A West Lothian schoolboy has claimed that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has ignored her promise to help with his environmental campaign as she attends Cop27 in Egypt this week.
Seven-year-old Callum Isted from West Lothian previously became Scotland's youngest petitioner at Edinburgh's Holyrood House. He campaigned the government to provide each schoolchild with a reusable bottle in place of the single use bottles he and his classmates are given weekly at Dedridge Primary in Livingston.
Callum stood before MSPs at a citizen participation and petitions committee in March of this year to advocate his cause, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised to help him with his campaign during a face-to-face meeting.
However, Callum said he has still not heard from her. He told the Times: "I feel sad because it feels like she is ignoring me."
But a Scottish government spokesperson sought to assure the youngster that officials will continue to consider the aims and objectives of his "important petition" - and Ms Sturgeon will be "happy" to speak with Callum again as it progresses through committee.
The young West Lothian made history with his campaign, and he made a special appearance at Cop26 to help promote his cause.
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Following his comments, Scottish Tories have attacked Ms Sturgeon for letting Callum down.
MSP for the Lothians Sue Webber wrote to the first minister in September to ask about Callum's petition but received no reply from her.
MSP Webber said: "The first minister has been able to find the time to go on a photo tour in Egypt at Cop27, but not to honour her promise to a little boy whose amazing achievement was recognised at Cop26.
"When politicians talk about engaging with young people, nothing is more discouraging than not following through with commitments made directly to them and forgetting about them.
"Callum is such a wonderful boy, and I am disappointed and frustrated on his behalf that the first minister is letting him down. The first thing she should do next week is go out of her way to meet Callum and his family, apologise for the delay, promise not to ignore him again, and give him a firm commitment to help."
Callum started his campaign after he was given a single-use plastic bottle at Dedridge primary school. He took it home, weighed it and calculated the total weight of bottles his school threw out each year was about that of a giant panda at Edinburgh Zoo.
The young activist started a petition which garnered 146 signatures. He took his petition to MSPs to highlight the danger of microplastic litter and called for better drinking fountains.
Callum also fundraised £1,400 for his campaign by walking coast to coast and has been shortlisted for the Edinburgh Evening News Local Hero Award.
The Scottish Government said: "The first minister was delighted to meet with Callum Isted this year and hear more about his campaign for every school child in Scotland to be given a reusable water bottle.
"As the FM made clear in that meeting, the Scottish government will continue to consider the aims and objectives of Callum's important petition, and she would be happy to speak with Callum again as it progresses through committee."
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