Latest news with #GoodMorningScotland
The National
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Labour minister grilled over Gaza in tense BBC interview
Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, was quizzed on the mid-recess cabinet meeting that has been called to discuss Gaza and Palestinian statehood on Tuesday's edition of Good Morning Scotland. Kyle said Keir Starmer had been 'intensely moved and disturbed' by images coming from the enclave but defended the continued sale of arms to Israel. READ MORE: LIVE: Donald Trump meets John Swinney on final day of Scotland trip The presenter challenged the timing of the UK Government's reaction, asking why it had taken Starmer so long to be moved given how long the Palestinian genocide has been going on for. Kyle pushed back firmly, saying Starmer has been 'deeply, deeply moved and disturbed by what he has seen,' insisting the Prime Minister had already taken 'incredible action' by working with international partners by recognising the International Criminal Court and sanctioning figures, including members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government and individuals in the West Bank. However, the presenter referenced earlier comments from the SNP's Stephen Gethins, who pointed out the UK Government continues to supply arms to Israel – including parts of F-35 fighter jets. Kyle squirmed as he responded, insisting arms sales were 'under constant review' and claiming that 'British law is applied equally to all areas and all territories'. READ MORE: John Swinney to call for 'immediate' constitutional convention on independence The presenter suggested Labour's pledge to recognise Palestinian statehood – which Starmer continues to drag his heels on despite growing pressure from his own MPs – was nothing more than an 'empty gesture'. Kyle retorted: 'I'm saying nothing of the sort … what we are trying to do is deliver a statehood that has meaning.' Asked repeatedly when Labour would fulfil the commitment, Kyle refused to provide a timeframe, saying: 'What you're asking me to do is to release the contents of a meeting that hasn't happened yet.'
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Scottish Secretary to give Donald Trump ‘warm welcome'
Ian Murray, Labour's Scottish Secretary, has said Donald Trump will receive 'a warm welcome' when he arrives in Scotland, despite previously calling for a state visit by the US president to be blocked. Mr Murray was an opposition MP in 2019 when he supported a parliamentary motion stating that Mr Trump, then in his first term as president, should not be offered a state visit to the UK, citing his 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia'. In an interview on BBC's Good Morning Scotland show on Thursday, Mr Murray defended his past comments and said it was the 'duty' of the Labour Government to ensure foreign dignitaries were welcomed 'in the right way'. Opposition politicians seized on Mr Murray's 'U-turn' and accused him of taking the public 'for fools'. Andrew Bowie, the shadow Scottish secretary, said: 'He had no credible explanation for his complete U-turn on the importance of President Trump visiting this country. 'I'm glad that Ian Murray has belatedly recognised how vital it is for Scotland to welcome, and work constructively with, the US president – but he'd have more credibility if he put his hands up and owned his past juvenile opportunism. 'No wonder the public are turned off by politics and politicians when they hear the Scottish Secretary trying to take them for fools.' Mr Trump is set to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day visit, where he is expected to visit his golf courses at Turnberry in Ayrshire, and Menie in Aberdeenshire. He will formally open the new 18-hole links MacLeod Course at Menie, named after his Lewis-born mother, Mary MacLeod. Mr Trump will also meet Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister. During his BBC interview, Mr Murray was challenged over his support for an early day motion, tabled in the Commons six years ago, that called on then-prime minister Theresa May to rescind the offer of an official state visit to Mr Trump during his first term. The motion, backed by 106 MPs, 'deplored' Mr Trump's record 'including his previous comments on women, refugees and torture and 'condemned' his 'lack of action on climate change and failure to support the Paris climate change deal'. Asked if his view had changed since then, Mr Murray said there was 'global interest' in preserving the relationship between the UK and US. He told the programme: 'The long historic ties, cultural ties, economic ties between the US and the UK, we are the closest allies in the world and we have to make sure we are working together for the benefit of our national interest and the benefit of the global interest as well. Mr Murray also hinted at a potential meeting with the US president but said it had not yet been confirmed, adding: 'My predecessor, David Mundell, met with the president when he last landed in Scotland. 'It's a duty for us to make sure that we are welcoming foreign dignitaries to Scotland in the right way, particularly one that's our closest and nearest ally, both economically and [in] defence and security, and there's lots to talk about, of course.' Mr Trump's visit to Scotland comes after activists placed at his golf course a placard that claimed the luxury resort was 'twinned with Epstein Island' and is expected to be met by protests at his resorts and in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Police from England and Northern Ireland are being drafted in to support Police Scotland amid concerns raised by the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, that policing will be 'seriously affected'. Mr Swinney said this week that Mr Trump's time in Scotland would not put policing in a 'detrimental position'. The US president is due to return to the UK in September on a formal state visit during which he and his wife, Melania, will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Ian Murray hints at meeting Donald Trump in Scotland visit
It comes despite a previous motion submitted by the then-opposition MP in 2019, which stated that Trump should not be offered a state visit to the UK, citing his "misogynism, racism and xenophobia". The US president is set to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day visit, where he is expected to visit his golf courses at Turnberry in Ayrshire, and Menie in Aberdeenshire. US president Donald Trump Trump will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during his trip. On Thursday, Scotland Secretary Ian Murray hinted that he will also be meeting with Trump, as he defended previous comments he had made about the US president. READ MORE: Scottish policing will be 'seriously affected' by Trump visit, says police body Appearing on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme on Thursday, Murray was asked whether he would be meeting with Trump. Murray replied: "Well, it's expected, but not fully confirmed as yet. The details are obviously being worked out. "My predecessor, the Secretary of State David Mundell, met with the president when he last landed in Scotland. "It's a duty for us to make sure that we are welcoming foreign dignitaries to Scotland in the right way, particularly one that's our closest and nearest ally, both economically and defence and security, and there's lots to talk about, of course. "So it's expected but not fully confirmed at this stage." Ian Murray MP (Image: PA) Murray was then asked whether Scotland should be welcoming Trump "with open arms". He replied: "Well, the long historic ties, economic ties, cultural ties between the US and the UK – we are the closest allies in the world, and we have to make sure that we are working together for the benefit of our national interest, but the benefit of the global interest as well. "So it's really important for the UK and the US to continue that close relationship and that historic relationship." READ MORE: Amnesty calls on John Swinney to stand up to 'authoritarian' Donald Trump He was interrupted and asked again: "I just wonder if it's a warm welcome, if it's a welcome with open arms to the US president?" Murray said: "Well, it's in our national interest to work as closely as possible with the United States. "It's very much in our national interest and therefore, if it's in our national interest, we should be making sure that we're welcoming people when they arrive in Scotland." The journalist repeats the question again: "I just wanted to ask again, is it a warm welcome? Is it a welcome with open arms?" "Well, of course it's a warm welcome," Murray responds. "We would always have a warm welcome, and the president of the United States and the office of the United States and the office of the Prime Minister are ones that work very, very closely together and should do because it's in the national interest to do so. "And we should make sure those relationships are in place because it's important for our defence, our security, our economies, for jobs. "And it's really important for the finer details of the US trade deal that's been done." Murray was then asked about the EDM motion he submitted in 2019, which called for the previous UK government to withdraw its offer of a full state visit to Donald Trump. In the motion, Murray condemned Trump's record on a number of issues, including his "misogynism, racism and xenophobia", his previous comments on women, refugees and torture, and his "lack of action" on climate change. READ MORE: 'Twinned with Epstein Island' sign put up at Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course The motion was backed by several Labour MPs who are now prominent figures in Keir Starmer's Government, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. When asked what had "changed" between 2019 and now, Murray said: "Well, what's changed is that it's really important for both countries to work together, governments have to work together. "Given the US is our closest ally, given we have just done the trade agreement with them to remove tariffs for the benefit of UK and Scottish businesses, and given the global events at the moment, it's really, really important for these historic ties to work together with our closest allies, and that's what we're intending to do." The journalist then asked: "Was that not important in 2019?" Murray said: "It's really important for governments to work together, it's really important for the offices of the Prime Minister and the United States to work together because it's in our national interest to do so." Murray was then asked again: "But it was important in 2019, wasn't it, for the governments to work together? I just wonder what's changed in that time?" He said: "Well, the important thing here is that what has changed is the basis of having to work together with our allies. "Being in government gives us the responsibility to do that–" Murray was interrupted by the journalist who said: "Because you're in government, that's what's changed?" He replied: "Well, what has changed is that both governments have to work together. "People see the benefit of that, they see the benefit of the global instability of allies working together with the closest defence and security allies across the world. "And we have to make sure that we're nurturing those relationships and continue that strong historic relationship for the benefit of the people in this country." READ MORE: 'Wake up, America!': Alan Cumming hits out at Donald Trump over trans attack The journalist repeated the question: "Forgive me for asking that again, that was the case in 2019 though, so I just wanted to ask you again, what's changed? "Have you changed your view about president Trump or has he changed compared to when you signed that motion in 2019?" Murray said: "Well, the bottom line here is that governments have to work together for the benefit of the national interest, and that's what we're intending to do with the state visit, but also with the visit that's happening this weekend, and also with the trade deal that's been done with the US. "It's really important for the US and the UK to work together and we'll continue to do so." Murray previously said that he would "meet Donald Trump off the plane" when he visits Scotland. He was criticised by the SNP, who called his change in position "disgraceful" and that "he has abandoned almost every principle he once claimed to champion".
South Wales Guardian
16-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer has worked to ‘cultivate' relationship with Trump, says minister
With Mr Trump having said he will meet Sir Keir in Aberdeen later this month during a private visit to Scotland, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said holding talks with the president is the 'right thing to do'. He said US tariffs and the situation in Ukraine could be on the agenda for those discussions. Scottish First Minister John Swinney will also meet the president – who recently voiced his support for the oil and gas sector over wind power projects. In a BBC News interview, Mr Trump hailed Aberdeen as the 'oil capital' of Europe and said 'they should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil'. Mr Trump also said he and Sir Keir will 'refine' the recent trade deal struck between the UK and the US. The agreement reduced tariffs on car and aerospace imports, but questions remain over whether steel imports into America will face 50% tariffs. There is also a baseline tariff of 10% for most other imports – with the Scotch whisky industry now said to be pushing for this to be lowered. Mr Murray said: 'At this stage we have no sight of what the president's programme is, but we do know the First Minister and the Prime Minister will meet him, and it is right for them both to do so.' Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, the Scottish Secretary added the meetings are 'the right thing to do because those relationships are incredibly important in terms of our own national interest'. He added: 'We should make sure we are working very closely with our allies for the benefit of Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom.' Saying that doing 'what is in the UK's national interest' is the 'top priority' for the Prime Minister, the Scottish Secretary continued: 'Of course tariffs will be on the agenda I am sure, and the economic situation and the issue of Ukraine and defence. 'All of these issues I am sure will be on the agenda when they speak. 'The bottom line here is that it has taken a lot of effort for the Prime Minister to cultivate this relationship with our strongest ally, that's why we have the lowest tariffs in the world and why we had the first deal done with America in our national interest.' Mr Murray said while the 10% tariff on whisky exports to the US is something the UK Government would like to see lowered, he added the UK's trade deal with India had cut tariffs for sales of the drink there in a 'huge, huge boon to the Scotch whisky industry'.
Leader Live
16-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Starmer has worked to ‘cultivate' relationship with Trump, says minister
With Mr Trump having said he will meet Sir Keir in Aberdeen later this month during a private visit to Scotland, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said holding talks with the president is the 'right thing to do'. He said US tariffs and the situation in Ukraine could be on the agenda for those discussions. Scottish First Minister John Swinney will also meet the president – who recently voiced his support for the oil and gas sector over wind power projects. In a BBC News interview, Mr Trump hailed Aberdeen as the 'oil capital' of Europe and said 'they should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil'. Mr Trump also said he and Sir Keir will 'refine' the recent trade deal struck between the UK and the US. The agreement reduced tariffs on car and aerospace imports, but questions remain over whether steel imports into America will face 50% tariffs. There is also a baseline tariff of 10% for most other imports – with the Scotch whisky industry now said to be pushing for this to be lowered. Mr Murray said: 'At this stage we have no sight of what the president's programme is, but we do know the First Minister and the Prime Minister will meet him, and it is right for them both to do so.' Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, the Scottish Secretary added the meetings are 'the right thing to do because those relationships are incredibly important in terms of our own national interest'. He added: 'We should make sure we are working very closely with our allies for the benefit of Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom.' Saying that doing 'what is in the UK's national interest' is the 'top priority' for the Prime Minister, the Scottish Secretary continued: 'Of course tariffs will be on the agenda I am sure, and the economic situation and the issue of Ukraine and defence. 'All of these issues I am sure will be on the agenda when they speak. 'The bottom line here is that it has taken a lot of effort for the Prime Minister to cultivate this relationship with our strongest ally, that's why we have the lowest tariffs in the world and why we had the first deal done with America in our national interest.' Mr Murray said while the 10% tariff on whisky exports to the US is something the UK Government would like to see lowered, he added the UK's trade deal with India had cut tariffs for sales of the drink there in a 'huge, huge boon to the Scotch whisky industry'.
