SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has accused Whitehall of 'dirty tricks' after a leaked memo claimed she told a French diplomat she would prefer David Cameron as prime minister over Ed Miliband. The Daily Telegraph published what it says is an official government memorandum detailing a private meeting between Ms Sturgeon and Sylvie Bermann, the French Ambassador to the UK.
Ms Sturgeon said the story was 'categorically, 100% untrue'. The French consul general in Edinburgh, Pierre-Alain Coffinier, whose comments allegedly formed the basis of the memo, told the BBC Ms Sturgeon did not express any preference for a leader. A spokesman for the French ambassador also said the SNP leader had not expressed an opinion on who she would prefer as prime minister.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood confirmed a leak inquiry had been set up. In a letter to Ms Sturgeon, he said: 'I can confirm that earlier today I instigated a Cabinet Office-led leak inquiry to establish how extracts from this document may have got into the public domain.' The Foreign Office said they had no record of the memo, while the Scotland Office declined to comment on leaks.
Labour called the report 'damning' and said that even if it was not true, 'the SNP are happy to see another Tory government'. Conservative leader David Cameron warned against a 'coalition of chaos' between Labour and the SNP. Polls suggest the SNP could win a number of seats from Labour on 7 May.
