Nicola Sturgeon has launched a scathing attack on Boris Johnson and his Conservative party after a major political row erupted over comments the Prime Minister was alleged to have made over lockdown.
The First Minister said there was a "stench of sleaze" around the Tories after the UK Government faced weeks of questions regarding the influence of lobbyists on ministers, and speculation over who paid for the refurbishment of a plush Downing Street flat.
Johnson has strongly denied ever saying he was prepared to let “bodies pile high” rather than order another coronavirus lockdown.
The remarks were reportedly made after the Prime Minister agreed to a second lockdown for England in October last year, and suggest he was prepared to face a mounting death toll rather than impose a third set of tough restrictions – although he was eventually forced to do so.
Sturgeon insisted there was a need for a "real and proper" investigation into the mounting allegations being made against Johnson's government.
Speaking at a media briefing today, the SNP leader said: "We have issues around David Cameron lobbying, we've got all sorts of concerns about contracts being handed out on covid-related matters, we've got text messages between Boris Johnson and (Sir James) Dyson, we've got the stuff about the refurbishment of Boris Johnson's flat - the list is endless.
"In the last number of months I was under a fair bit of pressure and scrutiny myself because of allegations made - allegations I was cleared on by an independent advisor on the ministerial code.
"That wasn't comfortable and it wasn't pleasant, but I accept it was absolutely right that I was subjected to that degree of scrutiny. I had the Tories calling for my resignation before I was allowed to utter a single world in my defence.
The SNP leader continued: "I do think there is a need for a proper investigation and real scrutiny around the swirling of allegations around Johnson and the Tory party.
"It is genuinely a real stench of sleaze. It is in the public interest that these things are properly addressed and properly answered."
The Prime Minister is under pressure about the renovations after his former aide, Dominic Cummings, claimed Johnson wanted donors to “secretly pay” for the refurbishment of flat he used at 11 Downing Street.
Johnson did not deny discussing using donors to fund the work, saying: “If there’s anything to be said about that, any declaration to be made, that will, of course, be made in due course.”
He was also forced to deny saying he was prepared to let “bodies pile high” rather than order another coronavirus lockdown.
The Prime Minister said lockdowns had worked and insisted the public wanted the UK Government to focus on tackling coronavirus as he faced questions about the bitter briefing war that has hit Downing Street.
Asked about Johnson's alleged comments, the First Minister said: "I feel a mixture of shock but also a lack of surprise. I don't whether he did say it as I wasn't there - but based on my interactions with him, including over the past year, I don't find it impossible to believe - on the contrary, I find it imminently believable.
"In my interactions with him, a constant reach for the glib phrase he might think is clever or funny, but most people find crass, is not unusual.
"That any human being, let alone any leader, would think something so glib about human life, let alone articulate those thoughts, is something most people will be shocked at.
"I know he says he didn't say it. But I don't find it impossible to believe which I think tells its own story."
