CRUCIAL talks on Scotland’s fiscal framework went “Hands-free” yesterday as the Treasury’s chief negotiator, Greg Hands, ignored the looming deadline to jet off on holiday to France.
Scottish politicians from all parties seemed genuinely gobsmacked by the decision of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to abandon his post less than a week before the two governments need to make a deal.
Sheepish officials from George Osborne’s department put out a statement saying the minister was ready to fly back if there was “a substantial move” from the Scottish Government.
A spokesman for the First Minister pointed out that Hands had not even responded to a proposal submitted by the Scottish Government last week, and that John Swinney had already offered to go to London this week to do whatever was required “to thrash out a deal”.
Nicola Sturgeon’s spokesman said the Scottish Government was questioning whether Westminster was treating the framework seriously.
“This beggars belief,” he said.
“Having secured an extra week for negotiations, the Deputy First Minister offered to clear his diary to go to London on Monday and do whatever was required during this week to thrash out a deal.
“We now find out that the reason a Monday meeting was not agreed to is that the UK Government’s chief negotiator has gone on holiday to France – before even having the courtesy to respond to the revised proposal submitted by the Scottish Government last week.”
The spokesman added: “It is time for the UK Government to decide whether they are really serious about reaching a deal. Otherwise, they will stand accused of breaking their vow.” Swinney and the Treasury minister made an unscheduled phone call yesterday after news of Hands’ holiday emerged.
A spokeswoman for the UK Government said the phone call showed a “willingness to engage”.
“The Chief Secretary spoke with the Deputy First Minister on the phone this morning and covered a number of substantive issues, which shows yet again our willingness to engage with and listen to the Scottish Government,” she said. “The UK Government is absolutely committed to implementing the Smith Agreement in full. We have shown we are willing to compromise in these negotiations and have gone the extra mile.”
The spokeswoman also insisted that the UK Government had “moved a long way towards meeting the Scottish Government’s concerns”.
Pete Wishart, chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster was perplexed by Hands’ absence. He said: “We’ve got till Friday to get a deal and you would have thought that would be sole and exclusive concern for the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.”
Wishart said the absence of the Tory Minister did not leave him confident that a deal could be reached. He said: “I think we’re a long, long way off. My committee heard from both governments. My sense was that they are a long way away and nothing I’ve seen in the last couple of weeks has made me any more confident that an arrangement could be met.”
Labour’s Ian Murray called for David Cameron to get involved, saying: “The fiscal framework is vital to delivering the Scotland Bill, so it beggars belief that Greg Hands thought he could take a holiday at this crucial stage in the negotiations.
“If the Treasury won’t take this seriously, David Cameron must get involved. Both governments must do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to reach an agreement.”
SNP chief executive Peter Murrell tweeted: “Everything you need to know about the Tory attitude to Scotland, clock ticking on fiscal framework deal and Treasury boss is on his holidays.”
One Scottish Conservative told The National: “I’m sympathetic to a politician getting a break, especially when, like Greg, they work hard and have young kids on school holidays, but this was a stupid thing to do. It’s an easy hit for the SNP.”
Talks between the two governments have stalled over the interpretation of the “no detriment” principle laid out by the Smith Commission.
Last week’s deadline was pushed back to February 23. Holyrood’s devolution committee says that is the latest date that will allow them time to scrutinise the Bill properly.
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