LUCY ADAMS and MICHAEL SETTLE

An unprecedented split in police pay between Scotland and England was confirmed yesterday, prompting claims the "unacceptable and divisive" move would put the Union under more stress and strain.

As exclusively revealed by The Herald, it was announced that Scottish police officers are to get a 2.5% pay award in full as recommended last week by independent arbitration.

However, Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, yesterday infuriated officers in England and Wales by confirming that she would effectively give them a 1.9% increase as their pay award will be staged and not backdated.

Police officers have demanded the right to strike in protest and at Westminster there was indignation at the Home Secretary's offer.

Conservative sources branded the way Ms Smith had treated the police as "shoddy". David Ruffley, the Shadow Police Minister, denounced the Secretary of State's leaked letter to Chancellor Alistair Darling, outlining her plans, as "a masterclass in ministerial cynicism".

He added: "Police officers beware: political spin is alive and well in Jacqui Smith's Home Office."

John Greenway, the Conservative MP for Ryedale in Yorkshire who served as a Metropolitan Police officer, said: "This will do the government absolutely no good to demonstrate once again the difference between the deal British taxpayers are funding in Scotland and what people have to put up with south of the border. It's simply unacceptable and entirely divisive."

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a Labour peer and former police chief, told The Herald: "It's wholly unfortunate and I fully understand the police's reaction. I would ask the government to have a rethink."

Earlier, Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary, said the pay award would be applied in full in Scotland and denied he intended to embarrass the Westminster Government by the announcement.

"Scotland's police officers have a vital role to play in protecting our communities and tackling crime and the fear of crime," he said. "Police officers have to do a difficult job, often in challenging circumstances. We want to ensure that they are paid appropriately for the job they do."

Les Gray, chair of the Strathclyde branch of the Scottish Police Federation, said they would be supporting colleagues south of the border.

He said. "We are delighted by the Justice Secretary's decision to stand up and support officers. Westminster should be ashamed of what they have decided south of the border and the federation will be holding meetings next week to look at the case for allowing officers to stage industrial action." However, it is currently a criminal offence for police to take industrial action.

Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the treatment of his colleagues was "absolutely disgusting" and he highlighted the contrast to what was happening in Scotland, where police officers will receive the full 2.5% backdated to September 1.

He said: "We are very pleased for them; unlike the Home Office the Scottish administration has acted with honour and demonstrated they understand the difficulties of modern policing and the restrictions on officers' lives."

The federation is calling an emergency meeting of its leaders in London next week, including representatives from Scotland.