Nicola Sturgeon calls Jeremy Corbyn ‘useless’ as she downplays ‘pact’ with Labour over backing for second referendum
- Jeremy Corbyn has fueled rumours of SNP pact by saying they ‘keep in touch’
- Claims they have done a deal for support in return for fresh independence vote
- First Minister Nicola Sturgeon branded the Labour leader ‘utterly useless’ today
Nicola Sturgeon called Jeremy Corbyn ‘utterly useless’ as she tried to play down the accommodation between the parties.
It came after Jeremy Corbyn fueled rumours over a ‘pact’ with the SNP today as he admitted that he ‘keeps in touch’ with Nicola Sturgeon.
The Labour leader said he last spoke to Ms Sturgeon around 10 days ago, insisting as leaders they had to speak regularly.
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald sparked a furious row yesterday by insisting Labour ‘will not stand in the way’ of a second Scottish independence referendum. Mr Corbyn later endorsed the remarks.
Ms Sturgeon, pictured at the Scottish Parliament, tried to play down the accommodation between the parties, branding Mr Corbyn ‘utterly useless’
Mr Corbyn was asked about the issue after he kicked off the Labour election campaign in Battersea this morning.
He said he had last spoken to Ms Sturgeon 10 days ago.
‘I do keep in touch with, obviously, political leaders around the country because that is what leading the party is all about,’ he said.
But speaking in the Scottish Parliament today, Ms Sturgeon said: ”I think the leaders of both UK parties are completely and utterly useless, and I don’t think they have got Scotland’s interests at heart.
‘That is one of the many reasons I think Scotland needs to be independent, so we can be a country at the top of the table in Europe, so we can invest Scotland’s wealth in our public services, in lifting children out of poverty, that is why I think Scotland should be independent and I am determined to give the people of Scotland that choice.’
Mr McDonald set hares running yesterday amid claims Mr Corbyn is already plotting to enlist the SNP’s help to get into power if the election produces a hung Parliament.
On a visit to Crawley Hospital in West Sussex last night, Mr Corbyn ruled out electoral pacts and said in the first ‘several years’ of a Labour government there would be £70billion invested into Scotland.
Jeremy Corbyn was asked about ties to the SNP after he kicked off the Labour election campaign in Battersea this morning (pictured)
But he added: ‘At a later stage, obviously under the terms of devolution, if the Scottish Parliament demands it, then there could be, at a much later stage, a referendum.
‘I make it very clear, we are against Scottish independence and we are certainly not in favour of any referendum in Scotland any time soon.’
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: ‘The election has barely begun and Jeremy Corbyn is already flirting with the SNP – bowing to their attempts to break up Britain in exchange for their support.’