A LABOUR peer is calling for the Scottish Government to be forbidden from spending money on reserved issues, including any plans for indyref2.
Lord George Foulkes is again set to ask the UK Government to block civil servants in Scotland drawing up plans for a second independence referendum.
Last month his Private Members’ Bill in the House of Lords, which also called for the UK Government to be given the power to veto any plans for overseas offices which represent Scotland on the world stage, was not selected for debate in the upper house. However, he has pledged to continue with the plans regardless.
He said: “I will ask the UK Government to exercise their responsibility to ensure the Scottish Government does not spend UK taxpayers money on reserved areas such as tasking civil servants to draw up a plan for breaking up Britain but instead use it for underfunded devolved services like the NHS, education and justice.
“I am also scrutinising all government bills to find any opportunities to table amendments or new clauses to take this forward.”
It comes as the Scottish Government publishes legal advice which confirms ministers are able to “lawfully” work on proposals for independence.
Alyn Smith, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said Foulkes’ comments were "boneheaded".
He said: “The ermine-clad Lord clearly doesn’t do self-awareness and remains the gift that keeps on giving.
“That an unelected crony in the utterly discredited House of Lords should use his platform to question the legitimacy of the elected Scottish Government promoting Scotland and implementing the manifestos of a majority of our national Parliament really does prove how poor the case for the Union actually is.
“The trouble with boneheaded truculence is that it only appeals to the boneheadedly truculent.
“I am confident the people of Scotland support their elected government doing their best for Scotland.”
Foulkes’s plans would give the UK Government the power to block international offices, such as the overseas offices of Scottish Development International, which have helped attract businesses such as French Covid-19 manufacturer Valneva to Scotland.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay added: “Baron Foulkes of Cumnock is the walking embodiment of Westminster entitlement.
“It is frankly embarrassing that in 2022 the Labour Party continues to allow appointed nobility to represent it.
“The fact that an unelected Lord can even propose legislation that would undermine the democratic mandate of the Scottish Government shows precisely why Scotland must become an independent European country.”
Last year Foulkes topped the list of Scottish peers to claim the most money while working at the House of Lords with a combined allowance and expenses claim of £64,643.
