Would you go for a pint with the Scottish Tory leader?
Russell Findlay extended an usual offer to the First Minister at FMQs: a pint.
It is probably the least surprising revelation in Holyrood - John Swinney does not want to go for a drink with Russell Findlay.
Yet that did not stop the Scottish Conservative leader from inviting the First Minister for a rare cross-party chinwag over a pint.
It was a carefully choreographed publicity stunt which briefly turned the parliament debating chamber into a Fringe venue, with even Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone struggling to keep herself composed.
Mr Findlay wanted Mr Swinney to sit down with him and entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter to talk about the business rates “crisis” engulfing Scotland’s pubs.
A fair topic of discussion, as Scottish pubs are closing down at a rate of one every week.
But the First Minister, for once, was short and sweet in his reply - no.
He said: “I can’t think of anything less appealing than having a pint with Russell Findlay.
“I have a trip to the dentist that would be more preferable than going for a pint with Russell Findlay.
“I’m terribly sorry if that’s a wounding set of exchanges in my typically generous style in parliament, but I think most Tories would agree with me that a pint with Russell Findlay is totally unacceptable on any occasion.”
Still, Mr Findlay seemed to be enjoying his moment masquerading as a stand-up comedian, making numerous pub-related quips which earned him an equal amount of titters and groans from his reluctant audience.
His own MSPs got into the spirit of things too, with Tim Eagle MSP heard heckling “pay for a drink John” during the back-and-forth.
Despite knowing full well the First Minister was never going to accept his “genuine” offer of a drink, Mr Findlay branded it a “snub”.
Speaking after the exchange at first minister’s questions, Mr Findlay said: “His refusal to join me and one of Scotland’s leading businessmen to discuss the pubs and hospitality crisis over a pint speaks volumes.
“He knows the SNP’s rates hikes are forcing pubs out of business.
“But our offer to discuss the crisis over a drink still stands - I’ll get the round in.”
Neither Mr Swinney nor Mr Findlay are among the usual suspects in the parliament pub, but nonetheless the political bubble will be keeping an eye on who is propping up the bar over the next few days and weeks.
But perhaps we will sooner see Mr Findlay listed on the Free Fringe billing this August than the pair becoming bosom buddies over a pint.
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