Sturgeon: We will set up a spy network
Security service pledge by Deputy First Minister
ANindependent Scotland would have its own security service to fight international threats such as terrorism, cyber attacks and serious organised crime, the Deputy First Minister has told a Westminster committee.
The Scottish Government would seek to establish its own intelligence agency while working closely with agencies in the rest of the UK, including MI5 and MI6, Nicola Sturgeon told the Foreign Affairs Committee at a meeting in Edinburgh.
She stated the Government was undertaking work regarding the set-up and running costs of such an operation.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I would envisage Scotland having an independent domestic intelligence machinery sitting alongside our police service – but working very closely with the rest of the UK,” she said.
The UK’s security services cost around £2 billion a year to operate and former soldier and diplomat Rory Stewart – who represents Penrith in the North of England – questioned whether the Scottish Government had given sufficient detailed planning to the implications of independence for intelligence and international representation.
Ms Sturgeon opened to polite exchanges with committee convener Richard Ottaway but the meeting covered familiar ground, with MPs such as Liberal Democrat member Menzies Campbell pressing her on legal advice regarding the requirement for Scotland to apply for membership of the European Union as a new state.
Mr Ottaway alluded to The Herald’s coverage of Whitehall speculation that Scotland was painting itself into a corner on EU negotiations because of the 19 months between the likely date of the referendum and the first planned election of a independent parliament.
However, Ms Sturgeon insisted: “We would inherit a share of our liabilities and also inherit all treaty negotiations.”
She was asked how many such treaties there were. Several thousand, replied Ms Sturgeon. Mr Ottaway pointed out there were 14,000.
Labour member Frank Roy pinned Ms Sturgeon on past claims that admission to the EU would be automatic. She replied any negotiations would be “around the terms of our continuing membership”.
Tory Eurosceptic MP John Baron raised the issue of worldwide diplomatic representation – pointing out the UK had 270 embassies, high commissions and other missions around the world.
He said: “I question your
It would not just be in Scotland’s interests to share intelligence with the rest of the UK, but in the UK’s interests as well
assertion that the SNP could do a better job. You haven’t come up with anything concrete to show that.
“Scotland could not match the UK’s diplomatic and trade footprint.”
Ms Sturgeon said smaller countries focused in different ways on their strengths and areas of promotion and Scotland proposed to concentrate on emerging markets.
She said Britain’s network of embassies were a legacy of empire and pointed out the UK was currently in discussion with Canada on sharing diplomatic missions.
Mr Stewar t pressed Ms Sturgeon on how an independent Scotland could match the global reach of Britain’s network of embassies and its world-class security system.
“We are doing a substantial piece of work on this just now,” she said, adding she would be happy to discuss this with the committee once it was published. She said: “It would not just be in Scotland’s interests to share intelligence with the rest of the UK, but in the interests of the rest of the UK as well.”
Mr Stewart said: “It is difficult for me to say that you have fully thought this through.”
He claimed it was not just a question of £2bn to run the intelligence services, but the enormous start-up costs Scotland would have to pay to create a new system.
Conservative member Sir John Stanley pressed her on whether a Scottish Government might accept a financial deal to retain the nuclear base at Faslane. She replied: “The position that we want Trident removed from Scotland is nonnegotiable. As a responsible neighbour we would seek to do it in a speedy and safe way.”