Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron was in St Andrews yesterday to support Elizabeth Riches, his party’s north-east Fife candidate.

Leader says hard Brexit would harm institutions like St Andrews University

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron accused SNP politicians of not having their own minds as he launched his party’s bid to topple Stephen Gethins in North East Fife.

Mr Farron’s battle bus rolled into St Andrews yesterday, where he laid into the Tories for reheating an immigration cap that he said threatens Scotland’s most prestigious university.

But he refused to admonish a senior colleague, who suggested Lib Dem supporters should vote for Labour to help beat the Conservatives.

Speaking to The Courier on the campaign bus, Mr Farron denied the 67 councillors returned in the council elections was a disappointment, saying they had made gains in areas they are targeting at Westminster.

He said Elizabeth Riches, the Lib Dem candidate in North East Fife, would be a “strong local champion” when a Nationalist MP would only “bang on” about the constitution.

“For a party that favours independence, I see little independent thought within their parliamentary group,” he said.

“The UK as a whole is facing the most extreme version of Brexit possible under Theresa May and what you need is a strong opposition that will hold her to account – not cheerleaders for independence.”

Earlier, Sir Vince Cable, the former business secretary, was secretly recorded telling Lib Dem supporters they should consider backing Labour candidates in certain seats to stop the Tories.

Mr Farron refused to repeat Sir Vince’s endorsement of tactical voting, but said he is “completely on the same page” with the Twickenham candidate.

“We have been very clear – no coalitions, no pacts and no deals,” he added.

The Tories said the Lib Dems say things publicly “completely at odds with what they say and do in private”.

Mr Farron said Theresa May “should have learnt her lesson” after the Conservatives pledged to include an immigration cap again in their manifesto.

He highlighted St Andrews University, which relies on the flow of students and academics from abroad, as an example of how the cap will harm Scotland.

Jenny Gilruth, the SNP MSP, said the Lib Dems’ attack on the SNP was “desperate stuff”.

“We know this is a clear fight between the Tories and the SNP,” she added.

“People have a simple choice between Stephen Gethins, who has provided North East Fife with a strong voice at Westminster, and the Tories who are doing untold damage to industries like education and food and drink with their plans for a damaging hard Brexit.”

Marking Europe Day, Mr Gethins said it is “completely unacceptable” Mrs May still uses EU nationals as “bargaining chips” in the Brexit negotiations.