TRASH TALK

SNP at war after Forbes accused of undermining Sturgeon in TV debate | Robison: Members will reject her for attack on government record

- PAUL HUTCHEON

CIVIL war has broken out in the SNP after Nicola Sturgeon's closest ally accused Kate Forbes of "trashing" the government and "undermining" the First Minister.

Furious Shona Robison said the leadership hopeful's criticisms of the government she serves in would see her rejected by party members.

The three-way contest between Finance Secretary Forbes, Health Secretary Yousaf and backbencher Ash Regan has blown-up following a stormy TV debate on Tuesday night.

In an astonishing attack on Yousaf during the STV debate, Forbes blasted his record in office, telling him: "You were a transport minister and the trains were never on time, when you were justice secretary the police were stretched to breaking point, and now as health minister we've got record high waiting times.

She also had a swipe at Sturgeon's government by saying "more of the same" would be an acceptance of "mediocrity".

The comments have sparked a furious backlash with Robison, a Yousaf backer and Sturgeon's Social Justice Secretary, telling us: "The record of electoral success based around the leadership that Nicola and John Swinney have provided would hardly be what it was if the public viewed it as mediocrity.

"If they thought that Nicola and John had been mediocre, and the record was mediocre, they wouldn't have voted for us.

"I just don't feel it will sit well with them [party members] and it will actually jar with them, any attempt to undermine that legacy.