Opposition fights minimum pricing in Scotland

Labour and Conservative MSPs have tried to block plans to introduce minimum pricing in Scotland but paved the way for other measures that could hit pubs.

The opposition parties last night backed an amendment that remove minimum pricing from the Scottish National Party's Alcohol Bill.

However, others measures such as a social responsibility fee for late-night bars and tougher age verification policies were supported.

MSPs will debate the plan to ditch minimum pricing at the second stage of the Bill's progress at a later date.

Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: "This is the end of the road for minimum pricing. The Scottish Parliament has voted for the first time to reject the policy."

But Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "That amendment does not have any legal effect. Minimum pricing will now be considered at stage two."

Sturgeon accused Labour and the Tories of "procedural game-playing" by backing the amendment.

The Liberal Democrats did not vote on the amendment.

Minimum pricing divides opinion among politicians in Scotland. The SNP see it as necessary to tackle alcohol-related issues, while opponents fear it could penalise responsible drinkers and question whether it's legal under EU law.

MSPs on the Health and Sport Committee were split over the merits of minimum pricing in a report released last month.

Speaking before the debate, Sturgeon said: "Some public health issues are so important that they must take precedence over party politics.

"There is a large and growing body of support for minimum pricing. I hope MSPs will now do the right thing and back this evidence-based policy that already has the support of doctors, nurses, the police and growing numbers of the general population."