John Swinney: Labour's treatment of Diane Abbott has been 'really unfair'
Speaking to Sky News while on a train for the opening of the Levenmouth rail link, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney described the situation with Ms Abbott as a "terrible shame".
Wednesday 29 May 2024 13:26, UK
Scotland's first minister has described Diane Abbott as a "distinguished" parliamentarian and said she has been "really badly treated" by the Labour Party
Veteran MP Ms Abbott has told Sky News that reports she will be barred from standing as a Labour candidate at this election are true.
However, later on Wednesday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Abbott had not been blocked from standing for his party, and no decision had been taken.
General election latest: Starmer denies Abbott has been barred from standing
Speaking before Sir Keir's latest comments emerged, John Swinney described the situation with Ms Abbott as a "terrible shame".
"I remember Diane Abbott when I was in the House of Commons all those years ago," he told Sky News while on a train for the opening of the Levenmouth rail link.
"A really distinguished, significant parliamentarian. The first black female member of parliament, who made an outstanding contribution to the House of Commons.
"So, I think she's been really badly treated. I think it's really unfair."
Mr Swinney was also questioned on a recent poll by Survation for True North, which put the SNP behind Scottish Labour.
If replicated come election day, the SNP could see their Westminster seats plummet to just 16.
The SNP won 48 seats at the last general election in 2019, but defections and a by-election have reduced its tally of MPs to 43.
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The drop in popularity comes amid an ongoing Police Scotland probe into the SNP's finances, which has seen former first minister Nicola Sturgeon arrested and released without charge and her husband Peter Murrell charged with embezzlement of party funds.
Mr Swinney admitted: "We've had a tough time for the last couple of years and that's bearing out in the polls.
"I'm just in the door - I've only been SNP leader for three weeks. I'm trying to build things back up. I've brought my party back together again. We're a united force and I've got a cohesive team working with me."
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Later on Wednesday, MSP Michael Matheson is expected to be suspended from Holyrood for 27 sitting days and lose his salary for 54 days over his £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.
Mr Swinney previously said he would not back the proposed sanction - which would be the harshest punishment ever handed to an MSP - after claiming the committee had been "prejudiced" against his "friend and colleague".
However, the SNP are facing defeat if opposing the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee recommendation after the Scottish Greens said they would back it.
Mr Swinney said he'd "never at any stage suggested" bringing forward an alternative proposition.
He added: "What I expressed was concerns about a process which I think brings parliament into disrepute."
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Before the proposed sanction was recommended, Tory MSP and committee member Annie Wells described Mr Matheson's defence as "riddled with lies, cover-ups and the need for us all to suspend our disbelief".
Mr Swinney said he would "accept what parliament decides", but stated: "In no other walk of life would it be tolerable for somebody on a disciplinary panel to prejudge the case."