NO-ONE involved in the Scottish referendum will need reminding that Sir Nicholas Macpherson, the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, intervened directly in the debate over possible independence by making public a paper titled Scotland Analysis: Assessment of a Sterling Currency Union, which had been written by Treasury officials for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
More than a few people pointed out at the time that, were there to be a Yes vote, Macpherson’s position was fatally compromised and he might have to resign or at least play no part in negotiations between the Scottish Government and Westminster.
What short memories they have in the Treasury, and what glaring inconsistency the UK Government’s most powerful department has displayed.
For yesterday at Holyrood, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Hands MP, said he would not release any of the background papers it prepared for the negotiations over the fiscal framework that has now been agreed between the UK and Scottish governments.
He said such a release would be an “unwelcome development” adding: “Inter-governmental negotiations need an area of space where they can put forward papers, in knowledge those will remain confidential.”
Except when it suits the Treasury, of course. Macpherson is a civil servant and his egregious intervention has been rightly condemned. How much more so should Hands, a junior member of Cabinet, don’t forget, be condemned for failing to release important documentation MSPs want to see.
So much for a commitment to freedom of information, which, as has been shown, the Tories abhor.
By refusing to disclose what the UK Government’s Treasury Minister and officials were thinking, Hands has forced one simple conclusion – that they had plenty to hide, and really were trying everything to stop Scotland getting its rightful due.
He is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn’t, so we say to Hands: publish – and be damned.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here