Independence civil servant role defended
The Evening News revealed yesterday how the new director general for strategy and external affairs will be paid a six-figure salary to press the SNP’s case for more economic and tax powers. Opposition politicians said it sounded like creating a department for independence.
But a Scottish Government source said since the civil service is a reserve responsibility, the new post was approved by a Whitehall committee headed by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell.
The source added: “We are very well served north and south of the border by a professional and independent civil service which carries forward the policies of the duly elected government.”