Swinney: Iran ceasefire deal a chance to ‘step back from the brink’

The Iran ceasefire deal struck overnight is a chance to “step back from the brink”, First Minister John Swinney has said.

US President Donald Trump announced early on Wednesday morning he was suspending a proposed extension of the offensive in Iran to include attacks on bridges and power stations for two weeks after Tehran proposed a “workable” plan for a ceasefire, subject to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking during a visit to Stornoway in the Western Isles on Wednesday, the SNP leader said the deal could be a chance for “lasting peace”, as he urged the UK Government to offer more support for people struggling with increased energy prices as a result of the conflict.

“I welcome the fact that we have an opportunity to work for peace as a consequence of the steps that have been taken overnight, and I pay tribute to the countries that have contributed significantly to this, principally Pakistan, Oman and Egypt and, obviously, I welcome the engagement that has taken place,” he said.

“This is an opportunity to step back from the brink.”

People, he said, were “terrified” by the threats from President Trump on Tuesday when he said “a whole civilisation will die tonight”.

The First Minister added: “I welcome that different position that we now find ourselves in – we’ve got to seize this opportunity and work for lasting peace.

“We’ve also got to recognise that there is significant and enduring pressure on individuals in our own country because of the consequences of the conflict in Iran with rising energy prices, rising fuel bills, rising costs for a whole variety of different other costs as a consequence of this conflict, so the interventions from the UK Government are necessary to reduce the costs of living pressures that people are facing.”

Mr Swinney’s comments follow calls from his party’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, who pushed Downing Street to do more to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.

Downing Street pointed to changes which came into force last week as proof of action being taken to quell the increase in the cost of living, including the increase to the living wage and minimum wage and the drop in the energy price cap by 7%.

Speaking at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar welcomed news of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

He told the Press Association: “Unlike John Swinney, I won’t just point to somewhere else or a government somewhere else and say it’s for them.

“If I’m leading a government in Scotland, my government will take action.”