Baroness Shameless hit by cricket storm

BARONESS Scotland was embroiled in a diplomatic row yesterday for inviting dignitaries to an event in Australia – without consulting its government.

In an embarrassing breach of protocol, the secretary-general of the Commonwealth asked heads of state and foreign ministers to the charity cricket match in Adelaide but failed to consult ministers in Canberra.

Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne said the baroness’s actions were inappropriate and lacked ‘basic courtesy’.

In a letter to the Labour ex-minister, Miss Payne added: ‘Any event involving visits by foreign leaders to Australia creates significant security, protocol, programming and logistical issues on which neither you nor the Commonwealth Secretariat has sought advice.’

Baroness Scotland’s tenure as secretary-general has been marked by negative headlines about extravagant spending. The renovation of her grace-and-favour apartment in Mayfair saw her labelled ‘Baroness Shameless’. In the latest row, she was reported to have invited representatives of Commonwealth nations to December’s match. It is expected to feature Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara. A Commonwealth spokesman blamed an ‘administrative hiccup’ for the gaffe. They added: ‘We enjoy an excellent relationship with the Australian government and people. This fantastic event will demonstrate how sport can be a tool for connecting people across religions, cultures, races and regions while raising funds through a registered charity.’

Baroness Scotland became Commonwealth secretary-general in 2016 and her first term of office runs out next year.