Scotland Bill: boiling point

THE controversial evidence session of Holyrood's Scotland Bill committee on 11 January led to Professors Andrew Hughes Hallett and Drew Scott lodging official complaints. Here is the moment when the exchange became heated.

Wendy Alexander, right: "I am struggling to find the piece of evidence that supports your assertion that there will be a 1.3 per cent increase in GDP as a result of fiscal decentralisation. Where is the study?"

Prof Scott: "With great respect, I am struggling to find the relevance of this to the Scotland Bill. If you would like us to conduct a seminar on our work, we could do it in a more convivial atmosphere."

Ms Alexander: "Is it your work or is it somebody else's work?"

Prof Scott: "With respect … we are here today to provide evidence on the impact of the Scotland Bill, not to discuss the academic and intellectual arguments surrounding an alternative that is not being legislated for."