THE Tories have accused Alex Salmond of complacency over the issue of early release of prisoners, after producing figures that show 161 rapists and 277 killers were among several thousand inmates allowed back on to the streets since the SNP came to power in 2007.

The exchanges came at First Minister's Questions, where Ruth Davidson said polls showed 95% of the public were against early release, but Mr Salmond replied that the Tories should be modest about the policy as it dated back to their time in office.

The Scots Tory leader said after the exchanges: "Alex Salmond today displayed nothing but complacency towards the anguish felt by victims and their families."