Nicola Sturgeon calls UK Government referral of Bills 'morally repugnant'
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill and the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill were passed in the weeks leading up to the parliamentary recess.
The UK Government has insisted the referral was not due to the substance of the Bills, but because of technical aspects which may place legal duties on UK ministers, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has described the move as “morally repugnant”.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBefore the passage of the Bill, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack wrote to the Deputy First Minister to ask for changes to be made to the children’s Bill, which was proposed by the Scottish Government.
No changes were made to the Bill, which aims to ensure no public body in Scotland can infringe upon the rights laid out in the charter, leading to its referral to the Supreme Court on Monday.
A spokeswoman for the UK Government said: “UK Government Law Officers have today referred two Bills from the Scottish Parliament to the Supreme Court under Section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998.
“The UK Government Law Officers’ concerns are not about the substance of the legislation, rather whether parts are outwith the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn a letter after the passage of the Bill, the Scottish Secretary said there were concerns it would place legal obligations on UK ministers in reserved areas.
Similar issues were expressed with the local government Bill, which was proposed by independent MSP Andy Wightman.
As the news broke, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attacked the move, taking to Twitter to say: “Jaw-dropping. The UK Tory government is going to Court to challenge a law passed by @scotparl unanimously.
“And for what? To protect their ability to legislate/act in ways that breach children’s rights in Scotland.
“Politically catastrophic, but also morally repugnant.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDeputy First Minister John Swinney also promised to fight the challenge, which he sought to paint as an attack on the rights of children.
“Not a single voice in the Parliament was raised against the Bill – it passed unanimously,” he said.
“And, crucially, it has been certified independently by the Presiding Officer as being within the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
“Now, the Tory Westminster Government is trying to veto those rights. That is not just morally repugnant, but it is also deeply menacing.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“The only people who need fear this Bill are people who want to breach children’s rights.
“The only people who want to block this Bill are people who know they are already breaking those rights.
“So, if the Tories want to target the rights of Scottish children, then they can expect to see us in court.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: ‘This delay to the legislation could easily have been avoided. Sadly, it appears the Scottish Government are more interested in stirring a constitutional row than getting the UNCRC bill into law at the first opportunity’
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.