Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2026 [Draft]
I sympathise and agree with all the sentiments about the conflict in the middle east that Gillian Mackay has put to me. However, I cannot, at the same time as condemning the Israeli and United States intervention in the middle east as being incompatible with international law, not follow the legal framework in which I must operate as the First Minister in the Scottish Parliament under the Scotland Act 1998. The action suggested in the question that Gillian Mackay puts to me would undoubtedly have me exercising powers in relation to national security, aviation, air transport, defence and foreign affairs, all of which are reserved to the United Kingdom Government.
As the First Minister of Scotland, I will always act within the law. That might be frustrating for me at times, and I assure Gillian Mackay and the Parliament that it is immensely frustrating for me at this particular moment. However, that is a vivid reminder to me of what is absolutely necessary for our country as we look to the future, which is to be a voice to argue for the de-escalation of conflicts in the middle east, to be a voice for peace and to avoid conflict. To do that, we must be an independent country, which is what I intend to deliver for the people of Scotland.