Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander faced accusations of “banal point scoring” after he informed MPs that King Charles played a pivotal role in securing the deal that led to President Donald Trump scrapping tariffs on Scotch whisky.
King Charles's Direct Discussions with Trump
Appearing before Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee, Alexander stated that “direct discussions” between King Charles and President Trump were instrumental in the tariff removal. He said, “On the whisky deal, ultimately we worked very closely with the Palace, and I wouldn’t want to share too much information on that, but it is right and reasonable to give very generous tribute to the work His Majesty the King did. Essentially he led on the direct discussions with the president during the state visit that took place in April, when the King and Queen were present in Washington.”
President Trump announced the abolition of Scotch whisky tariffs at the conclusion of the state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla to Washington DC in April 2025. Alexander added that while the King was “dealing directly with the president,” UK negotiators handled discussions with US officials, describing this as “a very powerful coming together.”
SNP Challenges Alexander's Account
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan challenged Alexander’s version of events, asserting that Scottish First Minister John Swinney had played a “central role” in the whisky deal. Doogan told the Scottish Secretary, “I’ve heard your version of events, but slightly jarring with that is where President Trump said John Swinney had worked very hard, he tweeted ‘congratulations John, you were a big part of my thinking.’ The Scotch Whisky Association credited the First Minister for his leadership in this issue, and against that backdrop and those actual facts you as the Secretary of State accuse the First Minister essentially of lying, or misrepresenting what had gone on with the Scotch whisky tariffs.”
Doogan asked Alexander, “Wouldn’t it have been better for you in your position just to let it slide, rather than engage in that banal point scoring.”
Alexander Reveals No Meeting with Swinney
The exchanges also revealed that Alexander has not met Swinney since becoming Scottish Secretary in September 2025. Alexander said, “I contacted the First Minister when I was appointed Secretary of State and asked to meet at his convenience, but that invitation was not accepted. And he has not accepted the offer to meet at any point during my time as Secretary of State for Scotland.”
Alexander noted that he had also contacted Swinney to congratulate him after the SNP won May’s Holyrood elections and “reiterated that offer to meet with him,” but he said he had not yet received a reply from the First Minister to his “earnest and genuine offer.” Doogan countered that the First Minister has a “long standing policy” of only engaging with the Prime Minister at UK Government level.
Divergence Over Independence Referendum
Alexander also told MPs there had been a “divergence of views” when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Swinney after his Scottish Parliament election victory. According to Alexander, the Scottish Government “briefed out immediately after the call the Prime Minister had agreed to discuss independence and a referendum.” However, Alexander insisted this was not the case. He said, “I wasn’t on the phone call but I have seen the official minute of the call and the Prime Minister was very clear that we were adhering to our manifesto we had set out ahead of July 2024, in which we stated we oppose independence but we also oppose a further independence referendum.”
