Sir Keir Starmer has left the door open for a deal with the SNP, refusing to rule out talks with the party on holding a second independence referendum.
When pressed on the issue, he dodged the question - instead drawing attention to what he described as "divisive politics" from the SNP.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf has introduced a policy motion that says a majority of SNP seats in Scotland would give the Scottish Government a mandate to open discussions about a second referendum.
The motion, which will be discussed at the party's upcoming conference, proposes making the first line of the manifesto "Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country".
Humza Yousaf has introduced a policy that says a majority of SNP seats in Scotland would give the Scottish Government a mandate to open discussions about a second referendum
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Asked if he would take part in talks with the SNP, Starmer instead accused the SNP of using “divisive politics” as a “mask for the failure in record” - but failed to explicitly rule out the talks.
He said: “The fact is they haven’t got a record, which is why they are simply going on the attack.
“When a party goes on the attack like that, there is only one reason and that is because they know they haven’t got a record to stand on.
“Yet again we descend into this SNP-led discussion which is not about the cost-of-living crisis, it is not about the health service, it is not about the way they have lost control of education and the economy here in Scotland, but is about a divisive issue about the constitution.
“I think their priorities are completely wrong.”
Labour is expected to win a number of seats from the SNP at the next election, but Anas Sarwar has said the party could “lose tens of seats".
He said that the idea of them securing a mandate is "laughable”.
Speaking about the SNP, Sarwar said: “This is a party that is in terminal decline, has no clear strategy for the election.
“The one thing we do know is the next general election is not going to be fought on the SNP’s terms, it’s going to be a change election about whether you want another Tory government or not.
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The Conservative Government has consistently ruled out a second referendum on Scottish independence
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“People in Scotland are going to get rid of that Tory government by electing Scottish Labour MPs.”
The Conservative Government has consistently ruled out a second referendum on Scottish independence.
