Tory MSP accused of 'hypocrisy' for praising UK Government aid record as ministers slash spending

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Tory MSP has been accused of hypocrisy for praising UK Government efforts to tackle poverty in developing countries despite foreign aid funding being slashed.Sharon Dowey submitted several Scottish Parliament motions calling for MSPs to recognise Westminster efforts in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda.

But it comes at a time the UK Government is giving billions of pounds less in foreign aid to organisations such as the United Nations.

The UK currently spends about £11.5bn each year on aid - after cutting the budget by £3bn last year.Aid charities have criticised the strategy for focusing more on boosting UK trade than ending extreme poverty.But Dowey used a motion to ask MSPs to "applaud the success" of UK aid schemes.Collette Stevenson, SNP MSP for East Kilbride, said Scottish Conservatives had chosen to "shower the Westminster government in unearned compliments".Stevenson added: "The hypocrisy from the Tories just keeps coming – this time their MSPs appear to be choosing to shower the Westminster government in unearned compliments whilst ignoring the devastating Tory cuts to international development funding."While all support to tackle global poverty is welcome, it is disappointing that Tory MSPs are trying to deflect from the serious implications of these cuts."We need governments to be stepping up their commitments with international development partner countries not rolling back."Scotland wants to play its part as a good global citizen and I’m glad that, in stark contrast to Westminster, the Scottish Government has increased its International Development budget by 50% so we can build a more just and equitable global future for all. "A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "The UK Government is and will