WILLIE Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has claimed Fife would have been better off without the giant Amazon depot which employs hundreds of people.

The MSP, who represents Mid-Scotland and Fife, said staff endured "terrible" working conditions.

He also criticised Amazon's tax record.

Speaking during an election debate featuring four of the five Holyrood party leaders, he said: "The quality of the experience (for staff) is terrible and they (Scottish government ministers) need to bring these kind of things to an end.

"I think Fife would be far better off if we had invested in home grown industries rather than chasing tax dodging companies."

Amazon's "fulfilment centre" in Dunfermline is the biggest in the UK.

Around 750 permanent staff work at the depot, which is the size of 14 football pitches.

A further 1500 people are hired at peak times.

However, the firm has been criticised over its employment practices.

It was also criticised for limiting its tax liabilities in the UK, paying £11.9million to HMRC on sales of £5.3billion in 2014.

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, rejected Mr Rennie's comments.

"I'll leave Willie Rennie to argue that folk at Amazon in Fife should lose their job," she told an audience at Dundee University.

The comments came in an election debate organised by Dundee University Students' Association.

Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens leader, and Tory MSP Alex Johnstone also took party.

They answered questions on graduate jobs, the economy, the EU referendum and mental health during the 75-minute debate, the first in the run-up to the Holyrood election on May 5.

Ms Dugdale and Mr Harvie both spoke out in favour of bringing back post-study work visas to attract overseas students and help boost the economy.

Mr Harvie accused the UK Government of a "betrayal" after ministers appeared to rule out a return of the scheme.

He added: "We should go into the Holyrood election saying we will not accept that position."

In his opening remarks, Mr Johnstone, standing in for Ruth Davidson, joked: I find when I speak in Dundee it's a good idea to start by explaining what a Conservative is."