‘Read my lips: no austerity under Labour’, Sarwar tells Scottish leaders’ debate

First minister John Swinney under fire over public services and cost of living during ill-tempered TV showdown

Anas Sarwar has said there will be no austerity under a Labour government as he fended off accusations from the SNP during an ill-tempered BBC Scotland leaders' debate.

The first minister and SNP leader John Swinney repeatedly claimed on Tuesday evening that independent experts said there would be 18bn of cuts after this election whether the Conservatives or Labour party form the government". The audience loudly applauded Sarwar when he countered: Read my lips: no austerity under Labour."