Connery Summit with Sturgeon As Swinney Slams Backstabbers; Russell to Stand for Leadership

Summary

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Sir Sean Connery has stepped into the SNP leadership contest, vetting Nicola Sturgeon in a private meeting in Edinburgh last Wednesday, even before she announced her candidacy.

News of the meeting comes after outgoing SNP leader John Swinney yesterday launched a swingeing attack on members of his inner team who he feels undermined him. Although he named no names, Swinney's most trenchant criticism was obviously aimed at Mike Russell, the party's former chief executive who lost his MSP seat last year. Russell, however, is likely to announce tomorrow that he will stand as party leader.

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Connery Summit with Sturgeon As Swinney Slams Backstabbers; Russell to Stand for Leadership

Some of Swinney's criticism was also directed at Sturgeon, a long- time ally and his former campaign manager. Pointedly, he did not tell her of his intention to resign last Monday, although he did tell his dep...

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