SNP ACCUSED OVER DEVOLUTION TO ISLANDS

THE SNP has been accused of backtracking on its promises to devolve power to the islands.

In Orkney yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘We are very serious about devolving as much power as possible to local communities, to grow their economies and take decisions that are right for them.

‘We’ve given a commitment that, when powers over the Crown Estate are devolved to the Scottish parliament as part of the Smith Commission process, we will make sure all income from leasing of the sea bed around island communities, instead of going to Crown Estate commissioners, goes directly to island communities.’

But Shetland Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott said: ‘The SNP agreed with the Smith recommendations of devolving full powers to the islands. Either the First Minister doesn’t know the detail of the agreement or she is reneging on the commission. Power doesn’t come in a cheque handed to communities, it comes by being able to write the cheque.

‘Surely the First Minister would agree the best people to steward the Crown Estate resources around islands are the people who live there?’