posted November 10, 2024 02:45 AM            

"Writing offiially on behalf of the Scottish government, he wrote that he is 'sure' Scotland's cultural and social ties will 'flourish' during the presidency of a misogynist, a climate denier, a fraudster, a conspiracy monger, a racist, a far-right politician who tried to overturn an election result both covertly and by inciting violence."

"Words fail me. What social and cultural ties does the First Minister really think will benefit from a relationship with such a man?"

I have a duty as First Minister of Scotland to engage with other governments and to represent the people of Scotland in that process and as part of that duty I wrote the letter in question that Mr. Harvie cites. I think there are deep social, cultural, and economic ties between Scotland and the United States of America."

"I think they're important. They're important for employment in our economy, they're important for the cultural expression of our country, and for the way in which we are able to pursue those objectives."

"While there are very clearly, because of what I've said before the presidential election, very big, real differences in expression and in priority, and in way of life between me and Donald Trump, I cannot deny the existence of links between Scotland and the United States."