Scotland's fishermen were last night at the centre of a public row between Holyrood and Westminster.

Scotland's fishermen were last night at the centre of a public row between Holyrood and Westminster.

London ministers accused Richard Lochhead, the SNP Fisheries Secretary, of playing politics by announcing new proposals for fishing quotas.

UK Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw suggested the proposals may not be legal and would bring "risk and uncertainty" to fishermen.

Mr Lochhead published proposals for a review of the way fish quotas are managed.

Mr Shaw accused the Scottish administration of "unilateral action which tears up long-standing arrangements".

The consultation document received a cautious response from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.