SNP human rights ‘hypocrisy’ and the Bute House guests
NICOLA Sturgeon has become embroiled in a human rights row after investors with links to controversial regimes were entertained at her official residence.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay hosted a dinner at Bute House in Edinburgh for individuals closely linked to leaders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Brunei.
A range of concerns have been raised about human rights in the countries.
Guests included an adviser to the UAE prime minister, the boss of an investment firm whose main shareholders include the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government, and senior officials from an investment agency controlled by the Sultan of Brunei.
The meeting took place in August – three months after British academic Matthew Hedges was first detained in Dubai after being accused of spying.
Last night, opponents raised concerns about Bute House being used to host investors linked so closely to such regimes.
They accused the SNP of ‘hypocrisy’ as it publicly condemns human rights abuses.
The Scottish Government was unable to say whether Mr Mackay was aware of the links some individuals had to regimes where concerns have been raised about human rights. But it said it would carry out ‘human rights checks’ before any investment decisions are made.
Lothians MSP Neil Findlay, Scottish Labour’s business manager, said: ‘I find it concerning that the First Minis- ter’s official residence was used for this event. The UAE is a significant contributor to the Saudi-led coalition’s attacks on Yemen. It has a very poor record on women’s rights, practises the death penalty, imprisons journalists and academics, and violates international labour laws.
‘Is this really the type of regime the Scottish Government should be schmoozing at the taxpayers’ expense?’
Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said: ‘This is classic SNP hypocrisy.
‘In public, the Nationalists will lecture to anyone who’ll listen when it comes to the importance of human rights and severing links to states with questionable records but, in private, they do the opposite.’
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘Scotland should be seeking to enhance its reputation as an ethical place to do business. If we’re to achieve that we need to be confident potential trade partners treat their workers and people within the confines of international law and good practice.’
After the dinner on August 15 no statements or press releases were issued. Miss Sturgeon was not present.
The guest list included Iqbal Khan, chief executive of Fajr Capital, whose main shareholders include the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government.
Another guest was Sayd Farook, adviser to the executive office of the UAE Government. Khairul Omar attended as head of Brunei Investment Agency’s London office, alongside company official Anwar Mohammed. The agency is controlled by the Sultan of Brunei, who has said adulterers and homosexuals should face punishments including flogging.
Other guests included Benny Higgins, adviser for the establishment of Miss Sturgeon’s Scottish National Investment Bank, Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross and city council representatives.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘This evening provided an opportunity for the Finance Secretary to meet international and London-based investors and fund managers, who were visiting Edinburgh at the invitation of the Lord Provost… and highlight that Scotland is an excellent market for trade and investment.
‘The Scottish Government follows due diligence processes, including human rights checks, before any investment decisions are made.’
‘Questionable records’
‘Highlights an excellent market’