Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson embroiled in Twitter set-to

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon clashed over reports that the new Royal Navy Type 26 frigate programme had been delayed indefinitely. Picture: PA

The construction programme was promised by David Cameron prior to the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014 - but as early as April, shipbuilders on the Clyde feared their jobs were at risk amid rumours the Type 26 construction programme could be pushed back to 2017.

The First Minister, who was responding to an earlier jibe by Ruth Davidson over what she described as a “screeching reverse ferret” by SNP MP George Kerevan after he had tweeted referring to his “speculations on post Indy economics” saying that they didn’t “represent SNP policy”, asked the leader of the Scottish Conservatives for her views on the news of the frigate delays as reported by the Guardian newspaper.

Ms Davidson replied: “Remind me again of the number of warships you planned to build in an independent Scotland? Zero, right?”

Mrs Sturgeon stated their discussion wasn’t “about independence” and instead was about the “promises” the Conservatives had made “in return for No vote”, stating that Ms Davidson’s party couldn’t “dodge responsibilty”.

To which the Scottish Conservative leader replied: “And you can’t seem to answer a single question. But Scotland’s used to that at 12pm on a Thursday...”

The First Minister then decided to wrap things up by concluding that she thought that they’d established that her counterpart “didn’t like being held to account”.

The discussion ended cordially when the First Minister added: “But seriously - enjoy the rest of your holiday.”

To which Ms Davidson replied: “Will do. Enjoy Portugal when it comes.”

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