Scottish Government accused of breaking law by discussing independence
A UK minister has accused the Scottish Government of breaching the law in its foreign activities by discussing independence.
Scotland Office minister Lord Offord of Garvel told peers in Westminster that, while devolved governments are allowed to engage internationally, it must be limited to the scope of devolved matters.
He added that the UK Government is “aware” that the SNP administration has recently been “encroaching” on reserved matters in its foreign engagement on issues such as “separatism and the constitution”, which is in breach of the Scotland Act 1998.
Lord Offord said the situation would be “very closely monitored” by UK ministers going forward.
The minister said in the House of Lords: “Foreign affairs is a reserved matter under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998 and therefore the sole responsibility of the UK Government and UK Parliament.
“However, the Scottish Government and the other devolved administrations are entitled to conduct some international activity in support of their own devolved responsibilities, such as promotion of cultural exchanges and events, and they do that often within the embassy network that we have throughout the world.
“The Scotland Act is clear that foreign affairs is outside the competence of the Scottish Government and therefore they cannot and should not encroach on matters such as separatism or the constitution.
“We have been aware that they have been doing that in recent times – and our Secretary of State for Scotland has met with the Foreign Secretary and that will be very closely monitored in future.”
Break-up
He added that this meeting between the Secretaries of State was to “discuss the matter of the Scottish Government’s activities internationally” and that both ministers are “very clear that any overseas engagement by the Scottish Government should not encroach into reserved matters”.
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Bruce of Bennachie told peers that the Scottish Government has “no legitimacy” to promote the break-up of the UK abroad.
He said to the minister: “It may be reasonable for the Scottish Government to have overseas representation to promote trade, investment and tourism.
“But isn’t it worth reminding the Scottish Government and indeed the wider Scottish public that the UK has an extensive network of high commissions, embassies and consulates that do exactly that for all regions of the UK, including Scotland and all citizens of the UK?
“But when Scottish ministers are abroad, is the Government satisfied that, when they avail themselves of UK diplomatic facilities, they do not do so to promote separatism and the disintegration of the UK for which they have no legitimacy?”
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So would MSPs also be breaking the law if they were to talk about how they’re not allowed to talk about independence?
There’s an easy solution, mind. Any time a representative of the Scottish Government engages in international matters, they will need to be accompanied by someone from the Westminster wing of the party. MPs are allowed to discuss independence, as it’s within the competence of the UK government. That’ll make the union look great, the First Minister of Scotland having to be escorted everywhere by someone who is legally allowed to talk about independence. Maybe whenever a MSP wants to talk about independence, they could overdub them with the voice of a MP, sort of like when they used to overdub… Read more »
Tell Lord Tosspot to go do one. People can talk about whatever they like without asking permission.
Exactly. A pity there isn’t more plain speaking in parliamentary circles, such as telling the “enemy” in Westminster to f,f,f … Go away
This is laughable to the point of being ridiculous. The UK Gov have encroached daily on devolved matters, even passing the internal market bill to overrule the devolved govs, and they comment on what the Scottish gov may have said, as if they are an honest upstanding and fair goverment themselves. Hypocrisy comes to mind.
Big brother will be watching, says the Lord. I think the Monarch of the Glen carries more weight…
If the gags are out they must be scared of something
Gerry what’s his name’s words had to be spoken by a actor…They have form on this…
Gerry Adams, from Sinn Fein. That’s what I was getting at about over-dubbing MSPs with the voice of someone legally allowed to talk about independence
The Welsh Lords in the House of Fun are limited in their choice of subjects to air their views about, waste of time them being there anyway for what good they do…
When it is my turn to be FM I’ll strip them of their Ermine clobber…
Oh but its okay for the UK government to encroach on devolved affairs?
It is claimed that there is a split in the SNP due to infighting,leading to less support from Scottish voters,I have no idea if this is true or not but Lord Orford,presumably a secret nationalist decided to take emergency steps to reunite the party.
I don’t think there’s much of a split. There’s disagreement between the 3 leadership candidates over some issues, which is normal. The unionist media want to portray it as far more significant than it really is, when in fact it pales in comparison to the extreme factionalism on display in Westminster from Labour and the Tories.
I wish that little Englander Offord
would just shut up. Odious little man.. His type brainwash us with British this and British that where in reality it’s the flag of St’ George & Englishness he waves to the wider world. I like to tell him that Scottish & Welsh independent is not going away. It can only get stronger.
Perhaps we might be told which constituency the ‘ good ‘ Lord represents and what mandate he has ??? …..and from who how he got his place as a legeslator ??
Scottish businessman, he has only been ‘Lord’ Offord of Garvel (Greenock) 18 months, it goes with the job of being the under secretary of state for Scotland. Needless to say he is a Tory donor and accused of being selected via ‘cronyism’…
“I want our Union to be constructed on the idea of mutual benefit and reciprocity where England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all do their best to raise and share resources for the common good” part of his opening speech…ta wiki…
Diolch 👍🏼
What a douche
Whose Laws exactly? The one created at the behest of England for the benefit of England? Jesus, you can’t make this stuff up…England really is a special place.
To use the vernacular, ‘Lord’ Offord can get tae f***.