SNP LAUNCHES BROADSIDE ON SCOTLAND OFFICE.

SNP LAUNCHES BROADSIDE ON SCOTLAND OFFICE.

"MURPHY DROPPED THE BALL" SAYS ROBERTSON

The SNP has today (Tuesday) launched a broadside against the London-based Scotland Office accusing it of "dropping the ball" on key issues for Scotland.

Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson made the call as the Delegated Legislation Committee dealt with the Statutory Instrument on Spirits Duty. Referring to the UK government's whisky duty u-turn, he accused the Scotland Office of "preferring to issue press releases attacking the Scottish Government than delivering the best policies for Scotland".

During 2008 the UK Government announced the biggest duty rises on whisky in nearly 40 years. Following the Pre-Budget Report and subsequent outcry by the Scotch Whisky industry and the SNP, the UK Government announced a u-turn on its plans.

Today's meeting of the Delegated Legislation Committee dealt with the Statutory Instrument on Spirits Duty.

Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency contains more than half of Scotland's Malt whisky distilleries, told the Committee:

"In a harebrained scheme, the UK Government planned the biggest tax increase on one of our key industries in nearly 40 years.

"This must have been approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland in Cabinet and in advance discussions with the Treasury or it was overlooked. Either way the Scotland Office dropped the ball.

"Sadly Secretary of State Jim Murphy prefers to issue press releases attacking the Scottish Government rather than delivering the best policies for Scotland.

"This is a classic example of failing to deliver when it is actually his responsibility. Hopefully in future he will stand up for Scotland in the Cabinet rather than be the UK Cabinet's man in Scotland.”