By Steve Bargeton, political editor

LABOUR’S POLICY on the future of Scotland was in disarray last night after Prime Minister Gordon Brown refused to back Wendy Alexander’s plans for a referendum on independence.

Earlier this week Ms Alexander shocked colleagues north and south of the border by announcing a complete U-turn and calling for an early referendum.

She claimed she had the full personal support of the Prime Minister, but yesterday in the Commons there was no sign of it.

Under questions from Conservative leader David Cameron Mr Brown made it clear he is not backing a referendum and insisted there will be no change of policy until after the Calman Commission looking at the future of devolution has reported.

Mr Cameron asked the Prime Minister, “Wendy Alexander says there should be a referendum now on Scottish independence. Do you agree with her?”

To howls from MPs Mr Brown replied, “That is not what she has said.

“The Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the Labour Party have joined together in setting up the Calman review, the commission on devolution.

“I hope we can see progress in that commission and we will review the progress before making any further decisions.

“I thought that was the policy of the Conservative Party, who supported the commission.”

Mr Cameron suggested the Prime Minister was “losing touch with reality” and reminded him of Ms Alexander’s challenge to the SNP over a referendum to “bring it on”.

The Tory leader asked, “What else could that possibly mean? So do you agree with her or not?”

But again Mr Brown refused to endorse a referendum.

Deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said, “Wendy Alexander’s position is now completely untenable.

“At a stroke Gordon Brown has destroyed her leadership. This is a disastrous Grand Old Duke of York double act—Wendy marches Labour to the top of the hill and Gordon marches them down again.

“On national television on Tuesday night Wendy Alexander clearly said ‘yes’ when asked if Gordon Brown endorsed her position on an independence referendum.

“Yet at Prime Minister’s Questions Gordon Brown refused to endorse Ms Alexander’s position—denying even that she had called for a referendum, which flies in the face of all reality.

“The last vestiges of Wendy Alexander’s credibility are in tatters.

“Whatever Wendy Alexander’s future, the Labour Party cannot possibly U-turn on the U-turn. They are politically signed up to supporting the SNP’s referendum Bill in 2010.”

Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie said, “Gordon Brown has just delivered a massive vote of no confidence in Wendy Alexander.

“This is the further proof that the extraordinary situation of a Labour leader wanting to introduce a bill designed to break up Britain was nothing more than a panic measure in the face of electoral meltdown.

“It wasn’t thought through, it wasn’t planned and it has ended up getting Alex Salmond his referendum.

“This is not leadership.

“It is a shambles, one for which a broken Labour party only has itself to blame. The incompetence of Wendy Alexander and Gordon Brown has put the United Kingdom at risk.

“They cannot be trusted with devolution.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said, “It is clear that there is utter chaos at the top of the Labour Party. The Prime Minister has completely failed to support Wendy Alexander’s call for an immediate referendum.”

But last night Ms Alexander insisted she and Mr Brown were in agreement.

“The Prime Minister and I are agreed about exposing the hollowness of the SNP’s position, claiming they favour independence, yet wanting to hold a referendum in only 2010 or 2011.

“David Cameron is wrong. His question showed his continuing lack of understanding of the process. The Prime Minister was right to say no one was proposing a referendum at Westminster.

“The procedures of the Scottish Parliament mean that even if the SNP or anyone else introduced a Bill at Holyrood it could take up to 12 months to be considered.

“As the Prime Minister said, the Calman Commission has been set up to review devolution and we will continue to review its progress.”

David Cameron last night accused Gordon Brown of treating the public “like fools” and wrote to the PM calling on him to explain his comments.

In his letter he quoted Ms Alexander as saying “I don’t fear the verdict of the Scottish people”, “We shouldn’t delay until the fag end of this parliament,” “Bring it on” and “It’s time for them (the SNP) to put up or shut up.”

The letter continued, “Today you denied she had called for a referendum now. Perhaps then you could explain what she meant by all this?

“Anyone who listened to Wendy Alexander’s remarks could be in no doubt that she meant a referendum should be held—and it shouldn’t be delayed. To pretend otherwise is once again treating people like fools.”

In a reply to Mr Cameron Mr Brown wrote, “Your letter from earlier today and your comments at Prime Minister’s Questions clearly show that you do not understand this important issue relating to Scotland and the Union.

“Today you suggested there were plans to have a referendum now.

“As Wendy Alexander has said this afternoon, there is nobody seeking legislation at Westminster to have a referendum.

“The procedures of the Scottish Parliament mean that even if the SNP or anyone else introduced a Bill at Holyrood it would take up to 12 months to complete.

“Wendy Alexander and I are agreed that all parties in favour of the Union have a duty to expose the hollowness of the SNP’s position—claiming they favour independence yet wanting to postpone any referendum. I thought the Conservative Party would welcome such an approach.”