A Glasgow nightclub mogul has appeared on Liz Truss’s podcast to launch a stinging attack on former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, branding her “Nico-liar Sturgeon” while the former UK Prime Minister claimed Scotland is “going down the drain” under SNP rule.
The appearance has raised eyebrows given the colourful language used throughout, with the Glasgow businessman using the podcast platform to vent frustration at the SNP government and its handling of Scotland over recent years.
Truss, who served a famously brief 45 days as Prime Minister before resigning in October 2022, has been using her podcast to push her continued criticism of the political establishment. Her latest episode gave a platform to the Scottish club owner, who used the opportunity to go after Sturgeon with both barrels.
The former PM herself did not hold back either, suggesting that Scotland’s direction of travel under the SNP has been deeply damaging. Claiming the country is heading downhill, Truss framed her comments as concern for Scottish people rather than a political attack, though critics will likely see it very differently.
Sturgeon, who resigned as First Minister in February 2023 after more than eight years in the role, remains one of the most recognisable political figures in Scotland despite stepping back from frontline politics. She has faced significant scrutiny since leaving office, with the SNP itself going through considerable turbulence including the arrest of her husband Peter Murrell in connection with the party’s finances.
The SNP has faced a torrid period since Sturgeon’s departure. Humza Yousaf took over as First Minister before himself resigning, with John Swinney now leading both the party and the Scottish Government. The party lost significant ground at the 2024 general election, with Scottish Labour making a dramatic comeback north of the border.
For Truss, the podcast has become something of a political lifeline, giving her a space to remain relevant after one of the most chaotic premierships in modern British history. Her economic plans, centred on unfunded tax cuts, triggered a market meltdown and ultimately ended her time in Downing Street faster than almost anyone could have predicted.
Critics have been quick to point out the irony of Truss commenting on any country’s economic direction given the damage her brief tenure caused to the UK economy. The pound crashed, mortgage rates spiked and her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked within weeks of the pair unveiling their mini-budget.
The nightclub boss’s appearance on the podcast reflects a strand of Scottish business opinion that has long been hostile to the SNP, particularly around issues like business rates, alcohol licensing laws and the general regulatory environment. Glasgow’s night-time economy has faced significant challenges over the years, with club owners frequently clashing with local and national government over policy.
Whether the podcast episode will have any meaningful political impact in Scotland remains doubtful. Truss commands little respect in mainstream political circles following her disastrous time in office, and her endorsement or criticism of Scottish politics is unlikely to shift opinions significantly.
The SNP is expected to respond robustly to the comments, as they typically do when Sturgeon or the party faces attacks from figures associated with the Conservative Party. For many Scots, having Liz Truss weigh in on Scottish affairs will do little to advance the argument being made.
What the episode does highlight is the continued appetite, particularly among certain business figures, to take aim at the SNP legacy and Sturgeon personally, even as the political landscape in Scotland continues to shift and evolve under new leadership.