THE gloves are off in the Scottish independence debate after the Yes campaign accused their pro-Union rivals of launching a smear campaign.

Former BBC chief Blair Jenkins has frequently spoken of the need keep the contest clean, but in a speech in West Lothian last night, the Yes Scotland director made repeated reference to "smears" from the Better Together camp.

He made no direct play of the controversial business background of key No campaign funder Ian Taylor, president of oil company Vitol, but said the Yes campaign's opponents "were largely funded by a Tory donor in the South who is not even eligible to vote here".

Questions have this week been raised about the businessman's personal £500,000 backing for the pro-Union campaign given the oil firm's controversial activities in Serbia, Iran, Iraq and Libya.

Mr Jenkins added: "Yes Scotland has support from people of all parties and, like myself, none. On our Board are Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens and Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party; we also have distinctive non-party voices like Pat Kane and Elaine C Smith; and of course, the formerly Labour but now formidably independent Dennis Canavan is our chair.

"Better Together says, falsely and again without producing any evidence, that we are part of a 'co-ordinated dirty-tricks campaign' "

But a spokesman for Better Together responded: "Perhaps the SNP campaign might want to condemn the dirty tricks rather than trying to make out that they are not taking place."

On the recent announcement of donations figures, Mr Jenkins said his camp wrote to their opponents in January seeking an agreement on timing of announcements – but were snubbed.

He added: "The differences extend into social media.

"Yes Scotland is significantly stronger on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Perhaps that's because we encourage discussion and invite questions."

Mr Jenkins accused his campaign's opponents of "a deafening silence on Tory welfare cuts" while defending Trident.

He said: "This is the essence of Yes versus No – hope versus fear; positive versus negative; the future versus the past."

In his speech, Mr Jenkins mentioned by name neither Ian Taylor nor his company.

Yesterday, Angus Robertson, Westminster leader of the SNP again demanded a return of Mr Taylor's money pending any investigation.

Mr Roberton said: "Alistair Darling is the Chair of the No campaign, and he can no longer remain silent on this growing scandal.

"I am awaiting a reply from Mr Darling to my letter calling on him to hand this donation back pending a full internal investigation into the circumstances of the donation.

"Mr Darling met Mr Taylor before this donation was made, so he bears personal responsibility for it. "