John Swinney, the leader of the SNP, made it clear that he will not be engaging with Sue Gray in her new role as envoy for the nations and regions. In an interview on BBC Newsnight, Swinney emphasized that he expects to have a direct relationship with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Gray’s appointment as envoy has caused controversy, with politicians from both the SNP and the Tory party questioning the necessity of the role. Chris Law, an SNP MP, criticized the appointment, calling it a reflection of a “colonial mindset.”
Despite the backlash, Gray is expected to fulfill her duties as envoy. However, it was reported that she will not be attending the inaugural meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh. Downing Street has not provided any comments on Gray’s absence from the event.
Swinney reiterated that while his officials will work with any UK Government representatives, he personally expects to communicate directly with the Prime Minister. He emphasized that he will not be going through envoys to establish communication channels.
The controversy surrounding Gray’s appointment highlights the tensions between different political parties and the challenges of intergovernmental relations. It remains to be seen how Gray’s role as envoy will unfold in the coming days and whether it will facilitate effective communication between the UK Government and the devolved nations.
