John Swinney splurges £30million of taxpayers' money on fund to 'fight the far-right' in Scotland

The SNP leader told attendees the country must "unite" to “face down the forces of division and hate”.

Mr Swinney claimed the best way to “combat the rise of the racists is in the communities of Scotland on the ground”.

The First Minister said the new Scotland Together fund will hand taxpayer cash to community groups, which will do "the hard yards to build bridges and break down barriers” .

“They are the very best of us," he declared.

Mr Swinney accused "far-right" organisations of exploiting fears over rising levels of sexual violence and housing frustrations to target migrants living in Scotland.

He said: “No matter where you were born, who you worship, or who you love. All of us have a contribution to make to Scotland’s story.

“So, we start by making clear to every single person who chooses to live in Scotland, you are all welcome here.”

The Scotland Together Fund will earmark £30million over the next three years to be dished out to the community groups.

The First Minister insisted the cash will “give them the tools they need to push back the tide of racism in Scotland”.

Mr Swinney told party members: “Words are not enough.

"Scotland belongs to all who live here and the SNP will always fight the forces of the far-right.”

The SNP leader also unveiled a £1million "respect fund" to help schools tackle misogyny in the classroom.

He told conference he had been left "appalled" by the "creeping normalisation of misogynistic behaviour in our society".

Mr Swinney also announced the Scottish Government will establish a new partnership to expand Police Scotland’s "Don’t Be That Guy' campaign.

He said: "This partnership will bring together high-profile sportsmen from football, rugby, cycling, swimming, athletics, golf and tennis.

"Challenging head-on the harmful behaviours and cultural norms that our boys and young men are seeing in life - and online."

The First Minister also used his speech to declare that Scotland is "more than good enough to be an independent country" as he claimed the Britain that people voted to remain part of in 2014 no longer exists.

But on Friday, Andy Burnham appeared to rule out holding a second vote on Scottish independence after striking a devolution alliance with the SNP.

The Prime Minister said he believes "unions of countries are better because you can face a challenging world in a more confident and stronger way, in my view, when you collaborate and you work together".

He confirmed he had briefed Mr Swinney, "very clearly", while acknowledging the nationalist took a "different view".

The First Minister's remarks come after GB News revealed the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein plot to break up the UK could see English pushed towards a stronger national identity.