Swinney defends election campaign after attack from Sturgeon in memoir foreword

First Minister John Swinney during a visit to The Bughties Care Home in Broughty Ferry, DundeeJohn Swinney has defended his Holyrood election campaign following an attack from Nicola Sturgeon. In an apparent swipe at Ms Sturgeon, Ms Constance said Mr Swinney was the best SNP First Minister the country has had. Speaking during a visit to Broughty Ferry on Wednesday, Mr Swinney refused to criticise Ms Sturgeon but insisted he ran a “strong” election campaign. Asked if he had spoken to Ms Sturgeon about her comments, he said: “I’m not going to divulge my private conversations.” Ms Sturgeon stepped down as an MSP from Holyrood at the May election three years after quitting as first minister.