ANAS Sarwar was left red-faced after trying to blame a Scottish Government coronavirus announcement for forcing Scottish Labour to postpone their manifesto launch.
The Scottish Labour leader claimed the party had to cancel their programme launch on Tuesday due to an “unscheduled” announcement by the Government on Covid-19 restrictions.
The virus announcement had in fact been planned for weeks and the gaffe allowed the SNP to suggest Labour’s manifesto was being “hurriedly rewritten to try to prop up a campaign that has so far failed to take on the Tories".
During an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday Show, Sarwar said that the original launch had been planned for last Monday but was cancelled due to a halt in campaigning after Prince Phillip’s death.
He said they had planned to move to this coming Tuesday April 20 but there was "an unscheduled Scottish Government statement now on Covid, despite us seeking clarification from the government on that".
However, the First Minister hit back and pointed out the briefing had been scheduled for weeks as a precursor to restrictions lifting on April 26 – and she had mentioned it during an announcement on April 6.
The SNP added that the announcement had been put in place before the election campaign had kicked off.
Labour's manifesto launch has now been pushed back to Thursday.
Sturgeon hit out at the Labour leader on Twitter. She wrote: “Tuesday’s Covid briefing isn’t unscheduled (last Tuesdays was). It has been scheduled for weeks - indeed, those watching the briefing I did on 6 April would have heard me signal it.”
The National checked the First Minister’s statement during the April 6 briefing, and can confirm she said: “Now, if we do continue to keep the virus under control, as I hope we will, we expect to be able to make further, more significant changes on April 26.
“I hope to confirm these changes – which would include a full reopening of retail and the first phase, a quite significant first phase, of the reopening of hospitality. I hope to be able to confirm that on 20 April.”
READ MORE: Scottish Labour delay manifesto launch due to Nicola Sturgeon's Covid briefing
Long-awaited restrictions that are due to ease from April 26 include the re-opening of indoor and outdoor hospitality, non-essential shops, click and collect, tourist accommodation, and libraries, galleries, and museums.
However, Sarwar doubled down and said that the party had been told not to expect an announcement this week.
He said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s own Minister told me that the ‘scheduled’ briefing this week had been brought forward to last week, so not to expect one.
“I want this campaign to be about ideas – not TV schedules – so we've moved again to ensure we don't clash with a public health announcement.”
Nicola Sturgeon’s own Minister told me that the “scheduled” briefing this week had been brought forward to last week, so not to expect one.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) April 18, 2021
I want this campaign to be about ideas - not TV schedules - so we've moved again to ensure we don't clash with a public health announcement https://t.co/RMcdN8NKRY
But social media users weren’t buying the excuse.
One wrote: “It’s just a fib to say it’s ‘unscheduled’ when it’s been on the books for weeks.”
Another added: “Nonsense, she said she was making announcements on the 20th.”
While one said: “Coronavirus pandemic isn't about schedules it's about giving information. Shows your unionism is more important than saving lives.”
A user said: “This guy wants the Scottish people to give him power and he can't even schedule his election manifesto launch. Is he not aware Covid has not gone just because there is an election?”
Another said simply: “I knew it was scheduled and I’m just an ordinary punter.”
READ MORE: Keir Starmer under fire after flying from London to Scotland for campaign visit
An SNP spokesperson said: "There is clearly a hurried rewrite of the Labour manifesto taking place to try and prop up a campaign that has so far failed to take on the Tories.
"The plans for Covid statements were set out before the election campaign, including that there would be a statement on Tuesday ahead of the planned re-opening of parts of the economy and society on the 26th April to confirm minister's decisions on whether the country can proceed to open up as planned and to provide the essential public health advice that accompanies such decisions."
It comes as Labour’s UK party chief Keir Starmer came under fire from the Scottish Greens after flying into Edinburgh Airport from London for a campaign visit to meet Sarwar.
Starmer was inundated with criticism on social media over his decision to fly north instead of using eco-friendly transportation, while the Greens questioned the party’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel