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PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe leader of the Scottish Conservatives has said he will not attend an “anti right wing” summit being held by the first minister next week.<\/p>\n Russell Findlay claimed the event was “not required” and accused John Swinney of using the meeting to “deflect from the SNP’s dismal record”.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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”.<\/p>\n In his letter, Findlay said the independence movement was “responsible for sowing division while seeking to blame others for your government’s many failings”.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “If you wish to unite the country you should begin by addressing these concerns, which the majority of people across Scotland share.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Swinney accused Findlay of “searching for reasons not to take part” in the summit and urged him to join the forum.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “I would hope that all parties in parliament would be able to come together around this basic premise.”<\/p>\n He added: “I hope that you will reflect, put politics aside and agree to take part.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘Put politics aside’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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