Conservative Scottish secretary is making sure "nationalists don't steal" stone of destiny
Alister Jack couldn't attend the Conservative party conference in person
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack is "standing guard" over the Stone of Destiny in London to make sure "nationalists don't steal it again", Tories have been told.
The UK Government minister addressed the Scottish Conservatives' conference via video, with junior Scotland Office minister John Lamont appearing on stage to explain why his boss could not be there.
He told delegates at the conference that Mr Jack had been "unavoidably detained in London, standing guard over the Stone of Scone ahead of its central role in the King's coronation next week".
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, was transported from its usual home in Edinburgh Castle to London earlier this week, where it will be used in the coronation of the King next weekend.
The stone, which weighs 125kg, will be placed in the Coronation Chair for the enthronement, before being returned to Scotland afterwards.
Mr Lamont said: "Alister is primarily making sure that nationalists don't steal it again.
"But he is also making absolutely certain that the stone does come back to Scotland."
Mr Jack, meanwhile, said he could not be in Glasgow for the Scottish Conservatives' conference because he had "an important job elsewhere helping to prepare for the coronation of His Majesty the King".
In a video address he told the conference: "I hope you'll agree that as excuses go, that one passes muster."
Mr Jack went on to use his speech to attack the SNP, claiming Scotland's ruling party "are not a serious party of government, they are simply a campaign organisation for independence".
He said the SNP-Green administration at Holyrood "isn't just misguided, it is totally incompetent".
He said that with nationalists in power "it sometimes feels like devolution in general is not easy".
Mr Jack added: "It's my job to work with these people. And believe me, it is not always easy."
In contrast he claimed the UK Government was "delivering for communities on the ground right now", adding that: "All in all, direct UK Government investment in Scotland now stands at £2.3 billion."
SNP Westminster deputy leader Mhairi Black commented: "The Tories have no mandate in Scotland.
"Instead of lecturing others, Alister Jack should be apologising for his Tory Government's appalling record of trashing the UK economy - and making millions of Scots poorer by imposing a devastating hard Brexit and Tory cost-of-living crisis.
"With Scottish devolution and household incomes under sustained attack from Westminster, the SNP is the only party offering a real alternative to the Tories."