The Scottish Government's bid to introduce a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol has been defeated after opposition parties failed to back the proposals.

Minimum pricing had been proposed by the Scottish National Party (SNP) and received the support of a range of groups, such as the British Medical Association (BMA), the police and UK medical officers. SNP member of the Scottish Parliament Michael Matheson said: "There were no arguments put forward that justify the opposition's decision to vote down minimum pricing and no alternatives presented. Their arguments were inconsistent and ineffective.

"The point of minimum pricing is to tackle alcohol consumption and to improve our health and wellbeing, it is to help individuals and their families and to support those working in our health and support services." However, Scottish Conservative Party health spokesperson Mary Scanlon said: "There is simply no political support for the SNP's blanket minimum pricing. These plans would penalise responsible drinkers, harm the Scotch whisky industry, cost jobs and is probably illegal."

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Ross Finnie added: "We must now concentrate on the public health aspects of the Bill. Liberal Democrats support the provisions for banning irresponsible promotions and ensuring that 'Challenge 25' is mandatory for all retailers."