The First Minister said he could ‘reconsider’ the SNP’s longstanding policy against directly funding munitions amid the threat from Putin.
Grants given to firms involved in arming Israel’s assault in Gaza, campaigners say(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
John Swinney is under pressure not to drop the Scottish Government ban on sending public cash to weapons manufacturing projects.
The First Minister last week revealed he could “reconsider” the longstanding policy due to the threat from Russia.
It follows an internal review by its business quango, Scottish Enterprise, into its funding of arms companies.
Scottish taxpayers have shelled out £8million in grants since 2019 to arms dealers like Leonardo, Raytheon and BAE Systems.
The money is not currently allowed to go towards the direct manufacture of munitions, but critics describe the current system of human rights checks as “inadequate”.
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during First Minister’s Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh.
The Scottish Greens and Amnesty International say cash has been awarded to firms involved in manufacture of F-35s and other military tech in Gaza.
Greens MSP Patrick Harvie said: “Scottish tax payers’ money should never go towards companies arming regimes that commit war crimes.
“In recent years the UK has armed Israel as it engaged in genocide, Saudi Arabia as it pursued a brutal war in Yemen, and Hong Kong and Egypt as they attacked pro-democracy protests.
“The SNP generally falls back on the ‘no manufacture of munitions’ line to defend the fact that they still fund companies complicit in such crimes.
“Far from retreating from their policy, they should strengthen it by applying human rights checks that actually mean something, instead of the rubber stamp currently applied.”
MSP Patrick Harvie(Image: PA)
He added: “There are hundreds of projects across the country that provide jobs and positive, productive outcomes for Scotland that would welcome financial support from the government.
“There’s simply no need to give it to arms dealers and war profiteers.”
Swinney had previously said the government’s stance against directly funding munitions would remain, with his Cabinet minister Mairi Gougeon previously saying it was based on the party’s “principles”.
But speaking to the Holyrood Sources podcast last week, the SNP chief said: “I’m conscious we are living in a very different context today. The Russian threat is very real. We have to consider these questions.”
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes revealed this week a tighter regime of human rights checks for Scottish Enterprise funding of arms firms following a review, but opponents said it would effectively allow the status quo to continue.
Neil Cowan, Scotland director at Amnesty International, said: “The Scottish public must be assured that this review has not simply swept the issues under the carpet.”