ALEX Salmond's claim that rising tourism, investment and employment in Scotland are down to the "halo" effect of the independence referendum has been branded as bordering on the delusional.
Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, also said it was an insult to hardworking people and businesses.
The First Minister said the recent 20 per cent rise in tourism, eight per cent increase in inward investment and the record surge in employment was largely down to Scotland's increased international profile as a result of the referendum, the Year of Homecoming, the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
Speaking at Oil & Gas UK's inaugural annual conference in Aberdeen, Mr Salmond said much of the good economic news, which showed the "strength of Scotland" was down to it being "top of the news".
"We are seeing a surge in investment; we are seeing the halo effect. What is interesting, of course, is the doomsayers, the No campaign, George Osborne, told us the referendum would be a problem.
"Now we have an absolute demonstration through this accumulation of economic statistics this week that the reverse is true; Scotland is encountering a halo effect."
Mr Alexander said: "On the day his office has been revealed to be smearing Scots who want to keep the UK together, the last thing Alex Salmond should be doing is polishing his halo."
Describing the FM's comments as "bordering on delusion", the Highland MP said: "To suggest progress in Scotland is down to some magical 'halo' effect caused by publicity is an insult to the hardworking people and businesses that are the real drivers of the recovery."
Alistair Carmichael, the Scottish Secretary, added: "The rest of the UK is performing well without having a referendum, so that puts a big dent in Alex Salmond's halo theory."
Mr Alexander also responded to the FM's assertion that recent industry warnings about the risks of independence were down to "one or two individuals". It was, said the Treasury Minister, "breathtaking he can dismiss the concerns from major businesses as concerns from 'one or two individuals'".
The Chief Secretary insisted "Britain is bouncing back" after the latest figures showed UK employment rose by a record 345,000 to 30.5m in the three months to April.
UK unemployment fell by 161,000 to 2.16m, a five-year low.
In Scotland, employment rose 16,000 over the same period, meaning 2.57m people are in work; this is up 0.5 per cent to 73.4 per cent compared to the UK average of 72.9 per cent. Scottish unemployment fell by 7000 to 183,000. The jobless rate is 6.6 per cent, the same as the UK's.
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