Who’s betrayer?

For a total distortion of truth, Theresa May’s statement that the SNP’S policy towards the Common Fisheries Policy represents a betrayal of Scotland takes some beating.

Those of us with a longer memory and a better grasp on reality than the Prime Minister will remember that, as far back as 2004, the SNP was campaigning for changes to the policy and even said that if improvements for Scots fishermen could not be agreed, the UK should exit it entirely. These suggestions were rebuffed by the UK Government.

For an act of betrayal which exhibited total contempt for Scotland, we need go back no further than 2014 in Brussels when the Council of Ministers was meeting to discuss quotas for deep sea stocks.

For some reason, the responsible UK minister, Liz Truss, although in Brussels, could not make the time to attend. The logical alternative would have been to ask the Scottish minister responsible for fisheries, Richard Lochhead, who was also in Brussels, to represent the UK at the talks.

However, this practical suggestion was rejected and the UK Government nominated the unelected lord Rupert Ponsonby, the seventh Baron de Mauley. Richard Lochhead then had to sit down with the Baron to inform him that twothirds of the UK fishing fleet was based in Scotland and 95 per cent of the catch landed here, facts of which Baron de Mauley was unaware.

With that kind of history, this country does not need to take lectures on betrayal from the leader of the Tory party.

GILL TURNER Derby Street, Edinburgh

I am amazed at the number of correspondents who apparently have the knowledge to criticise the Prime Minister or her opposite number in the Labour Party over decisions or propositions they have made regarding Brexit. From whence does their expertise in international politics arise ?

AA BULLIONS Glencairn Crescent,

Leven, Fife