SNP is in retreat, says bullish Cable

THE SNP’s popularity is ‘moving backwards’ and divisions following the allegations against Alex Salmond show the party is ‘not entirely at peace’ with itself, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has claimed.

Sir Vince Cable said the SNP has ‘passed peak popularity’ and is suffering a big decline in support.

He praised Ruth Davidson but claimed the Tory surge in Scotland is down to her ‘personality’ and that her party is ‘badly split’.

Sir Vince made the comments in an interview with the Scottish Daily Mail ahead of yesterday’s address to the Liberal Democrat conference.

Sir Vince said: ‘We have the evidence of the last general election that they are moving backwards. By contrast, we are coming back because of our particular combination of fighting Scottish independence and fighting Brexit.’

He added: ‘I don’t think any of the four parties are making that position with the same clarity.’

The SNP has been engulfed in a civil war following Mr Salmond’s response to sexual misconduct allegations, including his fundraising campaign to pay for a legal challenge against the Scottish Government over the way it investigated the complaints.

Sir Vince said: ‘He was the driver of the Nationalist movement, was he not? I don’t want to comment on his private life, that’s nothing to do with me, but it doesn’t give the impression of a movement entirely at peace with itself.’

He also challenged Nicola Sturgeon to be clear about what she knew about the claims, adding: ‘We are talking about serious allegations, about harassment.’

Sir Vince praised Miss Davidson’s ‘very brave and impressive’ decision to speak about her past struggle with mental health but said ‘the attractiveness of a party leader can only take you so far’.

An SNP spokesman said: ‘The Lib Dems have zero self-awareness. They’re the fifth party in Scottish politics and going nowhere. Meanwhile the SNP has grown to become the second largest party by membership in the UK.’