Sturgeon not invited to No10 bash
Nicola Sturgeon received a Burns Night snub when Theresa May failed to invite her to a celebration of the Bard at Downing Street.
The Prime Minister praised Scotland as a “hugely valued” member of the UK at the event on Monday night.
But there were no Scottish Government ministers tucking in to haggis, neeps and tatties at her official residence in London.
May and husband Philip hosted the celebration in the state dining rooms of Number 10 ahead of Burns Night on Friday.
The Prime Minister told guests: “It is important to me in everything we do here, and indeed in everything we do as a Government, that we reflect the fact that the United Kingdom is a union of four nations.
“Our country has great diversity within it and we rightly celebrate that. What we actually do in coming together is combine to make something greater than the sum of its parts and it is something unique and inspiring.
“Of course, Scotland is an integral part of our United Kingdom – economically, socially and cultural ly. Tonight, of course, in Robert Burns, we are celebrating a Scottish and British cultural icon, one of the finest poets in any language.
“It is a chance to celebrate a great poet, a great nation and an enduring union.”
Those who did attend included Tunnock’s tycoon Boyd Tunnock and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger gave the Address to a Haggis.
As they walked along Downing Street, guests were welcomed by a Royal Scots Dragoon Guards piper.
A spok e sman for Sturgeon said the dinner was “effectively a Conservative party event” and that an invite wasn’t expected.