Labour and Conservative MPs were last night accused of not coming to terms with the SNP administration in Scotland after a clash at Westminster.
As Richard Lochhead, Holyrood's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, prepared to meet Ben Bradshaw, the Fisheries Minister, in Whitehall today, a spat broke out in the Commons following the first meeting between Linda Fabiani, Scotland's new Europe Minister, and Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary.
Shortly after the Joint Ministerial Committee on Europe took place, chaired by Ms Beckett and attended by Ms Fabiani, Angus Robertson, the SNP leader at Westminster, raised the issue at Commons question-time and asked the Foreign Secretary which discussed matters would be taken forward. At this point, a Labour back bencher shouted: "Who cares?", to which MPs on both sides began laughing.
Mr Robertson, the MP for Moray, later berated Labour and Conservative MPs, saying: "It is sadly unsurprising that Labour and Tory MPs, who both lost in the Scottish elections, have not come to terms with the new reality of an SNP government. Everybody who cares about getting a good deal for Scotland in Europe would be appalled by the behaviour of the Unionist MPs."
Ian Davidson, the Labour MP for Glasgow South West, hit back, saying: "The SNP are clearly intent on trying to draw as many arguments as possible between Scotland and Westminster and are constantly trying to magnify any disagreement even when few can be found. The sooner they participate in real debates rather than trying to foment dissent the better for Scotland."
Today, there is potential for more disagreement as Mr Lochhead is expected to raise with Mr Bradshaw the issue of him attending the top table at next week's European Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, given that two-thirds of fisheries matters emanate from Scotland. Mr Bradshaw is likely to tell Mr Lochhead that only one minister can negotiate for Britain and that person is himself.
Following the JMC on Europe, Ms Fabiani said she was very pleased to attend it: "Scotland deserves a strong voice in Europe and I reassured the Foreign Secretary that we will work constructively with the UK minister to achieve this."
Elsewhere, the Prime Minister's spokesman was again asked if Tony Blair had contacted First Minister Alex Salmond since it is now almost five weeks since the Holyrood elections. The spokesman said he was unaware any conversation had taken place.
Asked if the lack of contact with the First Minister represented a snub to Scotland, he said: "What's important is that the normal processes of government continue." He added: "The Prime Minister's diary has been rather full."
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