Glasgow City Council’s leader has been accused of “breathtaking hypocrisy” over Sauchiehall Street funding, by a Conservative MSP.

Susan Aitken had criticised the UK Chancellor for finding £2m in the budget for Belfast following a devastating fire but nothing for Glasgow following the Victoria’s and Art School fires.

A political row has broken out over the Belfast cash and how Glasgow should fund further efforts to support traders in Sauchiehall Street.

Adam Tomkins, Conservative MSP for Glasgow has responded by writing to Ms Aitken stating she was looking for a “villain to blame”.

While Ms Aitken said Mr Tomkins doesn’t understand the City Deal.

He said the comments were “unsavoury, political point scoring” and the City Deal projects could be repurposed to take account of the fires.

Mr Tomkins wrote: “As Glasgow emerges from the aftermath of two devastating fires in less than six months, elected representatives should consider how the City Deal can be used to facilitate the long-term regeneration of Sauchiehall Street and the surrounding area, not casting about for a villain to blame. “

Sauchiehall Street improvements, which started before the fires, is funded with £7.2m of City Deal cash.

Mr Tomkins said Ms Aitken attacked the UK Government over Belfast but then praised the City Deal. He said was “breathtaking hypocrisy”.

He added: “The reality is that Glasgow City Council has considerable City Deal funding at its disposal.”

The SNP said Mr Tomkins is a “cynical opportunist”.

A source said: “From virtually the day this disaster hit the city, Adam Tomkins has sought to exploit it for political gain..”

Ms Aitken said said: “Mr Tomkins recently needed a two-hour briefing on the City Deal and, evidently, still doesn’t understand it.

“The City Deal is not a piggy bank. It is a programme of costed projects – agreed in great detail with two governments.

“Mr Tomkins needs to explain which project he wants to scrap to replace the cash the UK Government is happy to provide to other cities with their own City Deal.

“The communities around Sauchiehall Street need all tiers of government to be in their corner – not telling them they’ve already had enough help.”