Scottish First Minister John Swinney has unleashed a blistering attack on Douglas Alexander, accusing him of "haemorrhaging" relations between Holyrood and Westminster during his tenure as Secretary of State for Scotland. The sharp rebuke comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham reappoints Mr Alexander to the role, sparking widespread disapproval from Scottish leaders who fear a breakdown in cross-border cooperation.
The appointment has sent shockwaves through Scotland's politics, with many questioning why Mr Burnham chose to retain Mr Alexander despite his reputation for making life difficult for Scotland. In an impassioned speech, Mr Swinney revealed that the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster had changed dramatically since September 2025, when Mr Alexander took over from Ian Murray. Under Mr Murray's tenure, a "pretty constructive relationship" was fostered, with "excellent cooperation" between the Scottish Government and the Scotland Office.
However, this harmony came to an abrupt end when Mr Alexander became joint director of the Scottish Labour Holyrood election campaign, which aimed to oust First Minister Swinney. This dual role marked a significant shift in relations, with many insiders attributing the breakdown to Mr Alexander's conflicting loyalties. Despite their shared history as University of Edinburgh alumni, Mr Swinney insisted his concerns were not personal, stating that his sole focus was on improving the lives of Scottish citizens.
The First Minister also took a swipe at Prime Minister Burnham's vision for regional governance, specifically criticising the concept of mayors in Scotland. While Mr Burnham advocates for devolving more power to councils and authorities outside Westminster, Mr Swinney remains steadfast in his commitment to the established democratic tradition of electing local authorities accountable to their constituents.
In a last-ditch attempt to mend fences, Prime Minister Burnham has initiated a phone call with First Minister Swinney, which took place on Tuesday morning. The Scottish government has confirmed that Mr Swinney extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to visit Scotland during this conversation. The Scotland Office has yet to respond to Mr Swinney's scathing remarks.