Nicola Sturgeon: I’ll support firms who defy Westminster over foreign worker lists Companies that boycott the Conservatives’ plans to force companies to publish lists of their foreign workers will be backed up […]

Companies that boycott the Conservatives’ plans to force companies to publish lists of their foreign workers will be backed up by the Scottish Government, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Describing the proposal announced by Home Secretary Amber Rudd earlier this week as “disgraceful and disgusting”, the First Minister said she would “stand full square” behind any company that boycotted it.

“I would absolutely stand full square beside any company that refused to comply with any request to publish details of foreign workers” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Nicola Sturgeon

During heated scenes at Holyrood, the SNP leader said her Government wanted “absolutely nothing” to do with the plan, which could see firms with a high percentage of foreign workers on their books being “named and shamed”.

The proposal is subject to a consultation and is not yet official policy, but business groups have strongly criticised the idea and some firms have said they would refuse to publish the information as they are proud of having a diverse workforce.

Asked during First Minister’s Questions whether she would support such actions, Ms Sturgeon replied: “I would absolutely stand full square beside any company that refused to comply with any request to publish details of foreign workers.”

She added: “What I found particularly offensive was the idea that companies would be ‘named and shamed’ – as if there was something shameful about employing workers from other countries. It is absolutely disgraceful.”

Later, Ms Sturgeon’s spokesman said Scottish public bodies which did not want to publish foreign worker lists could also count on support.

However, he added that it was too early to say exactly what the Scottish Government could do to protect those defying the rules.

Anti-immigration rhetoric

During First Minister’s Questions, the rhetoric about immigration used at the Tory conference was condemned by MSPs from all other political parties.

As well as the party’s plans on foreign workers, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox caused controversy by describing EU citizens as “one of our main cards” in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Ms Sturgeon used the opportunity to criticise Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader who addressed the conference shortly before Theresa May’s closing speech on Wednesday.

“I hope she’s thoroughly ashamed of the xenophobic rhetoric she’s been surrounded by over the past few days,” Ms Sturgeon told her rival to applause from other MSPs.

Defending herself, Ms Davidson pointed out that she had used her speech to urge her colleagues to have an international outlook, adding: “My position is to say that people from the EU and elsewhere are welcome here, and that this is their home.”

But Ms Sturgeon replied: “The difference between Ruth Davidson and I is this: she wants control over immigration to stay in the hands of the xenophobes, I want it to come into the hands of this Parliament so we can put these sentiments into practice.”