Nicola Sturgeon: Ruth Davidson's current position doesn't command 'much respect or legitimacy'

Nicola Sturgeon has criticised former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson, saying her current position does not command “respect or legitimacy”.

Sturgeon was appearing at an Edinburgh Fringe event and was asked by host Iain Dale whether she “missed” the former Tory leader. 

Earlier this week, it was reported that Davidson, now a peer, intends to return to frontline politics in the event of a second independence referendum. 

Responding to Dale's question, Sturgeon said: “I don’t miss her, no. I think Ruth is very able, a great communicator. Ruth, frankly, has deserted elected office and that’s fine if she wanted to leave politics, but Ruth clearly wants to continue to have a political career.

“She wants to have all the easy bits of a political career, she just doesn’t want to have any of the scrutiny or accountability or have to bother with putting herself up for election. I don’t think that’s a position that commands much respect or legitimacy, frankly.”

Asked if she had seen her former mentor Alex Salmond recently or whether she intends to see him, Sturgeon replied: “Nope”.