It was a scene that announced Nicola Sturgeon had well and truly arrived in the heart of political America.

Pictures of the First Minister speaking amid the cast-iron walkways of the elegant Riggs Library at Georgetown University in Washington DC made the news on both sides of the Atlantic.

It kicked off a five-day trip to the US and Canada in early February on which Ms Sturgeon promoted Scottish businesses to the locals and advocated Scotland as a place for foreign firms to trade and invest.

The subject of independence also came up in numerous media interviews, leading to criticism at Holyrood that taxpayer money was being spent to promote a political agenda.

EXCLUSIVE: Nicola Sturgeon sets sights on bigger role in ‘global issues’

But what was unknown at home, and undeclared by Ms Sturgeon, was that this was the first public outing for the newly christened “Government of Scotland in North America”.

A fortnight before the First Minister arrived in the US capital, her Scottish Affairs counsellor in the States signed a memorandum of understanding with the Clyde Group public relations agency to help the Scottish Government take a “more direct role in global issues”.

A Clyde rep was  also in the Riggs Library, posting on social media that it had been great to hear the FM speak about Brexit “and Scotland’s future”.

Ms Sturgeon wants that future to play out to a bigger audience than ever before. 

According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, the Government of Scotland in North America was registered as a so-called “foreign principal” on January 28.

It did so under the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which covers foreign governments, parties and organisations trying to influence US public opinion, policy and law.

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Scotland’s main business quangos are already registered under FARA – Scottish Enterprise since 1979 and Scottish Development International since 2012.

However the Scottish Government has never been registered, until now.
The memorandum of understanding shows its interests range well beyond the business sphere into the overtly political.

The document, which has been obtained by The Herald, states: “The Scottish Government has recognised a need to be more vocal and present internationally – speaking up and having a more direct role in global issues. The timing is ideal. As a progressive government voice, Scotland can chart a distinct path and position themselves (sic) as a core leader in the international community across business innovation, climate, social policies and more.”

It adds that with “the Trump presidency, a conflicted Congress… Brexit at home, and an array of local political and business opportunities, the timing is ideal to re-engage with diverse stakeholders and deliver Scotland’s message to American audiences”.

Headed by Alex Slater, a respected Democrat-leaning communications strategist originally from Edinburgh, Clyde’s other clients include Nissan, MIT and the Special Olympics. 

It has so far agreed to work as the Government’s agent from January 21 until June 30 on a “pro bono basis”, except for “out of pocket expenses”. 

The memorandum says Clyde’s primary goal will be to “design and support the execution of an engagement platform” letting the Government reach priority US audiences and raise the “share of voice and influence of Scottish interests in the United States”.

Tasks include  a “stakeholder mapping brainstorm with the Scottish Affairs Office team”, and the presentation of research and recommendations to the Scottish Government.

The memorandum was signed by Joni Smith, head of the Scottish Government office in Washington DC, who was appointed by Ms Sturgeon in 2017
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “This is Nicola Sturgeon yet again straying into territory well beyond the competency of the Scottish Government.

“She should not be duplicating the work of the UK Government when the SNP has made such a mess of schools and hospitals here – that’s where her priorities should lie. Many will look at these trips and conclude this is more about Nicola Sturgeon’s retirement plan than boosting Scotland’s economy.”

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An SNP source added: “I think she’s wangling for some sort of UN role long-term. If a charity like the Rockefeller Foundation pitched up and said, ‘Here’s your retirement plan’, I think she’d go for that too. She’s competent, but she wants to be seen as a thinker.

“It seems she wants to be seen as a sort of Hillary Clinton-type figure.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “This is in line with our work to enhance Scotland’s reputation and promote it as the best place to live, work, study, invest and visit – and has nothing to do with Scotland’s constitutional future.”