A 'group of blokes sitting around talking politics' would 'not be a good look', John Swinney has said, as he defended his decision not to appear on a flagship BBC programme.The First Minister has faced accusations he is 'running scared' of other leaders after he announced Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan would appear in his place on Question Time in Aberdeen on Thursday.

A 'group of blokes sitting around talking politics' would 'not be a good look', John Swinney has said, as he defended his decision not to appear on a flagship BBC programme.The First Minister has faced accusations he is 'running scared' of other leaders after he announced Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan would appear in his place on Question Time in Aberdeen on Thursday.