John Swinney is facing criticism for attending a summit with Sinn Féin and Plaid Cymru leaders in Cardiff to discuss independence for Scotland and Wales, with opponents arguing he should instead focus on tackling failures in education and health. The First Minister's talks with Michelle O'Neill, Mary Lou McDonald and Rhun ap Iorwerth have proved contentious given Sinn Féin's historic links to terrorism, and critics say the trip, which also includes a taxpayer-funded bilateral meeting with Wales's First Minister, amounts to a distraction from more pressing domestic issues.

The summit aims to strengthen co-operation between the three nationalist movements and press the UK Government to prepare for constitutional change, with Swinney describing it as a "pivotal moment" for the Union. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton and Shadow Scottish Secretary Harriet Cross accused him of pursuing "separatist fantasy league politics" while ignoring poor PISA education results, and Scottish Labour's Dame Jackie Baillie said he was neglecting his promise to be a First Minister for "all of Scotland". The row follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's suggestion that "majority public support" could trigger another independence referendum, a remark he later partially retracted.