Queen’s legal row turns SNP politicians against each other – party implodes on itself

Balmoral Castle: Expert discusses 'freedom' of royal estate

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

SNP led Scottish Government ministers amended the Heat Networks Bill which encourages the use of underground pipes to heat homes and buildings rather than fossil fuel-powered boilers. The Queen’s lawyers raised “concerns” about the law which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in March and requested a change exempting her land from measures to encourage greener energy.

The exemption to the Heat Networks Bill meant land owned by the royal household could not be subject to compulsory purchase orders without the Queen’s approval.

It was secured through a procedure known as Queen’s Consent, where the monarch is given sight of legislation that affects her interests.

Correspondence revealed in a Freedom of Information request between Buckingham Palace and the Scottish Government showed concerns were raised in January.

Documents also revealed Scottish Government did not disclose the monarch’s lobbying during a recent Scottish Parliamentary debate after an MSP asked why the Queen was securing an exemption from the bill.

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil questioned: “Surely the Scot Gov should be open with the public when the head of state of any country is looking for an advantage over the ordinary people of the country?”

But former Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse, who gave the queen’s consent about the bill hit back.

The former South Scotland MSP who was ousted from office in May’s election angrily took to Twitter and said: “Non We did NOT hide anything & it’s BS if folk implied I did.”

But he did stress that he did “understand folks’ frustrations.”

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon’s royal mistake could cost her electoral dominance

This afternoon, it has also emerged that the Scottish Parliament will look at whether to change the way it handles new legislation that has been changed to protect the Queen’s interests.

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman added: “The parliament will give consideration to how to make the signifying of crown consent more transparent.”

Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Health Secretary also admitted today the Scottish Government could ask The Queen for permission to publish royal household correspondence if there was public demand for it.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland Programme, he added: “We would have to obviously speak to the royal household about that, there would be implications in that respect.

DON’T MISS: 
Brits may face fish and chips shortage over Brexit red tape [LATEST] 
Brexit Britain to launch rockets from UK soil from first time [REVEAL] 
SNP slated over controversial pregnant ‘people’ tweet [INSIGHT]

“But of course if that’s something parliament, the public want us to do, to examine and explore that, then we will examine and explore that.”

Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.

Source: Read Full Article