Russell Findlay: Scottish Labour and Reform spat is ‘political tittle-tattle’

The ongoing spat between the Scottish Labour and Reform Scotland leaders is “political, tittle-tattle nonsense” the Scottish Conservative leader has said.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Reform Scotland leader Malcolm Offord clashed on a Channel 4 debate on Tuesday.

Lord Offord claimed that Mr Sarwar’s remarks about Reform Scotland’s ad campaign on immigration did “not square with you coming up to me at the start of this campaign, bouncing up to me in Paisley Town Hall and saying we need to work together, Reform and Labour, to remove the SNP”.

Mr Sarwar dismissed those claims as “nonsense”.

Speaking to the Press Association on Wednesday, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “I think this type of political, tittle-tattle nonsense is what turns people off about politics.

“We were on the same show last night trying to talk about taxation, trying to talk about the education system, NHS, the economy and all the other parties wanted to talk about was apparent discussions and deals that may or may not have happened. Who cares?

“And while those two are bickering amongst themselves to get a social media clip, I’ll continue holding John Swinney to account and people can see that.

“People can see the Scottish Conservatives who, yet again, are solid and reliable. There’s one party that knows how to take on the SNP, it’s the Scottish Tories, and if there’s one party that can be trusted in the union.”

Mr Findlay made the comments while meeting rural business owners in Stirling.

He also went canvassing in the area with Conservative candidate Stephen Kerr to encourage postal voters to vote for the party.

He said voters had a “secret weapon” in the peach ballot: “This is the beginning of the week that the postal votes are starting to land across Scotland, and we have to get the message out there… they’ve got a secret weapon arriving… and that is the peach ballot paper,” he said.

“No matter where you live in Scotland, that’s the key to stopping the majority that John Swinney arrogantly says he’s already got in the bag.

“So, use that peach ballot paper to back the Scottish Conservatives, to ensure that you’ll have a Parliament focused on the common sense, real issues that matter for people of Scotland, fixing the economy, increasing employment, increasing opportunities for young people, fixing the education system and cutting people’s income tax.

“For far too long, Scots have been paying far too much because of the SNP, and it’s time to put that into reverse.”

George Adam, SNP candidate for Paisley, said: “Russell Findlay knows that the Tories are also-rans at this election with his party trailing dismally in the polls.

“But with Anas Sarwar bouncing round other parties in his desperate attempt to get to Bute House, the real worry for Scottish voters is that the Tories could be part of a grubby deal which would give Nigel Farage influence in Scotland by the back door.

“We cannot risk giving Farage power in Scotland – and the only way to ensure he is locked out of power is by uniting behind John Swinney’s leadership and delivering a majority SNP Government that is on Scotland’s side.”