The Scottish Conservatives have today written to the Scottish Government’s Permanent Secretary seeking clarification over the “scandalous” creation of a minister for independence post by Humza Yousaf.
The party believe that it’s wrong for the taxpayer to fund a department designed to “promote the SNP’s party-political goals”, given that the constitution is a reserved matter.
In his letter to John-Paul Marks, shadow constitution secretary Donald Cameron says last autumn’s Supreme Court ruling – that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on independence – means there is no justification for such a post to exist.
He insists it’s unacceptable for publicly-funded civil service resources – along with a £100,00 pa ministerial salary – to be squandered on a matter beyond the remit of the Scottish government.
He added that creating the post showed how out of touch Humza Yousaf’s “self-serving nationalist administration” was with the real priorities of the Scottish people.
Scottish Conservative shadow constitution secretary Donald Cameron MSP said: “There is simply no justification for the creation of a minister for independence post in the Scottish government.
“It’s a scandalous and flagrant attempt by Humza Yousaf to divert public money to promote the party-political goals of the SNP on a matter outside the Scottish government’s competence.
“I’ve written to the Permanent Secretary to establish whether or not ‘ministerial direction’ was sought before this post was created – and, if not, why not?
“The Supreme Court ruling last November was clear and unequivocal that the Scottish government has no authority to unilaterally hold an independence referendum – so there is no function for this minister other than cheerleading for the SNP.
“It’s bad enough that this self-serving nationalist administration is so out of touch with the public’s real priorities that the constitution is its primary focus.
“But it’s completely unacceptable that Humza Yousaf should squander taxpayers’ money on his independence obsession when it’s beyond his government’s powers.”