THE Scottish Government will continue publishing independence white papers to prepare the case for a Scotland outside the Union, it has been confirmed.
Future publications of the white papers were in question on Thursday morning after First Minister John Swinney’s new governmental team saw the role of minister for independence scrapped.
The most recent white paper, which was focused on justice, was the 13th in the Building a New Scotland series.
However its publication was overshadowed by Humza Yousaf’s decision to end the ruling Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens, which was taken on the same day.
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: John Swinney cannot afford to treat independence as an afterthought
With a new SNP minority government under Swinney, there was a question of whether the papers would continue.
A Government spokesperson has now confirmed that they will, and they will be overseen by Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson as part of his brief.
The Scottish Government spokesperson said: “As the First Minister set out, work in the Constitution portfolio will continue to be taken forward by Angus Robertson.
“Working with Cabinet and the relevant portfolio ministers, in line with the clear mandate the Scottish Government has to provide the people of Scotland with the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, this will include the publication of upcoming papers in the Building a New Scotland series.”
In an article for The National, Swinney said a minister for independence was not necessary because all Scottish Government ministers would be working to advance the cause of independence.
He argued that “respectful persuasion” is what the independence movement needs to achieve a consensus across Scotland.
When they were first announced, the white paper series was intended to form the prospectus for an independent Scotland, addressing the huge potential an independent Scotland will have and the challenges that will be faced after a Yes vote.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said that they would help to provide “key evidence to support the informed, inclusive debate that people in Scotland deserve”.
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