Yousaf dismisses claims overseas consuls ‘uncomfortable’ in independence talks
H
umza Yousaf has dismissed claims that Scottish ministers make overseas authorities officers “uncomfortable” when discussing constitutional points.
The First Minister mentioned discussions are “quite the opposite” to what was claimed by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack earlier this week amid a row over overseas affairs.
The UK Government has instructed officers to make sure its representatives are current for talks between Scottish ministers and abroad governments, with Mr Jack telling the Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday that overseas ambassadors “find it uncomfortable” when points like independence are tabled.
But talking on the British-Irish Council summit in Jersey on Friday, the First Minister mentioned that was “not the characterisation that I would use by any stretch of the imagination, quite the opposite”.
He added: “Whenever I’m engaged with foreign governments, ambassadors, with ministers, with heads of state, there’s been a really warm approach to Scotland.
“I think for me, it’s so important that when we are here on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we remind ourselves of the importance of devolution, but also, frankly, the fragility of devolution.”
Mr Yousaf met with the heads of states of Wales, Ireland and the Channel Island nations, in addition to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, on the summit.
His conversations with the UK Government minister, he mentioned, have been “robust” in relation to his considerations in regards to the “erosion of devolution”.
But he added: “I think it’s really important that we keep the engagement, the dialogue going, but Michael certainly knows my reservations and my concerns around the pattern of behaviour that we have seen recently around the erosion of devolution.”
Mr Gove sat beside Mr Yousaf, who was attending his first British-Irish Council summit, throughout a press convention following the talks.
Asked whether or not the pair had an opportunity to resolve the battle between the 2 governments, Mr Gove mentioned: “We didn’t touch on that issue, but we had an informal chat within ourselves and we had a chance to talk one-on-one this morning.
“The First Minister brought up a number of issues, and I think it’s fair to say that both of us, both governments, are committed to working together in the interests of the people of Scotland.”
He acknowledged there are problems with competition which “I’m very happy to defend issue by issue wherever possible”.
Following the press convention, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford advised the PA news company that his Government has within the final 4 years seen “continual incursions into responsibilities that lie at the devolved level”.
The Welsh Labour chief added: “You see the UK Government wanting to claw back powers, claw back money, take responsibility for things which they have no constitutional responsibility, and we badly need to reset that relationship.”