He said:

"The SNP ran an overwhelmingly positive campaign that caught the attention and imagination of voters across Scotland with a strong vision for the future of our country.

"As the latest opinion polls show that popularity continues to grow as the SNP Government delivers on our manifesto and moves Scotland forward amidst a new tide of optimism across the country.

"The key question from today's figures is where did Labour's £1.1 million come from?

"We know Charlie Gordon's local campaign was run with dodgy dosh.  Was the rest of Scottish Labour's campaign bankrolled by David Abrahams?

"Money donated to Scottish Labour does not add up to £1.1 million - in fact it leaves them hundreds of thousands of pounds short.

"Labour must answer the question - how much money came from London and how much of that must be repaid as part of Labour's illegal donations."

ENDS

Notes:

• Figures released today show the Scottish Labour Party spent £1.1 million on the May 2007 Scottish Parliament elections
• Between 1 January and 30 June (the period covered by today's expenditure), Labour received £595,197.72 in registered cash donations and £82,983 in non cash donations. This leaves a funding gap of £424,685.30.
• Taking account of donations from 1 October 2006 until 30 June 2007 there is still a funding gap of £367,301.80
• The SNP spent £1,383,462 on the May 2007 Scottish elections, and raised £1,378,017.50 in donations over £5,000 from 1 October and 30 June 2007.
• The SNP election appeal benefited from a further £310,796.50 in smaller donations.