THE Prime Minister has accused First Minister John Swinney of “insulting the intelligence” of the Scottish people on independence.

Sir Keir Starmer made the claim in the wake of the recent SNP conference where Mr Swinney’s outlined plans for the SNP to repeat its 2011 result by winning a majority at next year’s Holyrood elections — setting the bar for a second referendum.

Questioning Mr Swinney’s campaigning focus on the constitution, Sir Keir said: “He’s insulting the intelligence of the Scottish people.

“After 18 years in government he really needs to explain to you why he’s not running on his record.”

Defying Mr Swinney’s claims that a fourth term for the SNP would spell the end of his premiership, he vowed to lead Labour into another general election, adding: “I’m going to go to the country on the basis of what we’ve done for the country.

“You have to ask him why he doesn’t want to run the election on his record.

“Essentially, there’s a blindingly obvious reason for that, and that’s it’s an appalling record.”

SNP deputy leader Keith Brown hit back: “Keir Starmer’s reverse Midas touch even extends to his own political attacks, he points to waiting lists and police numbers, when waiting lists are falling in Scotland and rising in England, and Scotland has more police officers per head than Labour-run England and Wales.

“He even talks about Great British Energy, which has so far created 13 jobs in Aberdeen, compared to the 1,000 which were promised.

“This is a Prime Minister who just cannot get anything right.

“Once again, Keir Starmer is showing just how little he knows about Scotland.”