Gordon Brown has been told he cannot play the devolution “dictator” ahead of his leading a debate on the issue atWestminster.
The former Prime Minister has slammed plans to transfer full control of income tax to Holyrood branding them “a Tory trap” but senior figures in the Conservatives last night hit back over the issue.
Scotland Office Minister David Mundell questioned whether his views were shared by Labour’s leadership, a senior UK Government figure told him he had to constructively “engage” in the cross-party Smith Commission and a backbench MP said the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath representative was on the wrong side of public opinion north and south of the border.
Mr Brown was credited with kicking Better Together into life as the independence campaign neared its close but his interventions since the referendum have been divisive. He will lead a half-hour adjournment debate at Westminster tonight.
In his submission to the Smith Commission, which will take forward plans for the transfer of further powers north of the border, Mr Brown says Holyrood should be responsible for raising 54% of its revenue.
However, he has strongly rejected the idea of English votes for English laws at Westminster, which would prevent Scottish MPs voting on key parts of the Budget.
Scottish shadow finance minister Iain Gray and shadow pensions minister Gregg McClymont will represent Labour on the Smith Commission and shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran recently appeared to distance herself from Mr Brown’s position.
Mr Mundell praised Mr Brown’s contribution to the referendum campaign but added he does not “see any logic to his position on income tax.”
Scotland’s sole Tory MP said: “I found it incredible to hear him saying we had broken a promise because we went further than he has and brought forward the Command Paper earlier than his timetable.
“He has got an important contribution to make but he is not the Prime Minister he was when he led a command and control government. Just because he says something doesn’t mean it is going to pass.”
He added: “Obviously the Labour Party could have put him on the commission if they thought he was offering their definitive view.”
A No 10 insider added: “He (Mr Brown) can’t be the great dictator. He needs to engage.”
Wokingham MP John Redwood, one of the most vocal in support of English votes for English laws, said he and his fellow Conservative backbenchers backed extensive devolution for Scotland.
However, he said that meant Scottish MPs should not vote on matters that only impact on England.
Mr Redwood said: “I find it rather odd Mr Brown has put himself on the wrong side of public opinion not only in England but in Scotland as well.
“If Mr Brown is an official spokesman for (Labour leader Ed) Miliband then his views carry some weight. If he wishes to pursue a conflict with Mr Miliband, I’m not going to discourage him.”
The Courier asked for an interview with Mr Brown but the request was denied.