The Foreign Secretary warned that his officials would “tell host governments that we do not think it is appropriate for them to meet” with SNP ministers unless diplomat present Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA
James Cleverley threatened to cut off Foreign Office assistance to Scottish National Party ministers on their trips abroad after Humza Yousaf blocked a meeting between British diplomats and the Icelandic prime minister.
The Foreign Secretary also warned that his officials would «inform host governments that we do not consider it appropriate for them to meet» with Scottish National Party ministers unless a diplomat is present.
In a letter to the Scottish Government seen He expressed disappointment to The Telegraph that the First Minister did not allow one of his officials to attend talks in New York last month.
Mr Cleverley said the refusal was contrary to the «long-standing» guidance that applies to all ministers in the UK Government and devolved administrations about the presence of a senior official.
Mr Cleverley said he attaches «huge importance» ensuring the UK delivers a «coherent and coherent message to our international partners».
If SNP ministers continue to block British diplomats from attending, he said he would instruct his officials to «refuse to facilitate meetings between Scottish Government ministers and foreign government ministers.»
SNP ministers plan to make eight more this year overseas trips, including Mr Yousaf's visits to Dubai in the UAE and Delhi in India.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials regularly support SNP ministers on their trips abroad using their network of embassies for meetings with local dignitaries and political leaders.
Humza Yousaf did not allow a British official to attend his meeting with Katrin Jakobsdottir, the Prime Minister of Iceland. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA
They also use the local expertise of UK ambassadors to brief SNP ministers on issues on the agenda and background information on those present.
The Foreign Secretary's letter to Angus Robertson, the Scottish Foreign Secretary, came after he announced a crackdown on Scottish National Party ministers using their taxpayer-funded trips abroad to promote independence.
In April this year Mr Cleverley has ordered his diplomats to inform other countries that the Foreign Office must be involved in any negotiations with the SNP.
Despite this, Mr Yousaf did not allow the British official to attend his meeting with Katrin Jakobsdottir, the Prime Minister of Iceland, on September 20 during a trip to Climate Week in New York.
In his letter, which seen by The Telegraph, Mr Cleverley said his officials had «always played a positive and collaborative role». role» supporting Scottish Ministers on their overseas visits.
«I was pleased to see the positive results of your visits to Vienna and Brussels this year, and the First Minister's visit to Brussels this summer,» the Minister said foreign affairs.
He gave instructions to his officials abroad. «sets out my expectations for how visits should be conducted to ensure that the UK's international engagement remains coordinated and consistent.»
It states that devolved government ministers negotiating with overseas government ministers must allow a senior UK government official would be present, he said.
“I was therefore disappointed to learn that a UK government official was banned from attending the negotiations. First Minister's meeting with Prime Minister Jakobsdottir in New York on 20 September,» the Foreign Secretary continued.
Intent to 'censor' SNP
Mr Robertson's warning that there would be consequences if British officials and further meetings will be denied; he added: “My expectations regarding how such visits should be conducted remain unchanged.”
Mr Robertson insisted the April leadership was «seeking to solve a problem that doesn't exist» and claimed its real aim was to «censor» SNP ministers.
However, Whitehall insiders have expressed concern that that the Scottish Government uses FCDO. resources and connections to organize meetings only to use them to criticize the UK.
They said Scottish ministers had used the talks in particular to promote independence and criticize Brexit, despite that international relations are a political issue. reserved for Westminster.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have received the Foreign Secretary's letter and will respond in due course.”
A senior Scottish National Party source said: “This is extraordinary.”
It is clear that Mr Robertson has the UK government. official at every meeting he held abroad with a minister of a foreign government.
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