Health spending: Apology urged for SNP lies

The SNP have been urged to apologise after they were caught out at the launch of their campaign for re-election.

Alex Salmond said the SNP's pledge to protect NHS spending was "not matched" by any other party.

In fact, Scottish Conservatives committed to protect the NHS budget before the SNP did.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, said:

"Annabel Goldie has warned that this election will descend into vitriol and she is right – on the very day they launch their campaign the SNP have been caught lying about their opponents.

"Not only do Scottish Conservatives have the same pledge to protect spending on the NHS as the SNP, it was our idea first of all, as Alex Salmond well knows.

"This is a warning shot to Alex Salmond and the SNP. People expect a robust and vigorous election campaign where the parties compete for votes. They do not want parties to tell lies about their opponents, yet at the first campaign event the SNP are doing just that.

"Alex Salmond and the SNP must apologise now and stop lying to voters."

1) Below is an extract from PA copy this afternoon

At the launch in Edinburgh, [Alex Salmond] said: "We'll protect the health service for the duration of the next parliament.

"We've protected the health service in real-terms through the four years we've been in administration, and we're now extending that commitment to the next four years."

Mr Salmond, who was joined by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, said the pledge is "not matched" by other parties.

2) Scottish Conservatives first called for the NHS budget to be protected in February 2010

Back to all posts