Scottish Secretary Jack accused of trying to ‘sabotage’ deposit return scheme

Lorna Slater, the circular economy minister, hit out at Alister Jack – while Green and SNP MSPs called for him to be sacked.

Holyrood’s circular economy minister Lorna Slater accused the Scottish Secretary of trying to ‘sabotage’ the Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme (Jane Barlow/PA)

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack is trying to “sabotage” Scotland’s deposit return scheme, the minister charged with introducing the initiative has insisted.

Lorna Slater hit out as a row erupted over whether the Scottish Government had sought an exemption from Westminster from the Internal Market Act for the scheme – which is due to come in from August.

Mr Jack insisted no request for this had been received, saying: “Should such a request be received, it will be considered by the relevant Whitehall departments.”