Sturgeon accused of 'complacency' ahead of local elections

Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross has accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of “complacency” ahead of upcoming council elections, after the SNP tried to exclude print media journalists from its council election campaign launch.

The controversy came after journalists were emailed by the SNP press office, highlighting a launch event in Glasgow on Friday, but with no time or location. When journalists inquired about attendance, they were told that only broadcast journalists would allowed entry.

Party staffers claimed the campaign launch, as it was described in the email, was not actually a campaign launch, and was a “cost of living visit”.

The First Minister was subsequently accused of “dodging scrutiny” by journalists and opposition politicians.

In a press conference held to coincide with Sturgeon’s visit to Glasgow, Ross said: “I’ve just heard it was a space issue, which simply begs the question why she didn't chop off the bottom of the doors to make it a bit more accessible. That would have been an option I'm sure for her.

“I understand it's the usual SNP press conference that you've missed, all about how terrible the Prime Minister is, how terrible the Tories are, how she doesn't have enough powers, all about independence, and a wee bit about how not to build ferries and waste a quarter of a billion pounds of taxpayer money.”

Journalists from The Herald and the Scottish Sun turned up uninvited, and were able to speak with the First Minister.

Speaking to The Herald, Sturgeon said: “I don't think any of that is true. Because of the tightness of the space in there, we didn't invite people in there because there's limited space, but this is a public pathway, you are here. So clearly, I'm not avoiding the press.

“I think probably if you go back over the last couple of years, in particular, I'll have answered more questions from the press than any other politician in the entirety of the UK, which is right because that's my job.

“So this is not our manifesto launch as I saw a lot of journalists allege this morning that it was, our manifesto launches next week when you will be welcome to attend. I'll be doing the Glasgow manifesto launch tomorrow, which I think press are welcome to attend. So it just doesn't be any real scrutiny.”