
John Swinney 'from age of Taggart rather than Department Q', claims Labour minister
John Swinney is "from the age of Taggart" rather than Department Q, a Scotland Office minister has said.
Kirsty McNeill made the jibe about the two Scottish crime dramas in the House of Commons on Wednesday morning.
Taggart ran from 1983 to 2010, while Department Q came out earlier this year.
It comes after Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting branded the First Minister an "analogue politican" in a row over Scotland's NHS app.
The comment was mentioned by Labour's Kenneth Stevenson during Scotland Office Questions.
The Airdrie and Shotts MP said: "It's refreshing to have a UK Government to committed to investing in and developing AI, in comparison to John Swinney and the Scottish Government, stuck in an analogue age, unable to even provide patients and staff with a functioning NHS app."
assessment.
"I'm afraid the First Minister is from the age of Taggart, when what's upon us is the age of Department Q."
There was little reaction from MPs in the chamber.
Scottish ITV series Taggart was known as one of the UK's longest running shows.
The hit programme, which had a total of 27 seasons, followed a group of detectives as they solved crimes around Glasgow.
The show became well-know for lead actor Mark McManus' catchphrase, "There's been a murder.
Edinburgh-based Department Q was released on Netflix at the end of May this year.
It has several Scottish stars including Chloe Pirrie, Kelly Macdonald, Shirley Henderson, Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives.
The programme follows detective Carl Morck, who sets up a cold case unit following a shooting incident in which he was badly wounded.
Streeting blasted Swinney after it was announced England's NHS app it is expanding before Scotland has even managed to get its version off the ground.
The UK Government announced proposals to improve England and Wales' NHS app last week - saying it would give patients a "doctor in your pocket".
Scotland's version will only go on a limited trial earlier this year, with a full rollout not expected for till 2030.
England's app came out six years ago and the plans will be implemented by 2028.
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