Anas Sarwar “didn’t step back” from his calls for the Prime Minister to quit in a conversation between the two men on Thursday, the Scottish Labour leader has said.
Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Friday, Mr Sarwar joked he had taken the “nuclear option” by calling for Sir Keir Starmer to go, adding the pair spoke by phone on Thursday.
Mr Sarwar had said on Monday that the Prime Minister should quit in the wake of the scandal around the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
But the attempt to oust Sir Keir failed, with members of the Cabinet publicly backing the PM in the hours after Mr Sarwar’s statement.
Speaking on Friday about his phone call with Sir Keir, Mr Sarwar said: “It was a perfectly fair and reasonable conversation about how we make sure that we are focused on the election on May 7.
“He’s determined that he wants to deliver for the people of Scotland.
“I made very clear that I want a UK Labour Government demonstrating it’s delivering for Scotland, and I made clear that the choice in the election campaign is going to be between me and (First Minister) John Swinney.
“I didn’t step back from what I said, I stand by what I said and what I stated, but I’m looking to the future and the choice between me and John Swinney for this country.”
The event also saw Mr Sarwar restate his party’s support for nuclear energy, joking he had taken the “nuclear option” twice in the same week.
He added he felt “liberated” after calling for the Prime Minister to quit.
“Honesty is strength, not weakness,” he said when asked if he felt stronger in his position after Monday’s statement.
“We have seen dishonesty from this SNP Government time and time again.
“I feel liberated and energised for the election campaign ahead, because, for me, my first loyalty and my first priority is to my country, Scotland.”
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