IF it wasn't for the Labour Party, Johann Lamont would probably be a fine leader of the Labour Party.

Each time she lobs an aspersion in Alex Salmond's direction he returns wounding fire with a reference to all the things the brothers and sisters have been up to.

In a just world, Lamont would explain that what happens at Westminster doesn't have much to do with her. Since she is a devout unionist, however, she can't pretend, to take a handy example, she has never heard of all the stout socialists who used to pay court to Rupert Murdoch.

Such, though, was the impossible task Lamont set herself. She should have had the First Minister bang to rights. While launching a new tabloid with "exclusive news" of the referendum's date, Murdoch had been tweeting warm words about independence. Where had the tale come from?

The next thing we knew, the friend you wouldn't want to phone was in town for a cup of tea, a Tunnock's wafer (allegedly), and a wee chat with the First Minister. Naturally, they talked of little but jobs and investment. But isn't Murdoch persona distinctly non grata at the moment?

Lamont was alleging that someone in Salmond's vicinity had been a "government source for the sake of a front-page splash". This was, mind you, "before the consultation was completed, before this parliament was told, and before the people of Scotland had their say". The First Minister had also contributed prose to the new paper.

It was a theme worth exploring. Salmond has acquired, let's say, an interesting group of acquaintances among the rich and powerful. There's Donald Trump; there's Fred Goodwin; there is – though Lamont didn't say so – Brian Souter. Now Murdoch returns to join the patriotic band. Or something of the sort.

The insinuation posed no problem for the First Minister. Date yet to be decided; consultation not yet complete; the people will decide: the script is well-known.

He was not made to squirm, however, over rolling out the welcome mat for a tycoon who is not, currently, democracy's best advertisement.

Salmond simply went into a routine – an entirely accurate one – reminding Lamont that Ed Miliband and Ed Balls were supping Murdoch's champagne not so long ago. The First Minister, discussing jobs and investment, was therefore a paragon by comparison.

He had better hope that those liable to vote in a referendum reach the same conclusion.