A FIFE MSP last night called for the cost of protecting Gordon Brown as Prime Minister to be met entirely by the UK Government.

Tricia Marwick was adamant that the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP’s appointment should not place extra demands on Fife Constabulary’s budget and urged Westminster to allocate extra resources.

Mr Brown, who lives in North Queensferry, is likely to become the most heavily protected man in the country when he takes up his premiership on June 27.

Fife Police have refused to comment on what, if any, extra resources they will put in place as a result of Mr Brown’s new position, saying they never comment on matters of security.

However, in his annual report, Chief Constable Peter Wilson admitted the MP’s appointment would be a likely focus for policing in Fife over the coming year.

Fife Constabulary is thought to have received an additional £100,000 from the Scottish Executive to help protect Prince William when he was at university in St Andrews, but the force would not reveal whether they would ask for more cash to deal with the Gordon Brown situation.

But last night Mrs Marwick, who represents Central Fife, said it would be “intolerable” if Fife Police was left to foot the bill.

“Clearly the Prime Minister is a very important person and clearly he has to have protection. I have no argument with that,” she said.

“However, his protection needs have to be met by the UK Government and not from the resources of Fife Constabulary.

“There needs to be recognition of that and there needs to be additional resources given to Fife Constabulary to compensate them.

“It would be unacceptable if the resources of Fife Police were used to protect Gordon Brown.”