The Scottish National Party has challenged Anas Sarwar to whip Scottish Labour MPs into backing a vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer.

The challenge comes ahead of an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech calling for the Prime Minister to go.

Kirsty Blackman said:

“Anas Sarwar must finally put his money where his mouth is and whip Scottish Labour Party MPs to back a vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer or his empty words will amount to nothing.

“The outgoing Scottish Labour Party leader must step up to the plate and do his bit to end the Westminster leadership crisis or the Labour government will continue to be completely distracted from the issues that matter, including helping families with the cost of living emergency, which has soared under Keir Starmer.

“At a time when families are being battered by sky high bills, it is a disgrace that the Labour government hasn’t lifted a finger to help hard pressed households, because it is completely consumed by the chaos of Keir Starmer’s leadership.

“Despite his bravado, Anas Sarwar has repeatedly failed to act on his opportunistic election stunt call for Keir Starmer to resign in February.

“Back then, he claimed “the distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change” but since then he has sat on his hands and his silence has been deafening.

“At every opportunity Sarwar has had to put his call into action, and actually remove the Prime Minister, he has chickened out.

“Just last month, he refused to back the vote on an inquiry into Keir Starmer over his role in the Peter Mandelson scandal, which would have forced the Prime Minister from office.

“Now, he has one more opportunity to act the question is, will he back the vote of no confidence or will he keep Starmer in post and allow this Westminster circus to go on and on.”

“After taking the Scottish Labour Party to their worst ever result, this could be one of Anas Sarwar’s final acts as leader.

“He must do the right thing.”