ALEX Salmond was branded "devious", "cunning", "clever" and "manipulative" yesterday as he was accused of trying to rig the independence referendum and betray the people of Scotland.

The First Minister was also accused of attempting to foist a "rigged" referendum on Scotland in relation to the question, campaign expenses, the regulator and the franchise. While peers were due to begin scrutinising the Scotland Bill, they spent yesterday debating the legislation in relation to the two ongoing consultations launched by Westminster and Holyrood.

Lord Forsyth, the former Conservative Scottish Secretary, claimed the proposed referendum question – "do you agree Scotland should be an independent nation?" – was "absolutely rigged" and a "loaded question", which invited the answer yes.

He said what the Scottish Government was proposing was "not a referendum but the most expensive opinion poll in history", costing £10 million.

"So we have a rigged question, a rigged role for the regulator and rigged expenses and then on top of that... a rigged franchise."

In a jocular reference, the Conservative peer pointed out how there were only nine other countries where 16 and 17-year-olds voted, which included North Korea and Cuba. "Both of whom also have leaders who have high opinions of themselves," he quipped.

Lord Forsyth added: "It really is extraordinary ... the First Minister, looking at this consultation paper, has betrayed the trust put in him as First Minister and appears to be putting his party interest before his country's interest while posing as a champion of national interest."

Lord Foulkes, the former Scotland Office Minister, said the Scottish Government's proposed question was "fixed" and argued: "The question should be 'Should Scotland remain part of the UK, yes or no?'. That's the honest, sincere question."

He urged Unionists, devolutionists and federalists "not to be fearful of Salmond", describing him as "cunning, able, a gambler" but "not infallible".

There are no SNP members of the Lords but one peer, Lord Wigley, the former Plaid Cymru president, came to Mr Salmond's defence, saying the First Minister's critics were using "weasel words" about him.

Last night, a spokesman for the Mr Salmond said: "The referendum question couldn't be more clear, straightforward and fair; the only other question needed is what are the anti-independence parties scared of? They know they are losing the argument, and they are now scared stiff of losing the referendum."