Scottish Government independence spending being probed, e mail exhibits after denial
T
he Advocate General for Scotland is “examining” Scottish Government spending on an independence minister, in keeping with an e mail despatched to a Labour peer.
A UK Government supply had denied there was any investigation after the problem was raised by Lord Foulkes within the House of Lords on Thursday, when he requested Treasury minister Baroness Penn if she would co-operate with the probe.
However, an e mail trade between the peer and Lord Stewart, the UK Government adviser on Scots Law, suggests an inquiry has been ordered.
In the e-mail despatched on Thursday, Advocate General Lord Stewart mentioned: “Thanks for your question at the Constitution Committee.
“After the committee rose, I discussed the matter with officials from my department and tasked them with examining the matter of expenditure on this post (of independence minister) by SG, and the allocation of civil service time and personnel.
“I shall revert to you in early course once they have reported.”
Commenting on the confusion, Lord Foulkes instructed the PA news company: “I am concerned that there is an attempt under way to reverse the assurances given to me by the Advocate General and Baroness Penn.
“You will see from the attached email that I received a clear assurance that the UK officials were tasked with looking into ultra vires expenditure by the Scottish Government on an ‘independence minister’ and supporting civil servants.
“I have had overwhelming support for this and look forward to a positive response from Lord Stewart on stopping this illegal spending by the Scottish Government.”
Jamie Hepburn was appointed independence minister by First Minister Humza Yousaf earlier this 12 months, angering the UK Government and inflicting Scottish Secretary Alister Jack to put in writing to the UK’s high civil servant to complain about the usage of sources.
In a Holyrood committee earlier this 12 months, the top of the civil service in Scotland, John Paul Marks, defended the appointment, saying the service “serves the Scottish Government and their priorities”.
On Thursday, a UK Government spokesperson mentioned: “It is up to the Scottish Government how it spends its record block grant in devolved areas.
“We have been consistently clear that we think that the priority for people in Scotland is halving inflation, tackling the NHS waiting times, ensuring energy security, and growing our economy across the whole of UK.”
A Scottish Government spokesman mentioned: “The First Minister has appointed a ministerial team that reflects the priorities that he will pursue in government – including tackling child poverty, improving public services, building a fairer, greener economy, and giving people the information about devolution and independence that they need to make an informed choice about Scotland’s constitutional future.
“It is the role of the Civil Service to support the elected government of the day in developing and implementing its policies.”