SCOTTISH Secretary Alister Jack has been branded Westminster’s “apologist-in chief” after demanding Holyrood “cease” working on independence.
On Friday following the publication of the Scottish Government’s latest publication on independence, the Tory minister wrote to the First Minister expressing his anger over the project.
Jack called on the Scottish Government to stop being “distracted” by independence and work with their counterparts in Westminster to deliver for “business and people” instead.
He accused Holyrood ministers of being “irresponsible” in using Government and civil service resources to pay the Minister for Independence and put together papers on constitutional matters.
His argument comes as UK figures continue their crackdown on Holyrood powers, with the head of the civil service expected to issue new guidance on how Holyrood staff handle independence-related matters.
Humza Yousaf fired back at the senior Tory on Friday night – arguing that Jack’s outburst demonstrated how the UK Government is trying to “shut down debate” on Scotland’s future.
A spokesperson for the FM said: “The Scottish Government was elected with a clear mandate to provide the people of Scotland with the information they need to make an informed choice about their future.
“The fact that Mr Jack and his colleagues are not prepared to set out a positive case for the Union, or put the question of independence to the people of Scotland in a referendum, speaks volumes.
“Mr Jack has also not been paying attention to the new Scottish Government’s substantial record of delivery.
“Just in recent days, the First Minister and his team have announced record medical recruitment levels, a record number of students from the most deprived areas going to university, approved plans for a new £500 million hydro plant to support Scotland on its journey to net zero, a new strategy for Scotland’s aquaculture industries, and a funding package to support our island communities cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Unlike south of the Border, Scottish ministers successfully negotiated to prevent a junior doctors’ strike, and Scotland is unique in the UK in having avoided strike action in our health service.”
On Thursday night, Independence Minister Jamie Hepburn (above) explained that spending on prospective papers on the case for leaving the Union makes up a “minute proportion” of overall government budget.
He told the BBC: “Let’s remind everyone of course that in 2021 there was a Scottish Parliament election and the SNP stood on a platform of advancing the case for independence, providing the people of Scotland with the information they require to make an informed decision, so that’s work we’re getting on with.
“This latest paper lays out the way in which people will be citizens of an independent Scotland or could acquire citizenship of an independent Scotland.”
Hepburn was asked about comments by the head of the UK civil service, Simon Case, who said having civil servants working to break up the UK would be “unusual and worrying”.
The minister responded: “I don’t think there is anything unusual or worrying about having civil servants working to the agenda of a democratically elected government.”
