Swinney attacks ‘juvenile’ Alexander amid spat over US military using airport
The First Minister said the Scottish Secretary effectively told him ‘this whole issue was none of my business’.
Scotland’s First Minister has called a senior UK Government minister “juvenile” amid a spat over information about the US military using a Scottish airport to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said on Thursday morning that he had offered to brief John Swinney on America’s use of Wick airport during its operation to capture the Marinera, which was later moored in Scottish waters, but that he did not accept.
Joining Defence Secretary John Healey on a visit to the Leonardo factory in Edinburgh, Mr Alexander said: “I personally offered a briefing to John Swinney, the First Minister, in relation to the use of Wick airport – that hasn’t been accepted.
“But these issues are far, far too important to be subject to party politics.”
However, the First Minister said the letter from the Scottish Secretary effectively said “this whole issue was none of my business”.
He told reporters at the Scottish Parliament: “I wrote to the Prime Minister asking for a detailed briefing about the Marinera, and also for all issues that are relevant from a UK Government perspective, to be taken forward in full agreement and dialogue with the law officers of Scotland, who of course have legal responsibilities now that the tanker is in Scottish waters.
“I got a reply from Douglas Alexander which basically told me that this whole issue was none of my business.
“So if that’s what Mr Alexander is suggesting, is an invitation to dialogue, I suggest he goes and redrafts his letters before he sends them to me.
“I wrote back to the Prime Minister after my letter from Douglas Alexander, because I was so dissatisfied with the juvenile content of Mr Alexander’s letter.
“I’ve now had a reply from the Prime Minister which offers me the dialogue and security information that I believe is necessary for the First Minister of Scotland to have and I will pursue that.”
The SNP leader said he was “committed” to contributing to the national security of Scotland and the wider UK, but added: “I could do with a bit more assistance in the UK Government in the process, because the UK Government is incredibly difficult to engage on significant issues of national security, as in recent days, such as on the MV Marinera tanker, where the flow of communication between the Scottish and UK governments has been absolutely appalling.”
Ahead of the operation to seize the Russian-flagged vessel, previously known as Bella-1, American special operations planes were spotted at Wick John O-Groats airport, along with a number of other military aircraft around Scotland.
The First Minister previously said he would have expected the Scottish Government to be “fully sighted” on security issues affecting Scotland’s waters.
He said he was “deeply concerned” when the Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, was taken to the Moray Firth for replenishment as it was being escorted by the US military.
The Scottish Secretary said on Thursday the Scotland Act – which established devolution – was “very clear that defence and foreign affairs are reserved matters”.
He added: “As a committed devolutionist, Scotland has two governments with respective and discrete responsibilities.”
The Scottish Government later released the letter Mr Alexander had sent to Mr Swinney on January 15 – a week after the First Minister wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In it, the Scottish Secretary says it would have been inappropriate to brief Scottish ministers about the operation, including when the vessel entered Scottish waters, in advance.
The letter ends: “Should you wish to discuss this issue further, I would be happy to meet you.”
The same day, Mr Swinney again wrote to Sir Keir, saying he was disappointed the response had not come from his office, despite his initial letter being addressed to the Prime Minister.
He said ministers being rejected from advance briefings over “operational security” was “inadequate and not credible”, citing the airport in question is owned by the Scottish Government.
The Prime Minister wrote back on January 21, and said the UK Government would work with the Scottish Government “where there are devolved equities or matters of Scots Law”, adding ministers had now been briefed on the matter.
Mr Alexander later added: “Facts matter. A week ago I offered the First Minister a briefing on the tanker issue.
“It remains unclear to me why he rejected that offer given the importance he now claims to attach to the matter.
“In these serious times, the First Minister bandying playground insults and trying to manufacture grievance really doesn’t cut it.
“Scotland – and our security – deserves better.”
