Nicola Sturgeon has reacted angrily to claims made by the Daily Telegraph that she would prefer David Cameron to continue as Prime Minister after the election. The leader of the SNP has 'categorically denied' the report, published in Saturday's edition of the Daily Telegraph and has called for an inquiry into the leaked memo.
The leaked memo, penned by a senior civil servant, stated that when the SNP leader met the French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann in February, Sturgeon revealed she would prefer David Cameron to continue as Prime Minister after the election as Labour leader Ed Miliband was not, "Prime Minister material."
The claims have been denied by all sides on Saturday morning, although the Daily Telegraph is sticking by their story.
The French consul general has said that there was no talk of who Nicola Sturgeon would want as Prime Minister. Pierre-Alain Coffinier told reporters in Edinburgh on Saturday there was "no comment on preference" during the meeting.
Nicola Sturgeon has asked Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Haywood to investigate how the memo was leaked to the Telegraph. Sturgeon has said the report was a possible attempt to "damage" the SNP.
The SNP increased their membership on Thursday following the ITV Leaders' Debate. Nicola Sturgeon was seen as the slight victor in the seven-way debate, topping one opinion poll immediately after. Sturgeon has always insisted she would do whatever it takes to keep David Cameron out of Downing Street, and has asked Ed Miliband to help her on this.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has ruled out a coalition with the SNP but a 'confidence and supply' agreement could seal the deal if Labour is to work with the SNP. Speaking at the SNP Conference in Glasgow last weekend, Sturgeon said that her party would "shake up Westminster."
Sturgeon will face Ed Miliband once more before the nation votes on 7th May.
The BBC will host an opposition debate, moderated by David Dimbleby on Thursday, the 16th of May. It will feature Ed Miliband (Labour), Nigel Farage (UKIP), Nicola Sturgeon (SNP), Natalie Bennett (Green Party) and Leanne Wood (Plaid Cymru).
