Cash call is no reason to leave Unesco

As the Government lurches from one Brexit-induced crisis to another, Ministers must cast around for policies not imbued with the European obsession. They are not always successful in doing so and Penny Mordaunt’s plan to leave Unesco is baffling.

The International Development Secretary reportedly feels the £11.1 million paid annually to the organisation is poor value and could be better spent elsewhere.

Certainly, every penny is already a prisoner and indications are spare cash will be lacking when the split is made from the EU.

But the benefits of membership, outlined by Dundee City Council leader John Alexander, will resonate across Scotland, not least in Fife, where the Forth Bridge was recently awarded World Heritage status through Unesco and expects a bumper tourism boost.

One wonders if Ms Mordaunt’s musings could be more to curry favour with the USA – that great hope of post-EU Brexiteers – which has already cut funding.

The notion has been received poorly by the Prime Minister and other government members, who fear the reputational damage it could cause.

Opposition politicians have also mobilised against it. However, they have weightier matters to consider in coming weeks.

This act of cultural vandalism must not be committed while attention is focused elsewhere.