Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy was today accused of provoking a "diplomatic incident" with Norway.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy was today accused of provoking a "diplomatic incident" with Norway.

Labour seized on comments by the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store pointing out the differences between both countries.

The party claimed these undermined SNP claims that Scotland could emulate Norway's success as an independent country.

Mr Murphy highlighted the comments during Scottish Questions in the House of Commons.

But Norwegian ambassador Bjarne Lindstrom today said in a letter to the Daily Mail: "The Norwegian Foreign minister did not intend to criticise either side in this debate, which is a domestic political discussion."

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said today: "This is a massive embarrassment to the Labour Party, and a humiliation for Jim Murphy who raised this contrived nonsense in the House of Commons.

"He has only been in post a few weeks, and such is his desperation to attack the SNP that he has caused a diplomatic incident with Norway.

"The more people talk about Norway the better for Scotland.

"It draws attention to Norway's outstanding success as an independent nation - far more prosperous per head than the UK - which is why Labour's phoney attack has backfired."