Fact Check: Russell Findlay’s ‘skulking’ accusation against Keir Starmer
Verify Russell Findlay’s accusation that Keir Starmer was ‘skulking’ in Scotland and avoided Anas Sarwar.
Keir Starmer on a boat next to a grey nuclear submarine. He is wearing a blue gilet over a blue or black jumper. He has grey hair and is wearing glasses. There are two men standing on the conning tower of the submarine
TL;DR **Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay did accuse Prime Minister Keir Starmer of ‘skulking’ around Scotland and said he appeared unable to look Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in the eyes, as reported by multiple outlets.**
Claim Russell Findlay stated that Starmer was ‘skulking’ around Scotland and appeared unable to look Sarwar in the eyes during a visit to the Faslane naval base.
Evidence LBC reported Findlay’s comment that Starmer was ‘skulking’ and seemed ‘unable to look Sarwar in the eyes’. MSN published the same quote from Findlay. The original article detailing Starmer’s two‑and‑a‑half‑hour visit to Faslane includes Findlay’s exact words.
Verdict True. The accusation matches Findlay’s statement as recorded by LBC, MSN, and the source article.
Analysis Findlay’s remark came amid Sarwar’s call for Starmer to resign and during a Holyrood election campaign. Starmer’s visit to Faslane, which hosts all Royal Navy nuclear submarines on the Gare Loch about 25 miles northwest of Glasgow, was framed as a defence and security trip. No meeting occurred between Starmer and Sarwar or Scottish Labour colleagues. The accusation reflects political tension rather than a factual dispute about the base’s role or the UK’s continuous at‑sea deterrent, which has existed since 1969 using Polaris then Trident missiles on Vanguard‑class submarines.
What to watch next: How Sarwar’s campaign and Starmer’s future Scotland visits influence voter sentiment ahead of the Holyrood election.
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