The Scottish National Party  has refused to rule out tax rises in an independent Scotland, prompting political rivals to claim it had made a serious gaffe in its economic policy.

However, Jim Mather, the SNP's economics spokesman, said of the possible tax rise: 'There is no orthodoxy we will not challenge'. Mather also said raising income taxes would be 'naive'. 

Detractors said this went against the party line for a local income tax replacing council tax.

The Labour party savaged the comments, with Tony Blair saying Mather had revealed the true nature of the SNP's tax policy. 

Mather argued his comments had been 'badly misconstrued', The Scotsman reported.  He added that the SNP would actually reduce the overall tax burden by increasing revenues through an improved economy.

Further reading:

SNP pledges business tax cuts in election battle

Scottish National Party calls for Council Tax to be scrapped 

SNP urges corporation tax switch