By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Jack McConnell and his deputy were under fire last night after it was revealed that the cost of their special advisers was more than £700,000 last year.

The leadership of the coalition administration have appointed 12 spin doctors between them—nine for Mr McConnell and three for the Liberal Democrat deputy first minister Nicol Stephen.

Five of them are paid between £38,100 and £49,300, four between £49,301-£63,100, two between £62,800-£81,100, and one had a salary of £84,000-£100,900.

According to a written reply from Finance Minister Tom McCabe yesterday, the cost to the taxpayer last year for special advisers was £709,309.

Last night SNP finance spokesman John Swinney said the special advisers were a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“This failing Labour and Lib Dem administration continues to waste taxpayers’ money on peddling their tired out policies rather than front line services,” said the North Tayside MSP.

“What we need is medical doctors not spin doctors.

“No amount of money spent on spin doctors will change this washed-up Lib-Lab Government’s appalling record.

“It is this record that the people of Scotland will judge them on next May.”

Scottish Tory finance spokesman Derek Brownlee said, “The First Minister and his Liberal Democrat deputy now have a dozen special advisers, and their total cost is almost three quarters of a million pounds. Coming the day after the Executive denied it was wasting taxpayers’ money, this news shows the reality behind the spin.

“Ministers should lead by example. How can they tell everyone else in the public sector to be more efficient when they spend so much on special advisers themselves?

“The Scottish Executive needs a new approach, with value for money being at the heart of everything it does.

“If ministers won’t change their ways, the Scottish people will change them for them at next year’s elections.”