Scotland’s most senior Public Servant has defended the use of Public Servants to support the work of the ruling Scottish National Party’s controversial Minister for Independence.
Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, John-Paul Marks said it was necessary for the Public Service to serve Ministers with impartiality.
His comments follow those of Scottish Secretary at Westminster, Alister Jack who asked United Kingdom Public Servants not to engage with the newly-created Minister.
Mr Jack said the appointment was “completely out of step with the real priorities of the public”.
Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf appointed Jamie Hepburn as the Minister for Independence following his victory in the party’s leadership race.
The Opposition Scottish Conservatives have called the role a “taxpayer-funded nationalist campaigner”.
Mr Marks (pictured) was asked about the issue while giving evidence to the Scottish Government’s Finance and Public Administration Committee.
He said he had “responded to a number of pieces of correspondence regarding this”.
“It is for the First Minister to appoint his Ministerial team, given his priorities, and that Ministerial team is then voted on by this Parliament. Then it is for the Civil Service to serve that Ministerial team with impartiality,” Mr Marks said.
“It has been well understood under devolution for many years that the Civil Service in the Scottish Government serves the Scottish Government and its priorities, and we provide policy advice…for this Government to set out its constitutional objectives.”
He noted that the history of devolution was one of change and not stagnation.
Edinburgh, 20 May 2023
