The SNP's named person scheme is a 'mess' and Labour would 'pause' it, says Scottish Labour leader.

Kezia Dugdale outlined her opposition to the implementation of the scheme in an interview with the Daily Mail. The Scottish Conservatives have accused her of hypocrisy after previously supporting the scheme.

Dugdale said: "This entire process has been an absolute mess and it has caused a lot of anxiety for parents. Parents have lost confidence in the named person scheme.

"We support the principle behind this policy, which was that the children at risk of falling through the cracks get the support they need. But the introduction of the policy has been botched by the SNP – from the communication of this policy to parents to the way legislation has been presented to parliament."

She continued: "A Labour government will pause the process and ask the Children’s Commissioner to carry out a full review, so that the concerns of parents can e addressed. If improvements are recommended then they will be implemented. The introduction of the scheme has been a shambles by the SNP and as a result of that, what we are forgetting is that we need to make sure children who need extra support get it. That should be a priority."

However, in 2013 in the Scottish Parliament, Kezia Dugdale said there was "a sense that a degree of ignorance is behind some people’s opposition to the named person element."

Dugdale’s recent comments have been criticised by both the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "This is a screeching u-turn from Labour, who can't seem to find consistency on anything at the moment.

"Only yesterday, they abandoned their ludicrous scheme to force the low-paid to queue up for a tax rebate, and now their leader has radically changed her mind on Named Person.

"You only have to look at the gushing quotes from Labour less than four months ago praising the named person scheme in the Scottish Parliament."

A spokesperson for the SNP said: "This policy is aimed at protecting children's well-being and is about supporting, not diminishing, the role of parents. It is widely supported by leading children's charities and welfare organisations, as well as by the Scottish Police Federation, who say it will 'help keep children safer' - and has also been upheld by the highest court in Scotland, including a ruling which said the policy had 'no effect whatsoever on the legal, moral or social relationships within the family'.

"The legislation was passed by 103 votes to 0 by the Scottish Parliament, which exposes the utter hypocrisy on this issue from Labour, who voted for the scheme, and the Tories, who abstained.

"The people who should be named and shamed on this issue are Kezia Dugdale and Ruth Davidson for their blatant opportunism and a shameful attempt to play politics with an issue which at its heart is about child safety."

Under the plans by the Scottish Government from 31 August, 2016 all children from birth to their 18th birthday will have a named person appointed to them. The named person will be appointed by local authorities and health boards.