European think-tank? We’ve only met once and won’t write a report
AN expert panel set up by Nicola Sturgeon to offer advice on the Government’s response to Brexit has not considered any proposals and won’t produce a final report or make any recommendations.
The First Minister formed the Standing Council on Europe, containing 18 specialists in legal, financial, business and diplomatic matters, days after the vote to consider ‘all of the options open to Scotland to secure our relationship with the EU’.
But one of the members of the group has revealed it has only met once. David Frost, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: ‘Discussions are confidential but we’ve only had the one meeting. The First Minister set the framework in policy and I would say we had a sort of “get to know you” discussion and not much more than that at this stage. It was the day that Prime Minister May came into office, so there were many things that were uncertain.’
Confirming that no further meetings are currently planned, he added: ‘What the First Minister said in parliament, which she again said to us, is we are there to provide advice. Nobody is expected to fit into a particular policy line – it is genuine advice about the negotiation as it develops.
‘We will have our say but I am not myself expecting reports from us to Government. I don’t think it is that type of group.’
Mr Frost had warned before the EU referendum that remaining part of the single market was crucial to the whisky industry. But he now says it will be able to deal with Brexit, adding: ‘France is our biggest market by volume and I don’t see any reason that will change. People still want to buy Scotch – that is very clear – and I am sure we will carry on selling it.
‘We are not catastrophists about this. Obviously, some things will get more difficult and we will have to adapt. But the industry has been around a long time and I don’t see that Brexit is going to affect our ability to sell Scotch.’
Miss Sturgeon has held meetings with European leaders and has insisted she is exploring every option regarding Scotland’s future in the EU and the UK. But the revelation that none of them have been discussed with her advisers led to criticism last night.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘The hurried creation of this body was a stunt. As expected, it’s going to contribute nothing and was established to create the impression Nicola Sturgeon was doing something.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The council is a vital source of expert advice as we seek to protect Scotland’s interests in the EU. The members are already active in providing advice, both individually and collectively.’