RICHARD Lochhead, the Scottish Government's fisheries minister, is expected in Brussels today determined to take part in key talks on deep-sea quotas, in spite of Westminster insisting he will be locked out of the meetings.
The UK Government has nominated junior minister Lord de Mauley - who has no experience or previous remit on fisheries - to take part in the talks.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This encapsulates everything that is wrong with the UK Government's attitude to Scotland and Europe.
"David Cameron is breaking his personal assurance that where Scotland's interests are at stake Scottish ministers can play a full part in EU meetings.
"This decision makes a mockery of the Prime Minister's last-ditch attempts in the referendum to pretend that Scotland is an equal part of this family of nations.
"David Cameron is risking yet another farcical European outcome by sending a lord with no knowledge of Scotland's fisheries industry to negotiate on an important issue for Scotland instead of allowing a Cabinet secretary with seven years of experience to take the lead.
"As far as Scotland in Europe is concerned, David Cameron is stuck on a twin track of arrogance and incompetence.
"Richard Lochhead will be in Brussels and the Prime Minister must see sense and allow him to lead these important fisheries talks."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The government takes its responsibility to act for all parts of the UK extremely seriously.
"We have consistently and successfully worked with the Scottish Government."
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