Commenting on reports that SNP run Dundee City Council has withdrawn support from the event for the Dalai Lama in the city, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie MSP said:

"This is despicable. The SNP council seem to have been silenced by the Chinese Government.

"Earlier this week we discovered that the First Minister refused to meet the Dalai Lama, now one of his councils has withdrawn its support.

"Clearly the Chinese Consul General's recent visit has had a direct impact. Either the Dundee SNP leadership seem to have been easily nobbled or a ruling has been sent from Bute House by Alex Salmond. Either way the interests of the SNP have been put above human rights.

"Many ordinary SNP members will be disturbed that human rights abuses in Tibet and China have been relegated by the SNP leadership."