John Swinney is 'insulting' the people of Scotland with his 'secret' independence plan, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly said he would not grant a second independence referendum.
However, at SNP conference, Mr Swinney said a mandate to seek another independence vote would be secured if his party wins a majority of seats at the next election.
The First Minister's strategy was dubbed a 'secret plan' by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Mr Swinney said that if he does achieve a majority, Sir Keir will not be prime minister.
However, speaking to Scottish journalists, the Prime Minister hit back, stating: "Oh did he?
"Look, he's insulting the the intelligence of the Scottish people.
“This is a record after 18 years in government. He really needs to explain to you about why he is not running on his record.”
The Prime Minister said he would still be in No 10 by 2029, adding there was a "blindingly obvious reason" why Mr Swinney was avoiding discussing the SNP record.
Speaking in Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: “I see the SNP are still holding conferences about independence. You might think by the way after 18 years or so in office, they’d actually have a conference about their record in office and run through their many achievements.
“But because there aren’t any, went back to the old script and are rehashing yesterday’s failed arguments and not seizing the opportunities of tomorrow.”
He added: “Honest John is still talking like a broken record, avoiding responsibility of the NHS on waiting lists, police numbers going up and refusing the opportunities for green nuclear power.”
The SNP would need to secure at least 65 seats in next year's Scottish Parliament elections - a feat that has not been achieved since 2011.
Read more:
- Swinney told to 'come clean' over 'secret' independence plan
- Prince Andrew used Epstein jet to fly to Edinburgh in 2006
- The SNP crushed the rebels – now comes the hard part
- Swinney avoids SNP rebellion over independence plans
- Sturgeon shrugs off 'rip off' over SNP book signing
That election victory led to then first minister Alex Salmond negotiating an independence referendum with David Cameron.
It resulted in a 55% victory for the No campaign.
Mr Swinney managed to avoid a rebellion at SNP conference, with activists rejecting a "de facto referendum" approach touted by activists.
At SNP conference, Mr Swinney said "nobody knows what tactics I will deploy" after he won the battle against activists.
He said: "The precedent is clear – when the SNP win a majority, we deliver a referendum on independence.
“We did it in 2011 and I want us to do it in 2026, to give our people a choice on their future.
“Let us agree today that we’re not just going to win, we are going to win big.
“We’re going to win a majority for the SNP to deliver that choice for Scotland.”
Mr Swinney also rejected commentary that he would resign if he does not achieve a majority.
He said: "It would be kind of funny if I won the election and then resigned."
The SNP's depute leader Keith Brown said: “Keir Starmer’s reverse Midas touch even extends to his own political attacks – he points to waiting lists and police numbers, when waiting lists are falling in Scotland and rising in England, and Scotland has more police officers per head than Labour-run England and Wales.
“He even talks about Great British Energy – which has so far created 13 jobs in Aberdeen, compared to the 1000 which were promised.
“This is a Prime Minister who just cannot get anything right. Once again, Keir Starmer is showing just how little he knows about Scotland.
“The abject failure of Keir Starmer’s Labour government shows that the Westminster system will simply never work for Scotland – and we need the fresh start of independence.”
During an appearance at SNP conference, former first minister Ms Sturgeon told journalists she believed Mr Swinney had a strategy to achieve independence.
Ms Sturgeon said she had known Mr Swinney a long time, adding: "If he says he has a secret plan, he has a secret plan."
Share