Trump’s remarks about the Pope ‘utterly deplorable’, Swinney says

Donald Trump’s attack on the Pope is “completely and utterly deplorable”, John Swinney insisted, as he condemned again the “illegal” attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.

The First Minister stressed his “continuing deep concern” about the crisis in the Gulf, with the US now seeking to blockade Iranian ports, including the crucial Strait of Hormuz, which vital supplies of oil and gas travel through.

Difficulties in getting supplies out of the area have seen prices for petrol and diesel rise in Scotland and across the UK – with Mr Swinney calling for “immediate action” from Westminster to address the domestic impact of the conflict.

But speaking to the Press Association during a Holyrood election campaign visit to an outdoor nursery in West Lothian, Mr Swinney also condemned the US president’s remarks about Pope Leo – with Mr Trump insisting the head of the Catholic Church was “weak”.

He demanded the Pontiff, who has spoken out against the conflict in Iran, should “stop catering to the Radical Left”.

Mr Trump added: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”

Mr Swinney said: “I think the president’s comments are just completely and utterly unacceptable.

“The Pope is a figure of peace, he argues for the message of the gospel and the message of the Christian faith, which is about the pursuit of peace.

“Pope Leo has contributed enormously to the debate about seeking peace, about avoiding conflict, about valuing human life, and for him to be spoken about in the way Donald Trump has done so is completely and utterly deplorable.”

Mr Swinney’s comments came as he again insisted that the action against Iran by the US and Israel is both “unwarranted” and an “illegal intervention”.

Speaking about the implications the conflict is having for people in Scotland, with the “damaging impact of the cost of living”, the First Minister went on to again demand action from the UK Government.

He stated: “The actions of the United States in blockading the Strait of Hormuz, or the action of Iran in jeopardising the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable.

“What is important is ensuring there is every effort placed on ensuring this conflict is resolved, so that the already significant impacts that are being felt by people in their bills, in the cost of fuel, in the cost of petrol, is curtailed so that people are not suffering in the way we can see is the case.

“And it merits an immediate response from the United Kingdom government, because people are struggling to meet their energy costs and their needs to be action from the UK Government, to set a lower price cap for energy, to reduce the cost and duty on fuel, and to make sure that people are supported through this very difficult situation.”

Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday that international leaders will gather in Paris at the end of this week in an effort to come up with a plan to ensure the Strait of Hormuz can remain open to shipping after the Middle East war ends.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron will co-host the summit, which is taking place on Friday.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international  shipping once the conflict ends.”

Meanwhile, a new Westminster Cabinet committee has been established to deal with the fallout from the Iran conflict.

The Middle East Response Committee was having its first meeting on Tuesday to consider the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping route vital for global oil and gas supplies.