SNP to pursue "progressive alliance" if Tories and Labour fail to win majority

The SNP would “look to be part of a progressive alliance that pursued progressive policies" if either the Conservatives or Labour fail to win an overall majority on 8 June.

Nicola Sturgeon said she did not "want to see a Tory government" - although she also warned that Jeremy Corbyn was not "credible as an alternative Prime Minister."

She made her comments as she became the latest party leader to be interviewed by Andrew Neil ahead of the election.

The latest opinion polls suggest Labour is gaining support, although the Tories remain on course for victory.

The First Minister said she thought it was "highly likely" that the Conservatives will triumph.

But asked what the SNP would do if there was a hung parliament, she said: "We'll work with progressive policies and we'll work with the policies that we put forward in our manifesto.

"If there was to be a hung parliament, of course we would look to be part of a progressive alliance that pursued progressive policies. But the reality of this election, even with a narrowing of the polls, is we're going to face a Tory government perhaps with a bigger majority, so my priority in this election is to say to people in Scotland 'if you want Scotland's interests to be protected and our voice heard, then you've got to vote SNP."

The Tories leapt on Sturgeon's comments as proof that Corbyn would cut deals with minor parties in order to get into Number 10.

Party chairman Patrick McLoughlin said: "This would mean Jeremy Corbyn propped up by a weak and unstable coalition just days before the Brexit negotiations start – putting at risk the deal we need to get.

"Corbyn and the rest would put up taxes, weaken our defences and increase immigration. And we know he would give into Sturgeon’s demand for another independence referendum, because he’s ‘absolutely fine’ with that. But in the days of shock election results Jeremy Corbyn could become PM – and the polls are tightening.

"If you oppose a second referendum, if you don’t want Jeremy Corbyn to be Prime Minister of this country, if you don’t believe he is equipped to negotiate Brexit, keep our economy strong or our nation secure – the only way to stop that is voting for Theresa May and her Conservative team.

"There is no safe way to vote another party without risking Jeremy Corbyn in charge of Brexit, the economy and national security propped up by the SNP and the rest."