SNP calls for second independence referendum 'diversion tactic', PM says

Keir Starmer has said John Swinney’s call for a second independence referendum is a “diversion tactic”.

During a visit to the BAE shipyard in Govan, the Prime Minister addressed comments by Swinney that a second vote has “never been more important”.

Starmer accused the SNP of bringing up the referendum to “distract” from the party’s current record.

“Every time the record is poor, the same tool is pulled out. Which is, let’s talk about something else, let’s talk about a constitutional issue,” he told STV News.

It comes after Swinney said a second independence referendum “has never been more important, more urgent or more necessary”.

The First Minister said he was “determined” to see the SNP win a majority of seats at next May’s Holyrood election to achieve another vote.

Starmer was in