The Justice Minister  Kenny MacAskill has claimed to have had a terse exchange of words with Home Secretary Jacquie Smith over the UK Government's "regrettable" failure to agree a reform of firearms legislation.

"At our Firearms summit last year there was clear agreement that the current legislation is not fit for purpose. It needs to be comprehensively reviewed - not left in the confusing muddle that it currently is," MacAskill said. 

"Time and again I've told the Home Secretary that we either need action at a UK level, or the UK Government need to agree to devolve the legislation, to ensure that the law is able to better protect Scottish communities.

"In light of her refusal, once again, to agree to either I've reiterated my desire to pilot a simple, easy to understand licensing system for air weapons here in Scotland. It is clearly regrettable that she won't even agree to this."