THE Lib Dem have been accused of a "desperate ploy" to defend a key Scottish seat after hinting they will grant Inverness a £300million development deal before the election.
The Highland capital - part of Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander's constituency - has been seeking a City Deal for more than a year.
A row broke out yesterday after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he hoped to sign off the deal before the election.
Drew Hendry, the SNP leader of Highland Council accused the Lib Dem chief of attempting to save his cabinet colleague from defeat in the election.
Mr Alexander rejected the charge but confirmed he was keen to confirm City Deals for Inverness and Aberdeen as quickly as possible.
The UK Government has agreed 26 City Deals.
The bespoke programmes give cities or regions access to extra funding in return for creating agreed numbers of jobs.
Last summer, Glasgow became the first Scottish city to benefit from the scheme, winning £1.2billion in UK and Scottish government funding and loans.
Mr Clegg said he would "really like" to sign off City Deals with Inverness and Aberdeen before the General Election.
He said in a newspaper interview: "If we could, I would be very keen to do so."
Mr Hendry - who is standing against Mr Alexander in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey seat - said: "Of course everyone will be pleased that the UK government is at long last apparently looking to invest in Inverness.
"The £300 million city deal initiative is something that I have been calling for over a year - I have twice written to Danny Alexander about it, but I received no response.
"My concern of this announcement is in the timing so near to the General Election - efforts to make Inverness the great Highland capital it deserves to be must not be compromised by the Lib Dems in a desperate ploy to try and reverse their collapse in support."
Asked about the move during a visit to Holyrood yesterday, Mr Alexander denied the Lib Dems were guilty of "pork barrel" politics.
But he said: "Both Inverness and Aberdeen have suggested they would like to pursue a City Deal and obviously I would encourage that.
"They would have to go through the same process as other City Deals deals.
"These ideas have been on the table for some time.
"If we can get an agreement in place quickly, we should, it would be good for these areas.
"These two cities have the most potential to be powerhouses for the Scottish economy."
The Highland capital has plans for a new regional sports centre, a visitor attraction at Inverness Castle and a major cultural development featuring a museum, library and gallery.
The Granite City is eyeing new housing, a replacement exhibition centre and an upgrade of Aberdeen harbour.
The City Deal is being sought jointly by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils.
The Lib Dems are also seeking to defend the Aberdeenshire seat of Gordon from a challenge by former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr Clegg's comments were welcomed in both cities.
Highland Council deputy leader David Alston said: "It's good news. It's very encouraging.
"This is very much about putting Inverness on the map as vibrant 21st century city at the heart of the Highlands."
Robert Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "We believe that a City Deal could provide an important source of funding for much of this work and we would encourage and support both councils to work together to secure this financial backing, to keep our region at the heart of a prosperous country."
ends
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