Sturgeon hits back over leaked memo row

Nicola Sturgeon has hit back at Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael over the leaked memo row, saying he should "question his whole approach to politics" if he thinks dirty tricks are a normal part of election campaigns.

"I take a very different view. I think elections should be a battle of positive ideas and that's how I'll continue to campaign," the SNP leader said.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood has ordered an inquiry into how the note - which claims Sturgeon told French ambassador Sylvie Bermann that she would prefer to see Conservatives remain in power after the election - got into the public domain.

Sturgeon insists the allegation has been "completely answered" and has called for the investigation to provide answers as soon as possible.