Commenting on Jack McConnell's two interviews this evening on national television SNP Leader Mr John Swinney MSP today (Tuesday) said that it is absurd for Jack McConnell to try to distance himself from a scandal within the party he leads. Mr Swinney said:

"Jack McConnell has just completed two television interviews in which you would not know that he was in fact the leader of the Labour party in Scotland, the same party that today admitted to breaking the law.

"It is absurd for Jack McConnell to try to distance himself from a scandal within the party he leads. He has acquired a dangerous habit of trying to evade responsibility demonstrating that we can no longer believe a word that he says."