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Sturgeon accused of divisive rhetoric for saying 'I detest Tories' Sturgeon accused of divisive rhetoric for saying 'I detest Tories'
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Nicola Sturgeon: "I detest the Tories and everything they stand for"Watch: Nicola Sturgeon: "I detest the Tories and everything they stand for"
Watch: Nicola Sturgeon: "I detest the Tories and everything they stand for"Watch: Nicola Sturgeon: "I detest the Tories and everything they stand for"
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of using divisive rhetoric after she said "I detest the Tories" in a BBC interview.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of using divisive rhetoric after she said "I detest the Tories" in a BBC interview.
She made the comment on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg when asked if she would prefer a Labour or a Tory prime minister.She made the comment on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg when asked if she would prefer a Labour or a Tory prime minister.
Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi called her language "dangerous". Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi told the programme her language was "dangerous".
But some SNP politicians have defended her remarks as they gathered for their party conference.But some SNP politicians have defended her remarks as they gathered for their party conference.
Addressing whether she would prefer a Labour or Tory government, Ms Sturgeon said: "I detest the Tories and everything they stand for so it's not difficult to answer that question." Ms Sturgeon hit out at the UK government's continuing opposition to granting Scotland another vote on independence.
Mr Zahawi - the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - told the programme: "I think that language is really dangerous." Asked by Laura Kuenssberg if Prime Minister Liz Truss was a friend or foe, Ms Sturgeon said they were "political opponents" but she "would like to be a friend on the basis of the areas we can work together constructively".
However, when asked if she would prefer a Labour or Tory government, Ms Sturgeon said: "I detest the Tories and everything they stand for so it's not difficult to answer that question."
Mr Zahawi - the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - told the same programme: "I think that language is really dangerous."
He said he preferred to work with his colleagues in Scotland on delivering projects.He said he preferred to work with his colleagues in Scotland on delivering projects.
At the party's conference, senior SNP politicians have attacked the Conservative government and its policies in speeches. Sturgeon says she won't give up on independence
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At the party's conference, senior SNP politicians have attacked the Conservative government and its policies.
Some Conservative politicians have now criticised Ms Sturgeon, accusing her of stoking divisions for political ends in Scotland.Some Conservative politicians have now criticised Ms Sturgeon, accusing her of stoking divisions for political ends in Scotland.
In a tweet, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, said the comment was "clearly a rhetoric-raising strategy" ahead of her speech to the SNP conference on Monday.In a tweet, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, said the comment was "clearly a rhetoric-raising strategy" ahead of her speech to the SNP conference on Monday.
Conservative MP Andrew Bowie also tweeted to suggest the language was no way to win over voters who voted against Scottish independence in the 2014 referendum.Conservative MP Andrew Bowie also tweeted to suggest the language was no way to win over voters who voted against Scottish independence in the 2014 referendum.
While Ms Sturgeon said she would favour a Labour government to a Tory government, she told Laura Kuenssberg: "Being better than the Tories is not a high bar to cross right now. And Conservative MSP Annie Wells wrote in a tweet that the use of "detest" was "irresponsible language" from someone in Ms Sturgeon's position.
"I think we need to see more of a radical alternative from Labour rather than just a pale imitation. When asked if he detested the Tories, Deputy First Minister John Swinney told Channel 4 News he "had no stomach for the Tories whatsoever".
Pressed on whether "detest" was the right word to use, Ms Swinney repeated his earlier comment.
While Ms Sturgeon said she would favour a Labour government to a Tory one, she told Laura Kuenssberg that "being better than the Tories is not a high bar to cross right now".
She said: "I think we need to see more of a radical alternative from Labour rather than just a pale imitation.
"If you're asking me do I think either a Westminster Tory government or a Westminster Labour government are good enough for Scotland, then my answer to that is no.""If you're asking me do I think either a Westminster Tory government or a Westminster Labour government are good enough for Scotland, then my answer to that is no."