Rishi Sunak addresses Tory members at the party conference in Manchester Photo: Stefan Rousseau/AFP
Rishi Sunak ridiculed the SNP's legal problems because he claimed the UK Government had sent enough extra money to Holyrood to pay for “28,000 caravans”.
Speaking to Scottish Tory activists at the Tory conference on Sunday, the Prime Minister also vowed to defy the polls and “defeat” the nationalists at the next election.
He also criticized Sir Keir Starmer, saying the Labor leader “cares more about North London than the North Sea.”
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is embroiled into an investigation into party finances, during which Nicola Sturgeon, her husband Peter Murrell and former party treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested.
All three were released without charge while the investigation continues. Ms Sturgeon has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and Mr Murrell and Mr Beattie have yet to publicly comment on the investigation.
An SNP-owned caravan was seized by police from Ms mother-in-law's driveway Sturgeon and confiscated. Ms Sturgeon declined to comment on when she first learned of the car, which is said to have cost more than £100,000 when purchased.
“We stand by Scotland more than ever before,” Mr Sunak told a Scottish Conservative conference reception party in Manchester.
“In our last autumn statement we announced £1.8 billion in additional UK funding.” The government is going to replenish the Scottish budget. But in terms Nicola Sturgeon understands, that’s 28,000 motorhomes.”
He praised the Scottish party for its work to “hold these independence fighters to account” and said Britain was “undoubtedly the most successful political union in the world”, telling Scottish party members: “Keep fighting and we are going to move forward.” and defeat this party in the next general election.”
An SNP spokesman said: “This is a humiliating attempt by the Prime Minister to divert attention from the truth we all know – that the Tories are finished and there is no way they can now be saved by the number of snide remarks or arrogant comments.
“From being pulled out Scotland out of the EU through a Brexit we didn't vote for, to undermining Scotland's net-zero emissions ambitions and forcing Scottish households to pay the price for catastrophic economic mismanagement – Rishi Sunak has the neck of bronze to pretend he knows or cares about the interests of Scotland.”
In his strongly worded address, Mr Sunak continued to criticize the Labor Party for wavering in its support for the North Sea oil and gas industry. Mr Sunak has backed dozens of new oil and gas developments, including the Rosebank field off Shetland.
The Scottish National Party opposes continued development of Rosebank, while Labor has said that although they are not support new drilling, they will not revoke licenses already issued if they come to power.
“The important thing is that we are of course protecting the jobs that depend on the North Sea oil and gas industry,” Mr. Mr Sunak. 'Keir Starmer is much more concerned about North London than the North Sea.'
Responding to Mr Sunak's comments, a Labor source said: 'While Sunak is making blind promises that will leave Scotland behind. “Only Labor has a plan to protect our oil and gas industry and seize the opportunity to create the next generation of clean jobs, lower bills and ensure energy security.”
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