Starmer 'fighting for his career' amid 'chaos' at Westminster, John Swinney says

John Swinney has contrasted his "reliable, experienced" leadership in Scotland with the "absolute chaos" in Westminster, where he said the Prime Minister is "fighting to save his own career".

With the Conservatives and the SNP calling for a vote of confidence in Sir Keir Starmer over his decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, the Scottish First Minister said "the whole Westminster Government has descended into absolute chaos".

He described Sir Keir as a "weak and desperate Labour Prime Minister fighting to save his own career rather than fighting for people in Scotland".

He was speaking ahead of campaigning in Edinburgh for the Holyrood elections in just over two weeks, with the SNP leader bidding to be returned as Scotland's first minister.

Mr Swinney said: "At a time when people are facing sky-high food costs, energy bills and petrol prices, they need a government that is focused on taking action to support them.

"Instead, they have a Westminster establishment that is engulfed in scandal and asleep at the wheel."

He added that "while Westminster stands by, the SNP will take action on the cost of living - with bold plans to bring down the cost of food in supermarkets, cap bus fares at £2 and provide more support to families with the cost of childcare".

Mr Swinney continued: "If am re-elected as first minister, I will be the reliable, experienced leader that people need during these tough times.

"I will take real action to support people, and will always put Scotland's interests first."

He added that Scotland "will always be an afterthought" to Labour and and Conservative governments at Westminster, where he said there is "never-ending chaos".

Mr Swinney said a majority for his party at Holyrood would "unlock the fresh start of independence" with the SNP leader having pledged to use such as a result to push for a second referendum.