The SNP have said that Boris Johnson has been "rattled" by the First Minister taking his jobs for Scotland campaign to the heart of London this week.
Mr Johnson has let the Tories true colours show in disastrous fashion after claiming that the best way to create jobs in Stathclyde was to invest in Croyden.
Mr Johnson told the Huffington Post UK news website:
"I'm making the argument to the Treasury that a pound spent in Croydon is far more of value to the country than a pound spent in Strathclyde. You will generate jobs in Strathclyde far more effectively if you invest in parts of London."
The Tories extrovert London Mayoral candidate's blundering comment has been heavily criticised by SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, Convener of the Finance Committee.
He said:
"Scotland is ranked number one in the UK for inward investment in terms of job creation - and Boris knows this, so his silly comments only further highlight the facts, whether Boris likes them or not.
"He has given the game away and the mask has slipped, this is the true face of the Tory party now showing. Suggestion that you create jobs in Strathclyde by investing in Croydon is twisted logic only the Tories could come up with.
"The reality is Scotland's economy is outperforming the UK as a whole. Latest GDP figures show that under the Tory-led UK government's policies the UK has plunged into recession - whilst we have some positive indications in the Scottish economy, such as the recent drop in unemployment and this week's CBI Scotland Industrial Trends report showing business optimism in Scotland at an 18 month high.
"However we cannot escape the impact of the UK approach and more capital spending is vital to keep pushing jobs and recovery forward. We can't risk allowing Westminster to damage the recovery we are building in Scotland.
"The Scottish Government has already written to the Prime Minister with the list of 300 million pounds of 'shovel-ready' projects across Scotland to boost growth and support thousands of jobs.
"It is time for the Tories to recognise the compelling case for additional infrastructure investment to build sustained recovery - instead of putting forward extremely spurious arguments about helping Scotland by investing South East England.
"The actions of the Scottish Government and its agencies are paying dividends, and there have been very positive announcements recently - such as Gamesa's decision to bring their wind power manufacturing facility and 800 jobs to Leith, and GlaxoSmithKline's 100 million pounds expansion plans for sites in Montrose and Irvine."
