A FORMER leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has warned that the Commonwealth Games risk being damaged by political point scoring.

Tavish Scott held back from endorsing calls by former First Minister Jack McConnell for a truce in campaigning in the independence referendum.

But he said that any attempt by the SNP to exploit the Games would see them "booed by people the length and breadth of Scotland".

His comments came after First Minister Alex Salmond denied that politics would overshadow the Games and dismissed calls for a two-week ceasefire.

Mr Scott said it was "revealing" that Mr Salmond could "not find anything wrong with politics and the Commonwealth Games running in parallel".

For his part, the SNP leader said that the Games, due to finish just over six weeks before the independence vote, "are going to be the most enormous success".

"The idea that politics will overshadow the Games is nonsensical," he added.