ANGUS Robertson has spoken out amid reports the Foreign Office was planning to crack down on his foreign activities promoting Scotland.
The Scottish Government’s External Affairs Secretary said he challenged Foreign Secretary James Cleverly after claims he was using his position “inappropriately”.
It comes after the Daily Mail reported UK ministers were to hold follow-up meetings with politicians and officials who met with Robertson to keep a closer watch on his activities.
The UK Government is reportedly worried the SNP politician is using his position to promote Scottish independence.
But Robertson hit back at these claims, saying: “The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which he acknowledged Scottish Ministers’ need to conduct international business.
“I made it clear that I would continue to represent Scottish Government positions internationally, including on the constitution.
“When asked, he could not provide examples of Scottish Government Ministers acting inappropriately or seeking to represent UK Government positions internationally.”
He called on the UK Government to support Scotland more in promoting itself abroad and argued that the success of sectors such as energy were a “shared interest” between the two administrations.
Robertson added: “There is great international interest in Scotland’s future, and if people are keen to ask questions, I’m always keen to answer.
“There will clearly be issues where the UK Government and Scottish Government disagree, but there are important areas of shared interest, such as Scotland’s energy sector, where the UK Government must do more to support the Scottish Government in our international work.”
It comes amid a brewing row over London’s approach to Scotland’s presence on the world stage, with Robertson using a recent Commons select committee appearance to accuse the UK Government of “actively undermining Scottish interests overseas”.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The UK has one of the best, expansive and expert diplomatic services in the world, with people across the UK representing our interests abroad.
“We are delivering effectively for the whole of the UK, and are committed to ensuring that Scotland’s interests remain at the heart of our international agenda.”
