£2.3m for US ‘ambassador’
SNP urged to axe role already filled by UK
SCOTTISH Ministers have been urged to axe their US ‘ambassador’ after it emerged the role has cost taxpayers £2.3million.
The SNP’s opponents said the cost of keeping the ‘counsellor for the Americas’ office was an affront at a time when the economy, schools and the health service were in desperate need of cash.
The Scottish Government insisted the position was vital for trade, with exports to the US worth £4billion in 2014. But the role of representing Scotland officially lies with the British Embassy, with an office only 30 yards away from the Scottish diplomat.
Scotland has a £15billion black hole in its finances, an economy teetering on the brink of recession, falling standards in schools and an NHS that has missed a string of targets.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: ‘The SNP are obsessed with nation-building when they should be building fairness and opportunity for all. Frittering money on a pretendy ambassador will offend everyone desperate for change.’
Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘It is hugely troubling that the cost of this role has risen at a time when every department is having to find necessary savings and hard-pressed families are struggling with rising bills.’
The post is held by civil servant Donnie Jack and has so far cost £2.3million in six-figure salaries, accommodation across the US, travel and other expenses since 2010.
While his official remit is to ‘promote Scotland’s interests’, Mr Jack also briefs senior US politicians, academics and students on Scottish issues, including independence.
Figures obtained through Freedom of Information show the annual cost of the Scottish Affairs Office has risen by 14 per cent over the past six years and reached a record high of £416,000 last year.
The Government insists the position provides value for money, but was unable to provide details of any commercial contracts it has secured.
It is further evidence that the SNP is trying to operate like a fully independent country, despite more than two million Scots voting decisively in 2014 to stay in the UK.
Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said: ‘The UK has a globally respected network of diplomats and embassies and we in Scotland derive massive benefit from it. Scots will see this for what it is, yet another SNP vanity project – one we can do without.’
The Scottish Government insists the role had been key to attracting foreign investment and promoting Scotland as a tourist destination.
A spokesman said: ‘Maintaining a full-time presence in the US is important as it is Scotland’s largest overseas market for exports, worth an estimated £4billion in 2014, as well as the largest source of foreign direct investment.’