A Labour minister has been accused of breaking ministerial rules by criticising plans for a cutback on the number of hospitals in Glasgow.

The Tories claim tourism, culture and sport minister Mike Watson was in "clear breach" of the ministerial code of conduct by being openly critical of plans for the Victoria Infirmary.

The hospital is due to be downgraded and Tory leader David McLetchie wrote to First Minister Jack McConnell to point out Mr Watson's unhappiness at the proposal.

But the charge was rejected by Labour who argued that Mr Watson, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, was entitled to voice his constituents' views.

Labour denied Mike Watson is in the wrong

The row flared up after a meeting where plans for the Victoria to lose its casualty department were attacked by supporters of the hospital.

The plan has been approved by Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm, who is a Cabinet colleague of Mr Watson.

Mr McLetchie claimed that as Mr Chisholm has endorsed the radical overhaul of Glasgow hospitals, Mr Watson was in breach of the ministerial code by openly criticising the plan.

The Tory leader pointed to part of the ministerial code which requires ministers to maintain a united front once a decision is reached.

'No code breach'

"Collective responsibility also means that once a decision has been announced, all the ministers are required to abide by it and defend it as necessary", says the code.

But Labour cited a section of the code which allows ministers to represent constituency views.

The code says: "Ministers are free to make their electors' views about constituency matters known to the responsible minister by correspondence, by leading a delegation, or by personal interview, provided they make clear they are acting as their electorate's representative and not as a minister."

The Labour spokesman said: "He is entitled to make his constituents' concerns known, and that is what he has done. Certainly he has not been in breach of the ministerial code."