Sarwar 'stood by' resignation call in conversation with Starmer

Anas Sarwar has said he "didn't step back" from his call for the prime minister to quit in a conversation between the two.

The Scottish Labour leader called for a change in leadership at Downing Street on Monday, when he said "too many mistakes" had been made at the top of the UK government.

However, Sir Keir Starmer insisted he would not stand down, adding: "I'm not prepared to walk away from my mandate and my responsibility to my country."

Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, Sarwar said the pair had a "perfectly fair and reasonable conversation" on Thursday.

He added: "I made very clear that I want a UK Labour government demonstrating it's delivering for Scotland, and I made clear that the choice in the election campaign is going to be between me and John Swinney.

"I didn't step back from what I said, I stand by what I said and what I stated, but I'm looking to the future and the choice between me and John Swinney for this country."

He also joked that he had taken the "nuclear option" by calling for Sir Keir to go.

Starmer has faced criticism in recent weeks, with his judgement coming under question over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US, despite his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Downing Street chief of staff Morgan MacSweeney said he took "full responsibility" for advising the PM to appoint Lord Mandelson and resigned.

In a hastily-organised press conference on Monday, Sarwar had said the "distraction needs to end" and he had to "do what's right for my country".

He said he had a genuine friendship with Starmer, but the people of Scotland "are crying out for competent government".

In the hours following the call, UK cabinet ministers responded by rallying round the prime minister.

It was widely reported that Sarwar spoke to senior Labour figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy leader Angela Rayner, before calling for Sir Keir to resign.

But he has since denied being part of a wider plot to remove the prime minister.

Although his sentiments were echoed by several of his MSPs, only two Scottish Labour MPs publicly backed him.

Speaking on Friday, Sarwar said he felt "liberated" after calling for the prime minister to quit.

"Honesty is strength, not weakness," he said when asked if he felt stronger in his position after Monday's statement.

"We have seen dishonesty from this SNP government time and time again.

"I feel liberated and energised for the election campaign ahead, because, for me, my first loyalty and my first priority is to my country, Scotland."

Earlier this week, the Scottish Labour leader also suspended MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy after "new information" emerged about her relationship with a convicted sex offender, former Moray councillor Sean Morton.

Duncan-Glancy said she was "deeply disappointed" by the decision, which she said had not been fully explained to her.

Lord Doyle, Starmer's former director of communications, was also suspended from Labour's Westminster party over his links to Morton.

The prime minister has been heavily criticised by opposition MPs for his handling of the controversy.