New Holyrood row erupts over the commissioning of an £88,000 desk

John Swinney, the SNP leader, described the decision to order the oak and sycamore desk as "indefensible". But a spokesman for the Scottish Parliament stressed that the piece would form the focus of the reception area and would be used by six people.

The Holyrood project is already two-and-half years behind schedule and will cost 300 million more than first forecast. Jack McConnell, the First Minister, admitted this week that the project was the most disappointing aspect of the devolution settlement.

The desk has been commissioned by the Holyrood Arts Group, tasked with finding works of art to grace the new building. Eleven metres in length, it will fill the reception area and will be made from Scottish sycamore and oak by artist David Colwell.

Last night, Mr Swinney said: "This is an indefensible and exorbitant price to pay for a single piece of furniture."

But Jamie Stone, a Liberal Democrat MSP and convener of the Holyrood Arts Group defended the commission. He said: "This is not your standard MFI or Ikea slot together desk, nor should it be. This is the main reception area feature for Scotland’s new Parliament building.

"To think of putting some cheap desk in Scotland’s showpiece building is unthinkable. The first thing people see on entering the building is the reception area and the desk."