Tory leader will not attend anti far right summit

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has said he will not attend an "anti right wing" summit being held by the first minister next week.

Russell Findlay claimed the event was "not required" and accused John Swinney of using the meeting to "deflect from the SNP's dismal record".

Swinney announced plans to hold the forum at Bute House in February, saying parties had to unite to "lock out" the far right from Scottish politics.

However, in a letter to the first minister, Findlay described the event as a "talking shop," adding Swinney should instead rule out bringing back gender reforms in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling earlier this week.

But Findlay said there was no need for a summit to agree on a joint position that "racist hatred should have no place in Scotland".

In his letter, Findlay said the independence movement was "responsible for sowing division while seeking to blame others for your government's many failings".

He wrote: "It is disappointing that you have failed to address my reasonable requests, which are to stop seeking to split up our country, stop pushing gender self-ID policies and give a commitment to being transparent and truthful with the Scottish public.

"If you wish to unite the country you should begin by addressing these concerns, which the majority of people across Scotland share.

"As you are not prepared to do that, I am therefore left to conclude that this summit is designed to deflect attention from your party's dismal record."

Swinney accused Findlay of "searching for reasons not to take part" in the summit and urged him to join the forum.

"The gathering is an opportunity for Scotland to unite behind the common principle that far-right and racist hatred should have no place in Scotland and to agree a common approach to asserting Scotland's shared values and creating a cohesive society where everyone feels at home," he said.

"I would hope that all parties in parliament would be able to come together around this basic premise."

He added: "I hope that you will reflect, put politics aside and agree to take part."