Labour disarray over an independence referendum has added fresh urgency to the work of a commission to examine the powers of Holyrood, opposition leaders claimed.
Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen said without that, there was a risk the debate on an independence referendum could become polarised between Labour and the SNP.
Mr Stephen, together with Tory leader Annabel Goldie and Labour leader Wendy Alex
ander, was involved in the establishment of the Calman Commission, which is to examine the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Stephen spoke out on the issue after Ms Alexander declared her support for an independence referendum, challenging the SNP to "bring it on".
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Stephen said: "In these circumstances it is more important than ever that the work of the Calman Commission progresses."
He added: "The Liberal Democrats have always believed in a federal solution, more devolution to Scotland, a stronger Scottish Parliament with more powers including tax-raising powers.
"Unless the work is done to develop that through the Calman Commission then I think we end up with a very polarised debate between Wendy Alexander and Gordon Brown on the one hand and Alex Salmond on the other, and given the popularity of Gordon Brown at the moment I worry about that."
Miss Goldie stressed her party was "totally behind the work of the commission". She argued this was vital to inform the debate on the constitution and said: "That's one of the reasons why it really is quite extraordinary that Wendy Alexander has jumped the gun in a sense, by I think in undermining the status of the commission."
And she said: "The outcome of that commission is very, very important to the informed debate that many people in Scotland want us to have."
Mr Stephen said that there were a "lot of people who are shocked at the events of the last week and who don't in any sense think that they have been good for the Labour Party". With Prime Minister Gordon Brown having failed to provide any public support for Ms Alexander's call for a referendum, the Liberal Democrat added: "It's a mess for the Labour Party."
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