CAMPAIGN ON YOUR 18 YEARS IN OFFICE SWINNEY.. NOT INDY

PM says FM is embarrassed by his record

- BY CHRIS MCCALL

KEIR Starmer has accused John Swinney of “insulting the intelligence” of Scots after the SNP leader launched his latest push for independence.

The Prime Minister claimed last night it was “blindingly obvious” why the Nationalists wanted to focus on the constitution ahead of next May’s Holyrood election.

Speaking to Scottish journalists in Downing Street, Starmer challenged the First Minister to talk about his record on devolved issues such as the NHS.

It comes after Swinney told the SNP conference in Aberdeen earlier this month his party would have a clear mandate to hold a second referendum if it won a majority of MSPs at the next election.