Liberal Democrats were behind Nicola Sturgeon memo leak, says Cameron

DAVID Cameron has suggested that the Liberal Democrats were behind the leaked memo which suggested that Nicola Sturgeon wanted him to remain Prime Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon reportedly said David Cameron should stay in Downing StreetZENPIX LTD•AFP•STOCKPIX

Nicola Sturgeon reportedly said David Cameron should stay in Downing Street

The Conservative leader said: "There is a leak inquiry under way ... I do deplore leaks of this kind.

"You have to have private diplomatic space in which to talk. I hope we get to the bottom of who did it."

When asked if he thought the Liberal Democrats were involved, David Cameron added: "I have heard very clearly [Scotland Office minister] David Mundell saying it wasn't him, so one does wonder."

In an interview with the Independent, the Prime Minister said Nick Clegg and other senior Liberal Democrats were "a bit desperate" for their attacks on the Tories in recent days.

The SNP leader has insisted the "untrue" allegations prove the "strength of the SNP" after facing calls to explain claims a diplomatic memo recorded her saying privately that the Labour leader was not "prime minister material".

Last week, Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood ordered a leak inquiry into how a civil service account of the private meeting with the French ambassador was obtained by a newspaper.

As she sought to capitalise on a huge boost in popularity after a strong performance in ITV's leaders' debate, the First Minister insisted claims were "categorically, 100% untrue".

France’s consul general, Pierre-Alain Coffinier, also denied Nicola Sturgeon gave any personal preference on the prime minister.

This afternoon Ms Sturgeon said there was "panic in Westminster".

She told Sky News she was astonished by the Daily Telegraph's story, adding that she had previously said she would be willing to work with Ed Miliband to keep the Conservatives out of Downing Street.

She said: "This underlines the strength of the SNP and the threat we pose to the consensus at Westminster.

"There were two people who had the conversation and they both say it didn't happen. That part of the story has been answered.

"Westminster is clearly panicking."

She added: "The bigger question and one I am raising with the head of the civil service is who wrote this memo since the foreign office seem to be denying all knowledge of it.

"How did it come to contain such an inaccuracy and how did it get into the hands of the Tory-supporting Daily Telegraph?"

Sturgeon's strong performance in the high-profile televised debate has focused attention on her party's potentially pivotal role in forming the next UK government.

Nicola Sturgeon in a media scrumPA

Nicola Sturgeon faces the media in a visit to Corstorphine Pharmacy in Edinburgh

Discussion appears to have focused mainly on the political situation, with the FM stating that she'd... rather see David Cameron remain as PM

Leaked email

Tories described the prospect of a Labour government propped up by the votes of the Scottish nationalists as a "lethal cocktail" which would destabilise the country and undermine the economic recovery.

And in an echo of the sort of headlines that greeted Nick Clegg's perceived victory in the 2010 TV leaders debates, she was branded "the most dangerous woman in Britain" by the Daily Mail.

Polls suggest the anti-austerity SNP could snatch dozens of Labour seats north of the border and Ms Sturgeon has vowed to use Commons influence to "lock out" the Tories and ensure Labour does not "sell out on its values".

However the Daily Telegraph claimed a UK Government memorandum written after Scotland's First Minister met Sylvie Bermann in February detailed her preference for David Cameron remaining in Downing Street.

The note, seen by the newspaper, was written by a British civil servant after a conversation with the French consul-general.

According to the Telegraph, it said: "Discussion appears to have focused mainly on the political situation, with the FM stating that she wouldn't want a formal coalition with Labour; that the SNP would almost certainly have a large number of seats ... that she'd rather see David Cameron remain as PM."

Nicola Sturgeon in the leader's debatePA

Nicola Sturgeon in the leader's debate

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said it was a "devastating revelation that exposes the uncomfortable truth behind the SNP's General Election campaign".

He said: "For months Nicola Sturgeon has been telling Scots she wants rid of David Cameron yet behind closed doors with foreign governments she admits she wants a Tory Government.

"If Scotland votes SNP in May then Nicola Sturgeon will get her wish - the Tories will be the largest party across the UK and David Cameron will return to Downing Street. Only a vote for Labour will deliver a Labour government."

In an angry retort to one of the journalists who wrote the story, the SNP leader wrote on Twitter: "your story is categorically, 100%, untrue ... which I'd have told you if you'd asked me at any point today."

A spokeswoman for the First Minister added: "It must be a belated April Fool.

"As Nicola has said on numerous occasions, she wants to see the back of a Tory government which is decisively rejected by the people of Scotland and unlike Labour, the SNP is the only party that has promised to lock David Cameron out of Downing Street."

SNP leader eyes possible informal partnership with Labour

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