Alister Jack misses Scottish Conservatives conference due to Stone of Destiny duties

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack failed to show at the Scottish Conservatives conference because of official duties relating to the Stone of Destiny.

Jack, who is a member of the Royal Company of Archers, was due to deliver his speech at the party’s spring conference in Glasgow.

But Tory MP John Lamont told delegates Jack had been detained in London, joking that the Scottish Secretary was “guarding” the Stone of Destiny.

The party said Jack had remain in London for official duties relating to the ceremonial stone, which travelled from Edinburgh Castle to Westminster Abbey earlier this week ahead of the coronation of King Charles III.

Jack delivered his speech via video from London, reiterating his commitment to defending the use of Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition (Reform) Bill.

Jack said: “I am disappointed Humza Yousaf has seen fit to challenge my decision in the Court of Session, but be in no doubt that the UK Government will robustly defend the decision that I took back in January.”  

Jack also referred to the Scottish Government’s controversial Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) which he called a “dog’s dinner”.

He told delegates: “I have also been keen to ensure that the Scottish Government’s dog’s dinner of a bottle deposit return scheme does not cause havoc with the smooth running of the UK internal market, which is so important to the Scottish economy.

“I was pleased the First Minister agreed with my assessment that the scheme should be delayed and I hope we can now work together on a better solution that works for businesses and consumers across the UK, while achieving environmental goals.

“We must do that. I know we can do it - but only if the SNP-Green coalition stop trying to turn their recycling scheme into yet another constitutional grievance.”