ALEX Salmond "played into the hands" of Tory strategists ahead of the last general election, an SNP grandee has admitted.

Kenny MacAskill, who served in Mr Salmond’s cabinet as justice secretary for his entire seven-year stint as First Minister, said that comments made by his old boss provided a boost to David Cameron's campaign before the Tories claimed a shock majority.

Research has suggested that the Conservative strategy of repeatedly warning of the consequences of the SNP holding the balance of power at Westminster, with most polls in the run-up to the vote predicting a hung parliament, was crucial in persuading English voters to put Mr Cameron back into Number 10.

While the SNP has previously blamed Ed Miliband for ruling out any form of alliance and therefore "standing up" the Tory warnings, Mr MacAskill suggested that his own party should shoulder at least some of the responsibility because its actions heaped pressure on Labour to adopt the hardline stance.

He said: "For all Labour were hostile to this, the SNP in 2015 also played into Tory strategists' hands. The SNP did say that we would hold London's feet to the fire.

"I do remember Alex, who I am a good friend of, going how we would make Labour dance to a Scottish tune. That did play into the Tory hands and Labour have to confront that."

Backing a 'progressive alliance' at Westminster following the next general election, which would see Labour, SNP and Green MPs work together, he added: "What we have to do is draw a line, say that election has passed, the next election is entirely different."

Ahead of the 2015 general election, the Tories repeatedly warned of "people who want to break up Britain" holding influence over then-Labour leader Mr Miliband, with polls predicting that the SNP could have the power to act as kingmakers at Westminster. While Nicola Sturgeon ruled out supporting the Tories, she was willing to support Labour into Government in return for concessions.

The Conservatives produced posters of Mr Miliband in Mr Salmond's top pocket, and leapt on comments made by the former First Minister when he declared that Scotland would "call the tune" after the general election. Mr Salmond also told supporters he would write Ed Balls' first budget, with footage of the claim shared on social media by Mr Cameron. The Tories produced a memorable online animation and poster campaign depicting a Mr Salmond as a sinister puppet master and Mr Miliband dancing to a tune played by the former SNP leader on a recorder at Westminster.

Mr Miliband, who had ruled out any formal coalition with the SNP, hardened his stance as pressure from the Conservatives mounted. He eventually said he would refuse any form of deal even if it meant Labour was unable to form a government.

The Tories eventually claimed a narrow majority in what was seen as a shock result, handing the party the power to call the referendum that will see the UK quit the EU and forced Mr Cameron's resignation.

Mr MacAskill, who quit politics when he stood down as an MSP in March, made the comments at a fringe event at the IdeaSpace conference on Friday, an alternative to the SNP's showpiece.

He was responding to SNP MP Philippa Whitford, who stuck to the party line by blaming Labour for ruling out any agreement between the parties during last year's campaign.

She said: "I agree there's a lot of common ground and a lot of things we can work together on... Nicola made it clear in 2015 that we would have been happy to work with Labour at that time, it was obviously Ed Miliband who rejected it."