SNP uses 'shameful' Tory sleaze scandal to make latest case for Scottish independence

Scots must back independence if they want to "escape" Tory sleaze and "a United Kingdom in constant crisis", Nicola Sturgeon's senior lieutenants have warned.

John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister, told the SNP's national conference on Saturday that the Tories have "rewritten the definitions of cronyism and corruption" and proved that Westminster was "rotten to the core."

He said Boris Johnson did not need to visit Peppa Pig World to see "snouts in the trough" and argued that the Tories have "lost all moral authority to hold the highest offices in the land."

In his speech to the virtual conference on Sunday, Ian Blackford, the SNP's Westminster leader, is expected to argue that the sleaze scandal was the "cost of having a man like Boris Johnson as Prime Minister."

Arguing it was one of a series of crises that are "the costs we pay for being part of this Union", he will conclude: "Independence is now the pathway to safety and stability – it offers an escape from the constant crisis of Westminster control."

But a series of recent opinion polls have shown declining support for independence, with a majority of Scots opposed to Ms Sturgeon's timetable of having another referendum within two years.

The First Minister, who delivers her keynote speech on Monday, has also fuelled speculation about her future after she repeatedly refused to confirm she would be in post at the next Holyrood election in 2026.

Mr Johnson has faced intense criticism over his attempt to rewrite Commons standards rules to help Owen Paterson and following a rambling speech to business leaders last week which included an anecdote about a visit to Peppa Pig World.

Mr Swinney told the SNP conference: "What has been revealed about the behaviour of Tory MPs in recent weeks has been going on for years – and the charge sheet is long and shameful.

"And when they are caught bang to rights by an independent investigation – they just rewrite the rule-book as well." He argued that "the people of Scotland deserve so much better than the Tories" and claimed they were intent on destroying devolution, despite the swathe of additional powers being devolved to Holyrood following Brexit.

Mr Blackford is expected to tell the conference today (sun): "For years now, what we are experiencing is a United Kingdom in constant crisis. And it’s a crisis that comes with a real cost.

"The cost of Tory austerity cuts, the soaring cost of Brexit, the cost of a Westminster government engulfed in sleaze, cronyism and corruption."