SNP 'rigs the odds' at bookmakers

The Scottish Nationalist Party faithful were clearly worried about the power of bookmakers in the run-up to the Glenrothes by-election. Those who like a flutter were presented with odds showing Labour favourite to win on Thursday.

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So, in an attempt to get things moving Alex Salmond's way, an email was sent to supporters urging them to bet £10 on an SNP win. The campaign was run by the fringe lobbying organisation, Mediawatch 2008. It said: "It is essential that everyone does this, as our intelligence indicates money is going into William Hill from Labour activists throughout the UK in order to make them bookies' favourite. If you have no previous experience of going into a betting shop then don't worry – they are most helpful."

The email was criticised by rival parties, not least because of the First Minister's former role as a tipster for the Glasgow Herald newspaper. David McLetchie, the former Scottish Conservative leader, said: "That notorious gambler Alex Salmond has been caught red-handed trying to rig the odds."

Yesterday, however, it did not appear to have worked. William Hill said it had taken no bets on an SNP victory in the first three days of this week and a single bet of £100 on Thursday. Yesterday, Ladbrokes cut the odds on a Labour win from 5/4 to even money, while the SNP's odds lengthened from 4/7 to 8/11. The SNP said: "It is the ballot boxes that will decide who wins."