THE First Minister has slammed Russell Findlay’s “misleading” claims about Scotland’s under-25 sentencing guidelines, telling MSPs "we cannot have this".
The Scottish Tory leader pressed John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday on the guidelines – which aim to shift the focus to rehabilitation of young offenders rather than punishment with jail time.
Some, including Findlay, consider them to be a “soft-touch” approach which allows young people who commit crimes to go unpunished or be subject to manipulation by crime gangs.
But the Scottish Government has repeatedly said the eight-page document can be overruled by judges, who act independently of ministers.
Findlay quoted a statement from detective superintendent Andy Patrick, who said in 2023 that the guidance was being exploited by criminal gangs who were “coercing young and vulnerable people to carry out some of these crimes because they’re under reduced risk of imprisonment”.
But the First Minister said: “Not for the first time, I cannot allow Mr Findlay’s remarks to stand about the under-25 sentencing guidelines.
“It is misleading to say to members of the public that there are no consequences for criminal activity under the age of 25, because there are very serious consequences, which involve imprisonment.”
LATEST: John Swinney has hit out at Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay for his 'misleading' narrative surrounding organised crime at FMQs 👇 🗣️ 'We just cannot have this' pic.twitter.com/rPIW5JCieo
— The National (@ScotNational) June 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Findlay also said the Scottish Government has failed to tackle organised crime as a gang war rages across central Scotland.
Police have arrested 41 people in relation to the feud after a spate of shootings, firebombings and assaults, with the probe being dubbed Operation Portaledge.
Findlay said: “These parasites grow rich by preying on society’s most vulnerable.
“These cowards cause terror and death with guns, knives and fire bombs.
“These thugs go after journalists, politicians, businessmen, police and prison officers.
“Organised crime is out of control and communities are living in fear.
“Does John Swinney accept that the Scottish Parliament has failed to tackle organised crime in Scotland?”
The First Minister said he does not agree with that assertion, but added: “Organised crime is intolerable, it is unacceptable.
“It requires the forensic attention of our police and criminal justice authorities to tackle it, and that is being undertaken within Scotland on a relentless basis by Police Scotland and by the criminal justice authorities.
“I would expect the authorities to pursue that level of scrutiny and activity, and that is what is happening.”
Downgrading neonatal unit in Wishaw is about saving lives, not money, says Swinney
Elsewhere at FMQs, Anas Sarwar claimed the plans for the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) at University Hospital Wishaw show the NHS is “simply not safe in John Swinney’s hands”.
An online petition against the change has surpassed 25,000 signatures.
Under the Scottish Government’s proposal, the Nicu at Wishaw in North Lanarkshire will be downgraded to level two, meaning babies born earlier than 27 weeks will need to be transferred to another hospital.
Ministers say expert advice points towards having three specialist neonatal intensive care units, in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Scottish Government also says the vast majority of babies will be cared for in their local neonatal unit, including Wishaw which will still deliver some intensive care.
However campaigners have warned some mothers may face long journeys to see their newborns after birth.
Raising the issue, Sarwar said the unit is award-winning and asked: “Why does the SNP want to downgrade this life-saving unit?”
The First Minister said the proposals are the “product of advice from an expert group” which recommended three specialist centres.
The babies affected will only be those needing “extremes” of care, he said.
Sarwar went on to say Swinney is “choosing to listen to certain experts and ignore others”, as he raised the cases of two women.
He said Tammy Johnston was unable to pick up her premature son Kai for four weeks.
Sarwar said under the plans, she could be forced to travel to Aberdeen, or further.
He also said another woman, Amanda Todd, had been told she may have to give birth in Dublin due to a shortage of beds, and he added: “Isn’t it the case that the NHS is simply not safe in John Swinney’s hands.”
Swinney said he cannot ignore expert clinical opinion.
He said: “There is nothing in the proposal about Wishaw general hospital that is about saving money, it’s about maximising the chances of saving babies’ lives.
“That’s what the proposal is about, informed by expert opinion.”
