Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced sharp criticism from political opponents during a brief visit to Scotland, where he was accused of "skulking" and deliberately avoiding Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Starmer spent just two-and-a-half hours at the Faslane nuclear base on Saturday following the UK-France summit in Paris, marking his first trip north of the border since Sarwar called for his resignation in February. According to sources, the prime minister did not meet with Sarwar or any Scottish Labour colleagues who were campaigning for the upcoming Holyrood election.
First Minister John Swinney described the visit as "strange," questioning why a Labour prime minister would come to Scotland during an election campaign without joining party candidates. "It's almost as if the Labour Party is ashamed of the prime minister," Swinney remarked, adding that Starmer was a "failed" and "incompetent" leader who wouldn't last beyond the May 7 elections.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay was more direct in his criticism, stating: "It seems that Keir Starmer is skulking around a top-secret high security submarine base unable to face the public, unable to even look Anas Sarwar in the eyes. He's a busted flush who has lied to the public and to Parliament."
Sarwar maintained his position on Starmer's leadership while downplaying the significance of their failure to meet. "He's the prime minister of the UK and it's right that he makes a visit, particularly when it relates to defence," Sarwar said. "His job is to be prime minister and govern the country. My job is to lead a campaign and change the government here in Scotland."
The Scottish Labour leader acknowledged the personal pain caused by his call for Starmer's resignation but stood by his decision. "There's no point pretending there wasn't personal pain, but I did what I did and I stand by it," Sarwar stated, emphasizing that the election should focus on Scottish issues rather than national leadership.
Opposition leaders seized on the apparent rift within Labour. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton noted: "I'm not surprised Anas Sarwar doesn't want to be seen with Keir Starmer, who is mired in controversy." Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay added that the situation revealed the "ridiculous position that Labour are in" and demonstrated their division.
A Downing Street spokesman defended the visit, stating: "Following talks in Paris on the Strait of Hormuz, the prime minister visited Scotland for a defence and security trip to thank UK personnel for their dedication and service."
The Faslane base, located on the Gare Loch northwest of Glasgow, serves as home to all Royal Navy nuclear submarines, including the UK's four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines carrying Trident nuclear weapons.