Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being urged to rule out changes which could give the UK Government’s Cabinet Secretary the power to direct the permanent secretary in the Scottish Government.

The call follows a report in The Times that Burnham intends to increase the powers held by Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo, including giving her the legal right to direct permanent secretaries.

The SNP is seeking assurances that any extension of those powers would not allow a UK Government civil servant to direct the Scottish Government.

The party argues that such an arrangement could interfere with Scotland’s devolved government and potentially shift power towards Whitehall.

Calum Kerr MSP has now called on Burnham to make clear that the proposed changes would not extend to directing the Scottish Government.

Calum Kerr MSP said:

“Andy Burnham doesn’t quite get Scotland or our devolution settlement, that’s already clear from his first weeks in office.

“Just as Scotland is not a region, the Scottish Government is not a Whitehall department.

“The Prime Minister must rule out giving a UK Government civil servant the ability to direct the Scottish Government in any way, shape or form.

“Andy Burnham’s Westminster government speaks of devolution by default, but we are seeing little evidence of warm words turning into solid action and this proposed change, if it effected Scotland, would see devolution put into reverse.”