John Swinney has been accused of ‘running scared’ of facing up to his record in office after becoming the only Scottish leader to snub a high-profile BBC TV debate.

The First Minister has opted not to take part in a BBC Question Time leaders special in Aberdeen on Thursday night, with Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan instead representing the SNP.

The party said on Tuesday the decision was taken as previous leader debates during the campaign have been too male-dominated – but opponents claimed he is hiding from scrutiny of the Nationalists’ record in government.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: ‘It looks a lot like John Swinney is hoping to avoid this show and hide from a grilling over his record.

‘At a time when our NHS is in crisis, standards are slipping in our schools and crime is on the rise, it’s no wonder he wants to dodge this debate.

‘The truth is John Swinney cannot hide from the failures of this SNP government and we can all see the consequences of their incompetence daily. He should stop running scared and face up to his record by taking part in this show.

‘On May 7, Scotland can turn the page on SNP failure and vote for change by electing a Scottish Labour government which will fix the mess, get the basics right and deliver a better future for Scotland.’

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘Cowardly John Swinney is running scared of defending the SNP’s appalling record to a UK-wide audience.

‘He has been at the heart of this failing SNP government for the last two decades but, in typical Nationalist fashion, he wants to avoid accountability for it.

‘He was the education secretary who marked down the exam results of Scotland’s poorest pupils; he was the finance secretary who signed off on a corrupt ferry contract; and he was Nicola Sturgeon’s slavishly loyal right-hand man for nearly a decade who backed every single one of her decisions, including her reckless gender self-ID bill.

‘When every other party is putting up its leader, Swinney should have the courage to front up to voters instead of hiding behind one of his ministers.’

Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign chairman Wendy Chamberlain said: ‘Dodging scrutiny like this is very Boris Johnson-like behaviour.

‘Is John Swinney skipping the debate as he can’t defend his terrible record? Or is he skipping it as he’s out of touch, sluggish and uninspiring onstage? Or is he taking the election result for granted and won’t lower himself to face public questioning?’

The SNP confirmed the BBC had requested a representative for the programme, and the party put forward Ms McAllan.

She said: ‘There have been many male-dominated debate panels so far during this campaign. The First Minister and the SNP strongly believe women’s voices should be heard in the campaign and so I will be pleased to take part in this week’s Question Time.

‘The First Minister is looking forward to the next televised leaders debate but is determined that women will be heard and is more than confident in the talent of senior members of his team to highlight the SNP’s record and put forward our positive, ambitious plans for Scotland.’

Mr Swinney said: ‘I’ve taken part in a number of debates, and will do so in further debates. But, on this occasion, it would be good for the SNP to be represented by a female.’