A minister under Opposition attack for an alleged conflict of interest was today defended by the Scottish Government.

A minister under Opposition attack for an alleged conflict of interest was today defended by the Scottish Government.

Rural secretary Richard Lochhead has been taken to task by MSPs over his support for a bypass in Elgin - a project not included in the Government's recently published transport strategy document.

Mr Lochhead said last week it was "disappointing" the Elgin bypass was not included and said he will work with local politicians and transport specialists to make a case for it.

Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Alison McInnes MSP said today: "Richard Lochhead needs to decide what his priorities are.

"Will he choose to prop up his Government's transport blueprint, which ignores promises the SNP made to communities across Scotland?

"Or will he choose to keep his promise to his constituents and continue to campaign for an Elgin bypass?

"He cannot do both so his position as it stands is untenable."

But a Scottish Government spokesman said: "He is a constituency MSP as well as being cabinet secretary.

"Of course he has the interests of his constituents in mind.

"He has made and will continue to make representations on that basis - he has a duty as a constituency MSP to represent his constituents and their wishes.

"That is the case with all ministers and all MSPs."