NICOLA Sturgeon has called for people to "dial down the hate" following remarks from Labour leadership hopeful Emily Thornberry's where she claimed she hated the SNP

The First Minister said that Labour was "out of touch" and looked like "lost souls" when it came to Scotland.

Thornberry opened herself up to backlash yesterday at a Labour leadership hustings after being asked whether she agreed that the SNP's record in government was "bad".

Thornberry said: "I hate the SNP. I hate the SNP."

The National: Emily Thornberry

The audience laughed and clapped. She continued: "I think they're Tories wrapped up in nationalist clothing.

"I think they pretend to be on the left and they're not on the left."

Sturgeon has since responded to Thornberry's comments, describing them as "clueless". 

She said: "I think, generally speaking, hate is not a good emotion in politics or anywhere else.

"Particularly perhaps in the world and the climate we live in now, I think all of us should maybe try and dial down the hate a little bit.

"But more generally I think Labour look like lost souls when it comes to Scotland and perhaps they should consider – I don’t know whether they ever do consider – how that kind of statement sounds to people in Scotland who, in such large numbers, vote SNP and think the SNP is the party most progressive and best able to meet their interests and needs. 

"It just makes Labour sound out of touch and clueless about what Scotland wants and needs."