FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has hit out at the "childish and pathetic" Foreign Office after it denied support to Scotland for her visit to Brussels.
Foreign Office officials are typically involved in helping to organise her trips abroad, arranging meetings and providing accreditation for buildings she visits.
A report in the Daily Telegraph reported that Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Scottish Government his officials would provide no help as Sturgeon met European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
Asked if the Foreign Office had refused support, the First Minister said: "Apparently, I understand that's the Foreign Office position. It's pretty childlish and pathetic if that is the case.
"It's not causing me to lose any sleep. It's not making any real practical difference to my meetings here today, but I do think it offers a bit of a window into just what's going on in the Conservative Party right now, where they're not only ignoring Scotland's interests, but they're trying to undermine the Scottish Government in standing up for those interests.
"It's quite a remarkable and extraordinary state of affairs."
FM @NicolaSturgeon says @foreignoffice approach is “pretty childish and pathetic” pic.twitter.com/MUVo0rW38A
— Glenn Campbell (@GlennBBC) 11 June 2019
A spokesperson for the UK Government confirmed that it had withheld support.
They said: "The UK Government's extensive network of diplomatic staff regularly provide support to the UK's devolved administrations for visits relating to areas for which they have a devolved responsibility. However a balance must be struck to avoid supporting activities intended to campaign for policies contrary to HMG's position.
"On this occasion, the Foreign Secretary has requested that the Scottish Government provide its own logistical support for this visit.
"As a responsible Government, we must be certain that our effort and resources overseas are focused on furthering the objectives of Her Majesty's Government."
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