Finnie calls CBI chief an ‘English prat’

SCOTTISH agriculture minister Ross Finnie was fighting for his political life last night after describing Britain’s most senior business leader as "an English prat".

Finnie insulted Digby Jones, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry just minutes after Jones had finished a speech warning that anti-English sentiment in Scotland was damaging the country’s economy.

Last night Finnie’s slur led to calls for his resignation and he was condemned by business leaders and senior Labour figures. They accused the Liberal Democrat minister of playing into the hands of those who want to stereotype Scotland as an anti-English country.

Finnie’s insult came after Jones had given the keynote address at CBI Scotland’s annual dinner at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel on Friday night.

The agriculture minister was angered by Jones’ criticism of the Scottish Executive’s policies on business.

When he was confronted by Scotland on Sunday, Finnie initially denied insulting Jones. However, he later admitted it, insisting his description of Jones was being quoted out of context.

He said: "Yes, there was a long conversation with Digby Jones. I can’t really remember much of the conversation but it now seems everything is being taken out of context."

Finnie made his comment about Jones after the 800 guests at the black-tie dinner had finished their meal.

The minister was introduced to Jones by Iain McMillan, the director of CBI Scotland. The men were also in the company of Jack Perry, the organisation’s chairman.

Last night Jones said Finnie had made the comment just before they were formally introduced.

Jones said: "I was very surprised to hear the minister’s comment... In public life these things happen sometimes but, hey, that is what I am paid for. Now I think that people should draw a line under this and move on."

Neither McMillan nor Perry would comment on Finnie’s behaviour.

However, one senior business source, who had attended the event, said Finnie’s actions had damaged Scotland’s reputation. He said: "Comments of this nature from a senior Scottish Executive minister are misjudged and ill-advised.

"It doesn’t help Scotland’s image as an open and inclusive country if a senior politician behaves in this fashion."

In his speech Jones had warned that anti-Englishness in Scotland was harming the country’s economy. His speech was poorly received by much of the audience, which included many of Scotland’s most important business and political figures. One guest said: "His speech was one of the worst I have ever heard. It was badly written and badly delivered and there was quite open hostility to what he was saying."

Earlier on Friday Jones had said: "The one investor they [Scots] seem to have a serious problem with making feel welcome is the English. Scots have an enormous chip on their shoulder."

Last week Jones also attacked the Scottish Executive for pursuing policies he claimed were hostile to business. He described plans to raise business rates by 9% as "madness".

Yesterday a spokesman for the Scottish Conservative party said Finnie’s behaviour had validated Jones’ claims.

He said: "This all just shows how Labour and the Liberal Democrats behave, attacking anybody who happens to dare disagree with them.

"In what context would calling someone an English prat be acceptable? If we have descended into this level of debate then it really is a sad day for Scottish politics."

The SNP called for Finnie to resign on the back of criticism over his handling of the recent water contamination crisis in Glasgow.

Bruce Crawford, the SNP environment spokesman, said: "Ross Finnie’s job has looked increasingly insecure in recent weeks and his conduct here is unbecoming of a cabinet minister.

"He should have resigned over the Glasgow water crisis and is now little more than an embarrassment to his colleagues and to Scotland."

Last night Labour sources were enjoying the discomfort of a minister with whom they share power within Scotland’s ruling coalition.

One senior source said: "Digby Jones may have been entirely wrong in his comments about the Scottish Executive, but that is no excuse to indulge in name calling."

Meanwhile, leading Scottish businesses rallied to defend Scotland’s reputation.

Gordon Arthur, a spokesman for Standard Life, the Edinburgh-based financial giant, said: "I would say we make English investors very welcome indeed."

Scott White, of insurer Scottish Equitable, said: "We are seeing more English people coming north to work for us and enjoy a better lifestyle, and we haven’t encountered problems yet."

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "The minister for environment and rural development had a conversation with CBI director Digby Jones at the CBI Scotland annual dinner and challenged the basis of Mr Jones’s views that the Executive is focused on redistribution rather than wealth creation.

"If the phrase ‘English prat’ was used, there was no intention to cause offence. The conversation ended amicably."

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