Ian Blackford has demanded answers from Boris Johnson on claims that government jobs were “dangled” in front of Scottish Tory MPs to get them in line to vote trough cuts in foreign aid.
The SNP Westminster leader has written the Prime Minister accusing him of “dodgy backroom dealing and dirty tactics” to secure a Commons majority for a £4 billion cut to the UK overseas aid programme last week.
All six Scottish Tory MPs voted with the government despite 24 colleagues, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, rebelling against the cut with was broke a Conservative manifesto pledge.
Blackford has alleged that jobs in a forthcoming Ministerial reshuffle were offered to keep the Scottish Tories onside.
In his angry letter to the PM, Blackford, wrote: “It is significant to note that these accusations are not solely coming from the media or myself.
“Senior Conservative MP Damian Green has publicly confirmed that jobs were ‘dangled’ in front of Tory backbenchers to prevent them voting against these cruel cuts to aid.”
Blackford added: “There now exists the natural and strong suspicion that government roles were offered to Scottish Conservative MPs in exchange for their vote to cut foreign aid. "
"Given the accusations from Damian Green, are you in a position to categorically deny that Scottish Conservative votes to cut foreign aid were bought off with the promise of government jobs?”
The SNP leader also expressed anger at Johnson’s “deliberate failure” to follow proper procedure and inform the SNP, as the third party in the Commons, of his own plans to participate in the debate.
Johnson surprised the Commons by opening the debate, a move which is usually signalled to opposing leaders but not on this occasion to the SNP.
Blackford told the PM: “It is obvious this was solely and deliberately directed at the SNP given that I have been made aware that the leader of the opposition was informed of your participation the previous evening.”
The Highland MP, who often contributes remotely because of covid restriction, blasted the PM.
He said: "This is by no means the first occasion when proper procedures have not been followed under your watch. "
"Unlike the approach adopted by your predecessors, persistent failures to provide information, proper notice or full parliamentary scrutiny have been a constant during your period as Prime Minister.”
