Scottish freeports deal splits SNP and Greens

A deep split has emerged between the SNP and its coalition partners, the Scottish Greens, over Nicola Sturgeon?s decision to back the foundation of low-tax freeports in Scotland.

The Scottish government signed a £52m deal with the UK government to approve two low-regulation freeports in Scotland just as Boris Johnson arrived on Monday at Rosyth in Fife, an industrial site expected to bid to host one.

Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens? finance spokesperson, said his party would have nothing to do with the schemes, in the first major split with the SNP since they struck a cooperation deal last August. That deal excluded freeports.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Greer said claims from Scottish ministers that the two projects would prioritise green, low-carbon ambitions and promote the living wage were ?greenwash?.

?There?s nothing genuinely green about them,? he said. ?What freeports are are a really effective way to give tax relief and to throw public money at multinational companies who are already doing their best to avoid tax.

SNP-led government signs up for two low-tax freeports but Greens say they will have nothing to do with schemes.