Michael Gove takes up invitation to visit Highlands

SENIOR Conservative Michael Gove has agreed to visit the Highlands at the request of Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.

In the House of Commons, Mr Stone asked Mr Gove to come to the north of Scotland and meet representatives from the tourism and fishing industries. Mr Gove, who is Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, said he would be “delighted to do so”.

Arrangements are being made for the visit.

Mr Stone’s invitation came about following concerns in the hotel and tourism sector that many European Union workers are being discouraged from staying and working in the UK following Brexit. Representations have also been made to Mr Stone by fish processors pointing out that any delay in getting their products to European markets would be deeply damaging.

Mr Stone said: “The Conservatives’ points-based immigration system would be disastrous for the Highlands.

"In my view, keeping tourists happy in the hospitality industry is a highly skilled job – but that’s not what [Home Secretary] Priti Patel thinks. How the Government differentiates between ‘low’ and ‘high’ skilled workers is something I will want to discuss with Michael Gove when he’s here.

“On the fish-processing side, we have much to be proud of. Fish products coming from the Highlands are some of the finest in the world, and that is why European buyers want them.

"Any delay in getting them to the markets impacts on the freshness of the products. This is a point that I am sure will be made loud and clear to Mr Gove when he comes north.”

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