Ambush as Sturgeon shows off at the UN
‘Your desire to break a union’
Deputy Scottish Political Editor A FLAGSHIP speech by the First Minister at the UN was derailed yesterday after an official accused her of being on a mission to ‘break’ a nation.
Nicola Sturgeon was speaking at an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York promoting women in peacekeeping roles in conflict zones around the world.
But she was derailed when an official hit out at the SNP leader for pursuing her ‘desire to break a 300-year-old union’ while claiming to be a good global citizen.
Mike Croll, who is responsible for international security at the UN, questioned how the organisation’s idea of a good global citizen could be compatible with Miss Sturgeon’s bid for independence.
He started his question by praising Miss Sturgeon for her announcement that an addisombre tional £1.2million of Scottish Government funding will go towards helping women train as peacekeepers in conflict zones around the world.
But Mr Croll then said: ‘I have a little nagging doubt. Here at the UN we are in the business of promoting peace, teaching people to live together, teaching communities to live together to avoid the breaking of nations. ‘Now you come from a prosperous democracy that enjoys the rule of law, that enjoys human rights and I’m just wondering how being a good global citizen is compatible with your desire to break a 300-year-old union?
‘This is the United Nations and your mission appears to be the breaking of nations.’
The question received a reception, with the First Minister trying to joke it was ‘non-controversial’.
She claimed that she was not trying to ‘break’ anything and also insisted that the campaign for Scottish independence should be seen as an inspiration.
Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I want Scotland to be independent, not from any insular or separatist motivation but because I believe countries should govern themselves.
‘One of the reasons I want Scotland to be self governing is so that we can play a positive, powerful, bigger role in the world in an entirely progressive way.
‘Hopefully an independent Scotland would also continue to play its part in Europe in a constructive and full way.’
The First Minister added: ‘I’m not suggesting Scotland is unique in terms of being an independence movement but it is unusual.
‘And I actually think it sets a really positive example to the world.
‘The campaign for Scottish independence, which has existed for much longer than my lifetime, has got to where it is just now through a referendum, a vigorously fought referendum campaign without a single drop of blood being shed.
‘It is an entirely peaceful and progressive movement. And actually I think that is an example to set to the world.
‘One of the biggest risks to Scotland’s internationalism is a Brexit process that we don’t want to be part of.’
The SNP leader, who is due to spend three days in New York, met officials including Matthew Rycroft, head of the UK mission to the UN, and Under Secretary General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.