A “FIERY” meeting has taken place between Scotland’s social justice minister and Suella Braverman over proposals to decriminalise all drugs for personal use, according to the Home Office.
The Scottish Government announced the plans on Friday aimed at helping to tackle Scotland’s high drug death rates, which also include a framework for the creation of safe consumption rooms and the consideration of implementing the regulated supply of drugs.
However, within just an hour of the announcement, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman had dismissed the calls to overhaul or devolve the legislation involved, which is reserved to Westminster.
READ MORE: Peter Krykant: Scotland must act on drug deaths even if the UK won’t
In a meeting with Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville on Tuesday, the Home Secretary reiterated the UK Government’s stance and argued the Scottish Government’s proposals to decriminalise drugs for personal use would do “untold damage to our neighbourhoods”.
A spokesman for Somerville hit back, saying it was disappointing to see the proposals rejected again in such a "high-handed manner".
A readout of the meeting provided by the Home Office described the meeting as “fiery”.
“To be clear this government will not be changing our policy on personal use of illegal drugs,” Braverman said at the London meeting.
“I am very clear that illegal drugs destroy lives and communities – they are devastating.
“The proposals I read from the Scottish National Party last week are irresponsible and would do untold damage to our neighbourhoods.
“We’re focused on protecting people and preventing lives from being ruined, targeting gangs and preventing supply of drugs from overseas.
READ MORE: SNP MP slams Tories for undermining Scotland's drug decriminalisation bid
“We’ve absolutely no intention of decriminalising illegal drug use and I think the Scottish National Party should focus their efforts on what powers they do have such as reforming health outcomes for the Scottish people.
“Drug deaths are still a huge problem in Scotland and this government is keen to work together to try to tackle that problem and prevent the very levels of drug deaths in Scotland.”
According to the readout, Sommerville said the two Governments would always “fundamentally disagree” on drugs.
Scotland has had the highest level of drug-related deaths in Western Europe in recent years, with 1330 recorded in 2021 – the latest data set – and the Scottish Government is looking to more radical approaches to stem the tide.
A spokesman for Somerville said: “It is disappointing to see well-evidenced proposals once again being rejected in such a high-handed manner, without the UK Government even having gone to the bother of giving them proper consideration.
“This is a serious issue, and we all agree on the need to save lives and reduce harm – which we believe is best done by treating this as a public health issue.
“Westminster is out of touch with the general public, who rightly expect a mature and open-minded debate about the right way forward.
“The Scottish Government is ready and willing to work constructively with the UK Government, the political parties at Holyrood and of course stakeholders more widely to make progress.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel