Mr Sunak said Sturgeon and the SNP “pose an existential threat to our beloved union”, adding: “The argument that we should ignore them is dangerously complacent”. Politics Hub: Updates from the Tory leadership race “We can’t just bury our heads in the sand and pretend they’re not there – we have to stop them in their tracks,” the former chancellor said. “And that is exactly what I would do as Prime Minister – holding the SNP to account for its failings and personally ensuring that the UK Government is laser-focused on delivering for every part of our UK.” It comes days after Tory leadership frontrunner Ms Truss suggested she would “ignore” Ms Sturgeon if she were to become the next leader of the Conservative Party. Speaking at a Tory leadership rally in Exeter, the foreign secretary called Scotland’s first minister an “attention seeker” and replied “no, no, no” when asked about the prospect of another independence referendum if she became prime minister. “I really think we’re a family and we’re better together,” she said. “I think the best thing to do with Nicola Sturgeon is to ignore her. She’s an attention-seeking bigot, that’s what she is.” However, the SNP hit back at the comments with “bad hands”, saying they would only strengthen support for independence. The party’s deputy leader at Westminster, Kirsten Oswald, said: “The potential next Prime Minister has made it clear that the equal partnership Scotland promised in 2014 was a fraud. “Taking cheap shots to grab headlines is straight out of Trump’s playbook, but it exposes more than ever Westminster’s contempt for the democratic choices people in Scotland make and the Scottish elected government.” On Friday night, Ms Sturgeon herself acknowledged the sighting, tweeting a photo of a seal with the caption: “Spotted this cute seal in beautiful Argyll. I think she might be a bit of an attention seeker.” Some Tory MPs also criticized Ms Truss’ remarks, with former minister Liam Fox saying Sturgeon should be “respected”. Mr Fox, who is backing Mr Sunak in the leadership contest, told Sky News: “Whenever I hear politicians accusing other politicians of seeking attention, I tend to raise an eyebrow. “When it comes to the first minister of Scotland, they have a constitutional position, they have to be treated with respect.” Both Mr Sunak and Ms Truss have been clear they would not grant Sturgeon a second independence referendum in Scotland if elected prime minister and would instead seek to strengthen the union. Follow The Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Meanwhile, Mr Sunak also accused Ms Truss of “mimicking” as the foreign secretary is set to unveil her leveling plan, which has been backed by regional Tory leaders. The foreign secretary is expected to announce she will review the leveling formula to fix underinvestment in regional infrastructure if she becomes prime minister and ensure transport links are better integrated between bus, road and rail. Ms Truss will add that her government will make the most of the UK’s “new Brexit freedoms” – including the creation of low-tax, low-regulation “investment zones” on brownfield sites. Ahead of unveiling her proposals to level the playing field at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Saturday, Ms Truss said: “My mission as Prime Minister will be to raise opportunity and achieve ambition no matter who you are or where you live.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:35 Sunak asked about diversion of funds from poor areas But Mr Sunak’s team accused Ms Truss of “copy and paste policies being implemented by Rishi” and “re-announcing two years of government policies”. “Imitation is the best form of flattery, as the saying goes,” they said. But regional Tory leaders Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, and Jake Berry, chairman of the Northern Research Group, described Ms Truss’ rise initiatives as a “bold vision”. Mr Street said: “She has a bold vision for our regional economies, with the policies we need to make the leveling off a reality. Her plan for investment zones, for example, will give us a powerful tool to unlock new investment , jobs and growth.”
