veto was likely.
However interviewer Gordon Brewer appeared surprised when Moore stated that the use of the veto by Mr Cameron had been wrong. A genuinely amazed Gordon Brewer informed the Lib Dem MP that he was the first Cabinet Minister to publicly state such a view.
Asked if Mr cameron had been right to walk away from the talks Mr Moore said: “The veto should not have been wielded, we should not have walked away from the table, we should have kept at the table and kept talking.”
Moore’s criticism of David Cameron comes barely a week after a spat between the two men resulted in the Tory PM distancing himself from the gaffe prone Lib Dem MP.
Moore had claimed in a magazine interview that he did not consider himself a Unionist and that the current constitutional situation was “horribly outdated”.
The attack by Moore on the Tory PM’s negotiating abilities will do little to restore harmony to a coalition currently under pressure over what many are claiming is the damaging isolation of the UK and concerns over the economy and jobs.
Moore’s comments will also cause dismay to Unionists who are sensitive to any statements that appear to endorse the views of First Minister Alex Salmond.
