John Swinney tears into 'weak man' Anas Sarwar at FMQs
After asking two questions about bus maker Alexander Dennis planning to move its operations to England, Sarwar swiftly moved on to talk about an alleged secret meeting of SNP figures which reportedly focused on ousting Swinney as leader following a key by-election loss.
Sarwar accused Swinney of pressing the "big panic independence button" to "save his skin", after the First Minister made a speech on his desire for self-determination this week.
Swinney described Sarwar's attacks as a "the performance of a weak man" in Parliament.
He said: "Isn't it interesting that Mr Sarwar's interest in the workers of Alexander Dennis lasted two questions and then he gets on to his usual posturing in this Parliament of little substance that is before us.
Watch as John Swinney call Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar a 'weak man' following a fiery exchange at FMQs 🔥
🗣️ 'He's toadying behind the Labour leader in the United Kingdom' pic.twitter.com/gysdhKHm5D — The National (@ScotNational) June 19, 2025
"That's the performance of a weak man in front of Parliament today.
'I'll tell Mr Sarwar what I've been doing this week – presiding over a government that's delivered for the 10th year in a row Scotland at the top of the list of inward investment successes in the United Kingdom other than London and the South East.
"We've seen a rise in positive destinations for school leavers. We have confirmed this week that we will scrap the two-child cap, ensuring 20,000 children will be lifted out of poverty.
"In the same week as we commit ourselves to lifting the two-child cap, Anas Sarwar is toadying in behind the Labour leader in the United Kingdom to send 50,000 children into poverty with a welfare reform bill.
'Scotland can see that Anas Sarwar is linked to a UK Labour government that will put more children into poverty, while my Government will lift children out of poverty. That's the Scottish Government delivering for our people.'
More to follow.
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