TORY Brexit minister David Davis has been summoned to a Holyrood committee following claims he repeatedly refused invitations to attend because he was "too busy".
SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said she was "deeply disappointed" Davis had not attended the Scottish Parliament's European committee, on which she serves as convenor.
She said Davis, as the senior UK minister for Brexit, should come to Holyrood to answer "serious concerns" from MSPs about the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. However, she said the Tory cabinet minister could give evidence via video conference rather than in person, if it meant MSPs would be able to quiz him before EU withdrawal negotiations begin.
McAlpine said Davis had failed to speak to MSPs despite assurances from his officials and Scottish Secretary David Mundell that he would attend the committee.
Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, also came under fire over an offer to send a junior colleague, the Minister of State, David Jones, in his place.
McAlpine, in a letter to Davis, said: "I am deeply disappointed that we have not received a formal response to this correspondence.
"Despite oral assurances from your officials and Mr Mundell that you would be willing to appear before the Committee, the former have now indicated that you are too busy and suggested that the Minister of State, David Jones MP, appear in your place.
"Should it be helpful to give evidence via video conference rather than in person at the Scottish Parliament, the Committee would be amenable to this. I therefore ask that your office gets in touch with the clerks to the Committee as soon as possible in order to arrange a suitable date.”
A Department for Exiting the European Union spokesperson, in response, said: "The Secretary of State for Scotland has appeared at Holyrood and the UK Government will continue to engage appropriately."
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