John Swinney says he ‘regrets’ language that was ‘not worthy of me’

John Swinney has said that he “regrets” the language he used during a row with a Labour MSP, adding it was “not worthy of me”.

The First Minister appeared to row back on his remarks to Mark Griffin earlier this week when he told him to “find something else to moan about” during a debate on affordable housebuilding.

However, during First Minister’s Questions, Mr Swinney again accused Labour of “whinging” as Anas Sarwar attacked the SNP leader about the levels of child homelessness in Scotland.

The Scottish Labour leader said: “When a member of this Parliament raised the issue of homeless children, John Swinney shamefully told them, and I quote, ‘to find something else to moan about’.

“In a damning assessment, Shelter Scotland called John Swinney’s plan a ‘programme for homelessness’. Does he think they should find something else to moan about?”

Mr Swinney replied: “I may have used language that was particularly not worthy of me.

“So, if I have done that, and people are concerned about that, then of course I regret if I have used language that has not been appropriate for the way I go about my business.”

He said that the Scottish Government had delivered more affordable homes than other parts of the UK as he attacked Labour for abstaining on the Budget vote, which he said included £768 million for affordable housing.

He said that 20 councils in Scotland had reduced the number of children in temporary accommodation “because of the financial support put in place by the Scottish Government”.

Mr Swinney said: “It is all happening right now as we speak, with local authority temporary accommodation levels coming down because of investment in this government, investment that the Labour Party refused to support in the budget.

“So, they should not come here complaining about housing when they would not be prepared to just press a button to vote in favour of £768 million.

“No wonder I complain about the Labour Party whinging about things.”

Mr Sarwar criticised the comments and accused the SNP of having “no plan” to reduce the number of children living in temporary accommodation.

“John Swinney just exposed himself all over again,” he said.

“On Tuesday, saying, shameful, ‘find something else to moan about’ on homelessness, standing up and apologising for the bad language because that is not how he operates, and now complaining about whinging about homelessness.

“Shelter Scotland called it a programme for homelessness – and he should wake up and listen to what they have to say.”