SNP's John Swinney blasts Boris 'a clown' as he rallies Scotland for break with rest of UK

The SNP annual conference 2019 began on Sunday at The Event Complex Aberdeen and ends on 15 October. During the conference, Deputy Scottish First Minister John Swinney described Brexit under Boris Johnson as a “deadly farce” while calling for independence. He said: "Faced with the choice between Independence and the UK of Brexit and Boris Johnson, people are choosing independence. We will win our independence, and our better nation."

The SNP chief added: “Conference, the challenge that faces our nation became starker since we last met. Then, Brexit under Theresa May was a tragedy.

“Now, under Boris Johnson, it has quickly turned to a farce. Let’s get Brexit done – Do or die. That’s their slogan. That’s their whole plan.

“It is easy to lose sight amidst the buffoonery of the Prime Minister that Brexit under Johnston is not just a farce it is a deadly farce.

“Deadly for people relying on medicines to stay healthy. Deadly in the words of the UK Government’s own Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies who last week said people will die if the UK presses ahead with a no-deal.

“Take a moment to think on that. That wasn’t a campaign group or an opposition party indulging in rhetorical flourish. That was the UK Government’s most senior medical advisor.

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“I know the Leave campaign got a bit fed up with listening to experts. But to take a cavalier attitude to the significant warnings of a Chief Medical Advisor is – for Boris Johnson – surely a reckless step too far.”

Mr Swinney added: “Friends, I am responsible for the Scottish Government resilience response to Brexit and I have to level with you as I levelled with the country last week.

“We are doing everything in our power to mitigate the impacts of a no deal Brexit. We are straining every sinew, alongside councils, and police and so many others.

“Plans are being put in place to keep people safe. But I cannot stand here and tell you that everything is going to be alright. It is not. No deal will cost thousands of jobs, disrupt supplies of food and medicine, and destroy the most vital supply chains.

“Boris Johnson is a clown. But, no deal isn’t funny. It is deadly serious. No Deal will cost lives and no rational Prime Minister should contemplate inflicting it on this country.”

Nicola Sturgeon, who will take to the stage to give her keynote speech at the SNP conference in Aberdeen on Tuesday, wants a second independence referendum to be held towards the end of next year.

But progress appears to be stalling even further as legislation has yet to be passed at Holyrood, and Scotland’s First Minister does not yet have the required power from Westminster.

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Ms Sturgeon has also yet to detail how a ’Yes’ vote would translate into independence before the next Holyrood election on May 6, 2021.

She has also hinted at a cautious approach when writing her introduction for the SNP conference agenda.

The SNP leader wrote: “Support for independence – and for a referendum – is on the rise across Scotland. But we must also reach outwards and engage those who are not yet persuaded of the benefits of independence.”

Meanwhile, during her speech on Monday, the Queen reiterated the Government’s promise to leave the EU on October 31.

She set out the legislative agenda with a package of 26 bills including seven relating to crime and justice.

These include legislation to keep serious criminals in prison for longer, imposing tougher sentences on foreign offenders who return to the UK and provide better protection for victims of domestic abuse.

The Queen said: "New sentencing laws will see that the most serious offenders spend longer in custody to reflect better the severity of their crimes."