John Swinney and Anas Sarwar clash over reports SNP secret meeting
It came as the pair discussed the hundreds of job losses at a Scottish bus manufacturer during First Minister's Questions (FMQs) on Thursday.
The Scottish Labour leader pointed to reports that senior SNP figures had held a meeting to discuss Swinney's future as party leader, during an exchange discussing the closure of the Alexander Dennis factory in Falkirk.
On Wednesday, Alexander Dennis announced it will look at consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations into a single site in Scarborough as part of a restructuring which is putting 400 jobs at risk.
Swinney said he was 'deeply concerned' by the looming closure and said that ministers are engaging 'closely and firmly' to avoid any 'negative implications' for Scottish workers.
Sarwar claimed that the Scottish Government procured more busses from China than Scotland, and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had bought more than Scottish ministers.
READ MORE: Fraser of Allander calls out Labour's Spending Review claim
He then said that the FM had given a 'weak response', before bringing up reports that SNP figures had given Swinney two weeks to come up with ideas to save his job.
'If he hasn't come up with a good idea to improve Scotland in 18 years, what chance have you got coming up with something now?' Sarwar asked.
The FM replied: 'What I'm doing, and what the workforce of Alexander Dennis will not be surprised at, is that I'm focussing on the situation facing Alexander Dennis. That's what I'm doing.'
He added that the Scottish Government had provided £58 million in funding for the firm for zero emissions buses, and that Scottish Enterprise has also given the firm £30.3m for research and development.
The FM continued: 'The stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention or creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit.
'That is the implication of the subsidy control act.'
(Image: Scottish Parliament)
Sarwar replied: 'If John Swinney can't figure out a way to order busses in Scotland, I suggest h picks up the phone to Andy Burrnham and see how he managed to do it five times, almost five times as many bus orders.
'John Swinney and the SNP are out of ideas, out of steam, and out of time.
'Failing to support Scottish manufacturing jobs is just one example.'
He added: 'One SNP MSP said about John Swinney, there is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision.
'They're right, aren't they?'
Swinned fired back: 'Listen, Mr Sarwar can conjure up all the stuff he wants.
'He can go through his press cuttings, he can practice it in the mirror in the morning to see how it sounds.
'I'm going to be focussed on delivering answers and solutions for workers who face difficulty in the country.
'And while Mr Sarwar postures, I'm going to deliver for the workers of Scotland.'
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