by The SNP has used a taxpayer-funded “mini-embassy” in Brussels to distribute a new prospectus to EU member states outlining why an independent Scotland should be allowed into the bloc.
The Telegraph can reveal that the Scottish Government’s most senior “diplomatic” civil servant recently wrote to EU countries and institutions highlighting the blueprint.
Martin Johnson, the SNP’s EU director of administration in his Scotland House office in Brussels, said the document set out “our offer to the EU as a potential member state”.
As part of a concerted offensive, he argued that Scotland should be given separate entry because it would be “well placed to contribute to the EU’s shared agenda of social justice and to achieve a fairer and greener society “.
The civil servant added that an independent Scotland should be given membership because of its “strengths in renewable energy, research, development and innovation, our world-class colleges and universities, and our vibrant culture”.
But the Scottish Tories claimed that Humza Yousaf’s government should not be using public money to promote the break-up of the United Kingdom on the world stage. Foreign affairs and the constitution are reserved for Westminster.
Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, said in 2023 that it would be “extraordinary and a little worrying” if taxpayer-funded UK civil servants were being used to try to break up the country.
In December, Lord Cameron threatened to close the Scottish Government’s “mini-embassies” abroad after Mr Yousaf held face-to-face talks about the Gaza crisis with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president.
The Foreign Secretary said it was vital “that we speak with one voice to the international community” and threatened to withdraw Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) support for SNP ministerial trips abroad.
The Scottish Government’s international offices are based in Brussels and British embassies in key locations including Paris, Berlin and Washington DC. SNP ministers insisted that they are focusing on trade and boosting Scotland’s reputation abroad.
But Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, said: “This is another clear example of the SNP Government wasting taxpayers’ money selling their independence obsession abroad.
“The function of Scottish Government embassies abroad should be to promote Scottish industries and exports; It is completely wrong to use them to promote the SNP’s propaganda papers.”
The Scottish Government published the report on 17 November 2023, the seventh in a series of documents which aim to create a new prospectus for independence.
It listed what Scotland could “offer the EU” as a member state, including “contributing to the EU’s core values” and “using our strategic location on the northern edge of Europe” to enhance the bloc’s security.
The blueprint also promised that an independent Scotland would “work with EU partners on migration and asylum policy” and welcome artists from the Continent “with free movement back”.
On the day of publication, Mr Johnson sent an email to “officials from EU member states, third countries, regions and institutions” containing a link to the report.
In the email, obtained by The Telegraph using Freedom of Information, the report said it “sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for an independent Scotland in the EU, outlining the economic, societal and cultural benefits for the people of Scotland, as well with our offer to the EU as a prospective member state in the future.”
Mr Johnson said a summary of the paper was “available in all official EU languages” and provided a link.
It included a separate link with the other independence papers in the series, including one that promised an immediate return to independent Scotland on burgundy passports even when outside the EU.
“I look forward to continued positive and constructive engagement with all our European and other partners and friends,” Mr Johnson concluded.
A UK Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government should focus on the issues it is responsible for and people in Scotland care about. This is not the time to be talking about withdrawing constitutional change.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “This paper sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for an independent Scotland in the EU, outlining the economic, societal and cultural benefits for the people of Scotland, as well as our offer to the EU as a prospective member for the future. state, and this announcement was sent as part of the Scottish House’s regular contact in Brussels with EU partners.”
The FCDO has been contacted for comment.
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