Fisheries snub

It is disappointing to see that Conservative peer Lord Rupert Ponsonby de Mauley is to represent the UK at the latest round of European Union fisheries talks, which will underpin the management of North Sea key stocks and in which Scotland has the dominant interest.

The Scottish rural affairs secretary, Richard Lochhead, has been stopped having a direct voice at the talks, despite the Smith Commission pledge that Scotland should lead when it has the “predominant policy interest” and “when the relevant lead UK government minister is unable to attend”. (The UK minister for the marine environment, George Eustice is unable to attend.)

It is a clear snub to Scotland, which lands about 90 per cent of the UK catch, and the supposed respect agenda.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh