British Prime Minister David Cameron was today trying to placate Conservative MPs who are threatening to scupper further devolution for Scotland unless he curbs the voting rights of Scottish MPs at Westminster.
Cameron was hosting a summit for about 20 senior Tories at his Chequers country residence as he comes under conflicting pressures after Scotland's rejection of independence last week. Downing St denied Alex Salmond's claims that Cameron was already reneging on his joint "vow" with Labour leader Ed Miliband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg to devolve more power to the Scottish Parliament in the event of a No vote.
The outgoing First Minister seized on Cameron's decision that "English votes for English MPs" should proceed "at the same pace" as more Scottish devolution, saying Labour and Conservative positions were now "irreconcilable". Salmond said: "It's the people who voted No because they believed these commitments from the Westminster leadership who are feeling most angry, most hurt, most disappointed in Scotland today."
No10 moved to end confusion. Sources said these were "two separate processes" and that there were "no ifs and no buts" about Scotland getting what it was promised. Some Tories are threatening to vote against the legislation to give the Edinburgh Parliament more clout unless Cameron brings in "English votes for English laws" at the same time.
Several Labour MPs from English constituencies fear the party will suffer at next May's general election if it does not agree to dilute the voting power of Scottish MPs. The Labour leadership fears this could cripple a future Labour government. It could fail to get its laws approved without its large block of Scottish MPs. Miliband refused to budge, saying he was open to the idea "of greater scrutiny of legislation by English MPs", which could be achieved by setting up a committee. That would still allow Scottish MPs to vote on laws affecting England only in the Commons chamber.
