Swinney vows to deliver indyref2 before 2031 after being 'forced to condemn terrorism' over Sinn Fein pact

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

John Swinney doubled down on his pledge to deliver a second independence referendum before 2031, declaring "I will deliver that in this term," even as he faced a bruising session at Holyrood over his Cardiff pact with Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay confronted the First Minister over his refusal to call on Sinn Fein to denounce IRA terrorism — forcing Swinney to insist he "unreservedly condemns all terrorist attacks." Terror victims' groups had already raised alarm that the deal risks glorifying violence, and Swinney's adoption of the Sinn Fein phrase "north of Ireland" deepened the fury.

Findlay branded the pact 'Swinn Fein', warning Sinn Fein's leaders have 'never denounced IRA terrorism and still justify massacre of innocent men, women and children including Scottish soldiers.'

Swinney previously told families of IRA victims they need to 'move on' from the Troubles — yet has never accepted the outcome of Scotland's 2014 independence referendum.

The memorandum signed in Cardiff also used the Sinn Fein formulation 'North of Ireland' rather than the legally correct 'Northern Ireland', confirming the phrase was no slip of the tongue.