The Home Office has ignited a major political row after refusing to send officials to Inverness for a crucial meeting with Scottish ministers, forcing Scotland's Justice Secretary to undertake a 500-mile round trip to Edinburgh instead.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney launched a scathing attack on the UK government department, branding the situation "completely unacceptable" and revealing that Home Office officials had declined to travel north for discussions with Angela Constance.
Minister's Marathon Journey for Meeting
The controversy emerged after Ms Constance, Scotland's Justice Secretary, was compelled to make the lengthy journey from Inverness to Edinburgh and back again - a total distance of nearly 1,000 miles - simply because Home Office representatives wouldn't make the trip to the Highlands.
Mr Swinney didn't mince his words when addressing the Scottish Parliament, stating: "I think it is completely unacceptable that the Home Office would not send officials to meet the Scottish Justice Secretary in Inverness."
Growing Tensions in Intergovernmental Relations
This incident highlights the escalating tensions between the Scottish and UK governments, particularly concerning how officials conduct intergovernmental relations. The First Minister emphasised that such behaviour "is not the way in which the Scottish Government should be treated."
The refusal has raised serious questions about the Home Office's commitment to meaningful engagement with devolved administrations, especially when it involves ministers based outside the central belt of Scotland.
Broader Implications for Scottish Representation
This isn't an isolated incident in the complex relationship between Edinburgh and Westminster. The travel demand comes amid ongoing disputes over various policy areas where Scottish and UK government responsibilities intersect.
Political analysts suggest this episode could further strain cooperation between the two governments at a time when effective collaboration is crucial for addressing shared challenges affecting communities across Scotland, including those in more remote areas like the Highlands.
The Scottish Government has made clear its expectation that UK ministers and officials should be willing to engage directly with Scottish ministers regardless of their location within Scotland, arguing that proper representation shouldn't be limited to the capital cities.
