Lorna Slater facing a vote of no confidence over deposit return scheme
The Scottish Green MSP has been described as being "out of her depth"
A vote of no confidence in the circular economy minister will be held at the Scottish Parliament this evening after the turmoil surrounding the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
The motion was brought forward by the Scottish Conservatives net zero spokesperson, Liam Kerr, and was backed by the party who say Lorna Slater is “out of her depth” when it comes to the scheme.
Scottish Labour has also said it will be supporting the motion; however, the Greens have described the attempt to oust one of their ministers as a “cynical and shameless political stunt”.
Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell defended Ms Slater, who is one of the party's two co-leaders alongside Patrick Harvie.
"This is completely absurd."
He described the situation as “absurd”, adding: "The reality here is that Lorna Slater has done an incredible job to bring in Scotland's first deposit return scheme. It was ready to go.
"But the Tories stepped in at the last minute and they scuppered the scheme.
"Now they have the absolute audacity, the brass neck, to actually try to blame Lorna Slater for their decision.”
The co-operation agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens, which gave the smaller party two ministerial positions, means the motion stands little chance of passing.
The Scottish Government blamed Westminster for the latest delay to the DRS, after the UK Government decided glass should be excluded from the scheme so it is the same across Britain.
"She is out of her depth as a minister"
Mr Kerr said: "I don't say this lightly, but I struggle to think of a minister who has struggled so much in their brief in the seven years I've been in the Scottish Parliament.
"Her handling of the deposit return scheme has been shambolic from day one, with her refusal to engage with business or heed their warnings that her plans were unworkable."
He also blamed Ms Slater for the potential collapse of Circularity Scotland, the industry-funded company set up to administer the DRS.
Mr Kerr said: "The First Minister has stated that he does not agree and has full confidence in Lorna Slater.
"But I call on all MSPs of all parties to get behind this motion."
The vote will be held between 5pm and 5.30pm this evening, 20 June.