Mr Sarwar said his message wasn’t easy, as he has a “genuine friendship” with Sir Keir.

However his first priority is to Scotland, and the PM is now risking sacrificing the country to a third decade of SNP rule.

“That’s why the distraction needs to end, and the leadership in Downing Street has to change… We can not allow the failures at the heart of Downing Street to mean the failures continue here in Scotland.”

“I have to be honest about failure wherever I see it – the situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes. They promised they were going to be different, but too much has happened.”

“Keir Starmer is a decent man, and it’s no secret I have always got on with him and he’s dedicated his life to public service.

“The people of Scotland are crying out for competent government… they want to see leaders that put the national interest before themselves.”