SNP ministers displaying contempt as they snub Scottish Affairs committee

Liberal Democrat MP and Scottish Affairs committee member Christine Jardine MP has today accused SNP ministers of contempt as she hit out at their refusal to appear to answer questions at Westminster’s Scottish Affairs committee.

After announcing her decision to step down as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon refused to appear before the Scottish Affairs Committee, instead travelling to London to give a lecture and appear on Loose Women.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon recently rejected an invitation to appear before the committee, despite major ongoing issues such as HPMAs and the forthcoming agriculture bill.

On Monday 11th September, Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop told the committee she was not available to appear before the committee this week despite travelling to London for other meetings and events.

Ms Jardine said:

“The committee has proven an effective and collegiate space in which MPs from across parties work together on issues of importance to the people of Scotland; from Scottish agriculture to promoting Scotland abroad.

“By choosing to duck invitations to appear, Scottish ministers are treating the committee and Scottish voters with contempt.  

“Perhaps SNP ministers think that by thumbing their nose at Westminster, they are striking a blow against a UK Parliament they resent. Instead they are just looking unreliable and evasive.

“What’s more it means that Scottish ministers do not have a leg to stand on when they complain about Conservative ministers refusing to come to Holyrood to answer questions.

"I suspect it is just as frustrating for my SNP colleagues who must be embarrassed by the non-excuses from their MSP counterparts."