Sturgeon ‘utterly irresponsible and completely naive’ over Ukraine no-fly zone

ALISTER Jack and Nicola Sturgeon have clashed after the Secretary of State for Scotland accused the First Minister of not understanding the situation in Ukraine.

The Conservative minister branded the SNP leader “naive” after she suggested a no-fly zone over Ukraine should not be ruled out by western leaders.

Mr Jack said such action could ultimately lead to World War Three.

The First Minister’s spokesman accused him of indulging in “pretty pathetic” politicking.

The row followed Ms Sturgeon telling ITV Border on Wednesday that “the West has to keep its mind open to every way in which Ukraine can be helped”.

She added: “I understand and I share the concerns about a direct military confrontation between Russia and Nato that a no-fly zone may lead to. Nobody wants to see an escalation of that nature. But on the other hand, Putin is not acting in any way rationally or defensibly. All of these things must be considered on a daily basis.”

Speaking to Bauer Radio, Mr Jack said: “I think what she (Ms Sturgeon) said was utterly irresponsible and completely naive.

“I’m afraid she doesn’t understand the situation and thank goodness it’s the UK Government that take these decisions.

“If we started to put in place a no-fly zone... within hours, a Nato jet would have to take a decision to shoot down a Russian jet and that escalation would be unbelievable. And, as some have said, potentially take us into World War Three. We can’t put ourselves in that position.”

Asked about Mr Jack’s comments, the First Minister’s official spokesman said: “The First Minister is not advocating a no-fly zone and we are very well aware of what our partners have said about that.

“At the same time, the FM has made clear that going forward things have to be potentially on the table as the situation evolves.”

He said of Mr Jack: “I think that to indulge in that kind of politicking round this is pretty pathetic. It sounds pretty patronising stuff from the Secretary of State and he should reflect on that.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated his call for Nato to impose a no-fly zone yesterday after the Russian bombing of a maternity hospital in Mariupol.