UK-Scotland row over Erdogan meeting
A brewing row has erupted between the UK and Scottish governments after Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan without a British diplomat present as reported by BBC.
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, has prompted British Foreign Secretary David Cameron to threaten to withdraw support from the Scottish government in future foreign engagements.
Protocol Breach Sparks Tension
Under the devolution settlement of the United Kingdom, Scotland has limited autonomy in conducting its own international relations. While the Scottish government can engage with foreign officials on matters within its devolved powers, protocol dictates that such meetings must involve representatives from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Cameron, in a letter to Scottish Foreign Minister Angus Robertson, expressed his displeasure at the lack of FCDO presence at the meeting with Erdogan. "The absence of a Foreign Office official is contrary to protocol," Cameron wrote, adding that
Yousaf's Office Explains Absence "any further breaches of protocol [...] will result in the withholding of the department's assistance in arranging the meeting and logistical support."
A spokesperson for Yousaf's office responded by stating that FCDO officials were notified of the meeting and invited to attend. However, they emphasized the spontaneous nature of such "sideline" meetings and the frequent last-minute changes to schedules. In this particular case, the spokesperson explained, the FCDO representative was unable to attend at a time convenient for President Erdogan.
Scottish Government Unfazed
A source within the Scottish government told the BBC that they believe Cameron is overreacting to the situation. "We can't tell the president: 'You can wait a second while we find our escort,'" the source said.
This incident adds to the growing tension between the UK and Scottish governments, particularly in the context of the ongoing Scottish independence referendum. Some critics have accused the UK government of attempting to undermine the referendum process.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
