Whisky spat intensifies as John Swinney says Labour Scottish secretary is 'under a lot of stress'

The SNP is claiming victory after US President Donald Trump announced he would be removing the tariffs, with the First Minister saying he received a “friendly” note from the president on Thursday evening and a phone call on Friday afternoon where he said Mr Swinney’s involvement “formed a very big part of his thinking”.

However Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander posted on social media that Mr Swinney had been “caught red handed claiming credit for something you didn’t achieve”.

“Now you’re doubling down. It’s embarrassing,” he wrote on X.

“I get it doesn’t fit your world view that the UK Government was working for this whisky deal before, during and after your visit to DC but those are [the] facts.”

Speaking to journalists at Deanston Distillery in Stirlingshire, Mr Swinney said: “I think the secretary of state is feeling under a lot of stress during the election campaign, because his behaviour is quite odd using language like that.

“He’s known me for a long time and I don’t think it’s language he should be using.

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“When President Trump came to Scotland in July, he indicated he was unaware of there being any issues about tariffs on Scotch whisky and I set about making sure that was countered.”

The First Minister then said President Trump’s social media posts on the matter indicated the link between Scotland and the downturn in Kentucky was “what persuaded” him to remove the tariffs.

He added: “I also provided a solution to the issue I advanced when I saw him at the Oval Office, which was the connection between the loss of employment and economic activity in Scotland from the tariffs and the loss of employment in Kentucky because of the downturn in the use of casks from Kentucky in Scotland.”

After his visit to the distillery, the First Minister said he received a phone call from the president where the pair discussed the tariffs and international affairs.

Mr Swinney said: “I was pleased to receive a call from the president of the US this afternoon, which gave me the opportunity to thank him personally for ending the tariffs on Scotch whisky.

“The president was clear that our discussions on the mutual benefit of this deal, and Scotland’s ability to work with the state of Kentucky, formed a very big part of his thinking.

“He said that he was pleased to be able to do this for Scotland, together with His Majesty the King.

“We also briefly discussed international affairs, including the conflict in Iran.”

He added: “My primary duty as First Minister is to promote Scotland’s interests, and ensure that people’s jobs and livelihoods are protected.

“I am delighted that the hard work of all involved has now paid off.”

Earlier in the week Mr Swinney had declined an invitation to Trump’s state banquet in Washington due to the election campaign. He told journalists: “I think the president wanted to have me there for the conclusion of this deal, I presume that’s why he was inviting me because I was a bit surprised to get an invitation.”

When asked if the relationship between the UK and Scottish governments had broken down, he said: “Yes, it has, and I can trace it back to the appointment of Douglas Alexander as secretary of state for Scotland.

“Ian Murray was very, very helpful and argued for solutions that helped Scotland, and since Douglas Alexander became the secretary of state, well, you've all heard this morning - that is the underlying tone.”

When asked if relations are now as bad as they were under former Conservative Scottish secretary Alister Jack, Mr Swinney said: “We’re not far off it.”

In response, Mr Alexander said: “The First Minister can hold as many photoshoots and take as many day trips to Washington as he likes - this was delivered after relentless engagement and negotiation with our friends, partners and allies in the US.

“The UK Government has agreed major trade deals with the EU, US and India, as well as new trade measures with China, which will provide hugely positive impacts on key Scottish sectors such as whisky.”

The First Minister was also asked whether those within his party who are anti-monarchy should rethink their stance, given Mr Trump has credited King Charles III for the move.

The SNP’s current position is to keep the monarchy in an independent Scotland, but many within his party are against the Royal Family.

Mr Swinney said: “I very much welcome the involvement of the King in advocating for Scotch whisky and the very positive outcome that’s been achieved as a consequence.

“The SNP’s position is that we should have a monarchy in an independent Scotland.”

Opposition parties have condemned the cross-party fighting, saying King Charles III is the one who should be taking the credit for the win.

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride was campaigning alongside Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay in Edinburgh, and said: "This is down to an intervention by the king in a very successful visit, and if you actually listen to what Donald Trump says, he actually credits the king himself with having helped get this change of heart across the line.

"And I do think it's rather disingenuous of John Swinney being out there, jumping up and down, trying to claim the credit for this."

Mr Findlay said: "John Swinney is lying. It's nothing to do with him. This is to do with the king going over there on a state visit, which numerous parties, including the Lib Dems and the Greens, wanted not to happen."

He added: "Credit goes entirely to the King. “

On the SNP-Labour spat over credit, Mr Findlay said: "It was like two little drunk men in a pub fighting over nonsense.

"The reality is the king secured the deal. Labour and SNP politicians should just pipe down, and be grateful for the fact His Majesty was able to so decisively secure this critical win for the Scotch whisky industry."

Wendy Chamberlain MP, deputy leader of the Scottish Lib Dems and chair of the Westminster group on Scotch whisky said: “I think the King is owed a real vote of thanks for his hard work and diplomacy in securing this important win for our incredible whisky producers.

“He has achieved what neither Keir Starmer and John Swinney have been able to do.

“I hope he will be able to enjoy a dram of his favourite whisky today and take satisfaction in a job well done.”