SNP LEADER Alex Salmond was last night accused of pandering to “homophobia” by accepting a £500,000 donation from an anti-gay businessman.

The SNP yesterday confirmed that Brian Souter, who financed a high-profile campaign to keep Section 28, which banned “promoting” homo-sexuality in schools, was bankrolling their election hopes with a cheque for £500,000.

Salmond was immediately criticised by gay rights campaigners and was called on to clarify his party’s view on equality issues.

He added that the SNP recently backed the right of Catholic adoption agencies to turn away gay couples and said the Nationalists pointedly snubbed a gay rights debate in January.

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