Nicola Sturgeon MSP told an audience at the Edinburgh Fringe that Keir Starmer “lacks values” and that he should “grow a backbone”.
The former First Minister appeared in Edinburgh at Iain Dale’s All Talk show.
It is her first interview since she formally resigned as First Minister on 28 March.
Sturgeon said: “What’s the point in a Labour Party that is just a pale imitation of the Conservatives?
Read More: Nicola Sturgeon says she is “innocent of any wrongdoing” in public statement: Nicola Sturgeon tells Keir Starmer to “find some backbone” in first post-resignation interview“Every time Keir Starmer opens his mouth right now, he seems to be agreeing [with them] and reducing the difference between them.
“You’ve got to stand for something in politics, or what’s the point of you?
“Find some backbone, would be my message to Keir Starmer right now.”
Sturgeon also said that Scottish Labour were not doing enough for Scottish people, stating that Welsh Labour – who are in government in Wales – were more successful in “standing up for the Welsh Assembly and [in] call[ing] out [the UK government] in a way that Scottish Labour never finds the ability to do.”
Read More: Humza Yousaf appointed SNP leader, to be Scotland’s next First Minister: Nicola Sturgeon tells Keir Starmer to “find some backbone” in first post-resignation interviewPrior to the interview, Dale spoke on stage about growing speculation on social media that the only reason Sturgeon had agreed to the interview was because she had made “demands” about the kinds of questions that would be asked.
He stated: “There has been no communication between Nicola and myself, or her team and myself, of that nature.
“I am free to ask whatever I like, but given the [police] investigation is ongoing we have got to respect the legal system.”
Much of the interview was spent focusing on the ongoing Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s finances.
Sturgeon would not comment on the investigation due to it being an ongoing legal process but added: “My touchstone in all of this is that I feel confident in my position.
“I’m absolutely certain that I’ve done nothing wrong, therefore I need to – and do – trust the process.
“The police are doing their job, and therefore I have to have faith that everything they’re doing in the process of that is justified.”
She also said she “categorically” did not know that she would be arrested or questioned by the police before she stepped down as First Minister, adding that she only found out “as it was happening.”
Image ‘Scotland welcomes refugees’ by First Minister of Scotland is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
