NICOLA Sturgeon has warned Theresa May against using Brexit to “undermine” the devolution settlement with a cash and power grab.
The First Minister claimed the Westminster Government has no intention of giving new powers to the Scottish Parliament and accused it of trying to “muscle in” on the ones Holyrood already has.
She called for clarification from the Conservatives following an interview with Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson yesterday..
Davidson’s comments have been interpreted by some as leaving the door open for Westminster to in future make decisions about payments to Scottish farmers, despite agriculture being wholly devolved.
“For example, (on) help for farmers, is there a suggestion it’s going to be funded on a regional basis?” Davidson remarked in The Times.
“So does it come out of the Scottish Parliament’s budget and they have to levy additional taxation for that? Or are we assuming that’s coming from the Treasury? If it does come from the Treasury are we talking about where it’s administrated?
“All these things are absolutely legitimate questions and they are questions we need to answer in quite a mature fashion about where it best lies.”
SNP MSP Maree Todd said the report pointed to “not just a Westminster power grab on devolved matters, such as farming and fisheries, but a cash grab too” as she questioned Sturgeon on “these latest Tory attempts to undermine and weaken this Parliament”.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, Sturgeon said the article contained “two important revelations” from Davidson.
“She seems to suggest that in areas where Westminster currently has no power over Scotland at all, for example agriculture, they intend to use Brexit to seize such power — clear undermining of the devolution settlement if ever there was such a thing,” the SNP leader said. “On money, instead of Scotland getting its fair share of any savings that Westminster makes by no longer having to pay EU contributions, Ruth Davidson’s suggestion seems to be that the Treasury should keep all of that money and the Scottish Government should be left to raise taxes in order to fund farm payments.
“That is absolutely outrageous and completely unacceptable.
“I hope that before the day is out the Tories will have clarified this and make sure that A. there will be no power grab and B. there will be no cash grab on the Scottish Government by the Westminster Government.
“I tell you what’s clear — Westminster has got no intentions of giving new powers to this Parliament.
“All they want to do is muscle in on the powers we already have.”
Earlier this week, Scottish Secretary David Mundell offered an “absolute guarantee” Holyrood would be given greater control over Scottish affairs after Brexit, amid concern key areas of agriculture and fishing policy could be returned to Westminster when the UK is handed back powers from Brussels.
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel