Why John Swinney branded the Tories a 'disgusting organisation' in highly-charged FMQs exchange

John Swinney has branded the Conservatives a “disgusting organisation” in an angry exchange with former party leader Douglas Ross.

The First Minister said it “never ceases to amaze me how low they will stoop” after Mr Ross questioned him on Thursday about ministerial pay packets.

Up until last month, government ministers voluntarily agreed to freeze their MSP salaries at 2008/09 levels. However, three weeks ago it was announced this pay freeze was ending, giving ministers a £19,000 pay rise.

First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader John Swinney speaking at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh, to mark one year to go until the next Holyrood election (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) | Jane Barlow/Press Association

As a result, Cabinet secretaries now receive £116,125 and junior ministers receive £100,575.

Mr Swinney said he would be the only Government minister to continue having his MSP salary frozen at 2008/09 levels.

However, during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday Mr Ross said he had received data from a Freedom of Information request that showed Mr Swinney had in fact received this rise in his last pay check.

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In response, Mr Swinney said: “Just to be clear, because it is important members of the public hear the facts. Ministers now get their full MSP salary in a way every other Member of Parliament does, apart from one person - me.

“I’ve decided to voluntarily maintain the freeze on my MSP pay and to the best of my knowledge, I have not had the increased salary.”

He vowed to immediately check his bank account to make sure his statement was correct.

A Government source has since said Mr Swinney’s bank account has been checked and he has not received the salary increase, and branded Mr Ross’s questioning as a “smear”.

Throughout the First Minister’s response, Mr Ross launched several retorts back at Mr Swinney, resulting in Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone threatening to throw him out of the debating chamber.

Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross

Mr Swinney said: “It says something about the depths the Conservative Party has now reached when they are not prepared to take anything in good faith across this parliamentary chamber.

“The Conservative Party never ceases to amaze me on how low they will stoop. They are a disgusting organisation.”