Globetrotting no part of FM’S duties

SCARCELY is Angus Robertson back home from the Tartan Day celebrations in the United States than Nicola Sturgeon jets off to the US on a trip where she will discuss climate change, energy security and the war in Ukraine. Where these issues fit into her devolved responsibilities, which are once again neglected while she tries to make a mark in areas that are reserved to Westminster, remains unexplained.

The obvious explanation is that Ms Sturgeon is determined to behave in every way possible that suggests that Scotland is a separate polity from the UK. At the same time, she will doubtless try to impress on anyone who will listen how Scotland is victimised by the UK just for being Scotland – that appears to be the SNP’S message.

It is not enough that we taxpayers fund the Scottish Government’s nine overseas offices at a cost of £9 million a year. Just think of the Scottish children who could be raised out of poverty with that kind of money. We also fund the globetrotting exploits of our SNP ministers whose main mission is to gain international support for Scotland leaving the UK. As Ms Sturgeon says, “independence transcends everything” .

Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh.