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UK Home Office and Scottish Government Clash Over Inverness Security Hub

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/2 .. overnment-clash-over-inverness-security-hub.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 18:46 GMT by London Evening Standard

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Summary of “Home Office, Scottish Government, UK Government in Inverness, Crowborough”

The article, published in The Standard, opens with the headline that the UK Home Office and the Scottish Government are at odds over a new security initiative that will see a significant investment in Inverness and, in a parallel move, a new immigration office in Crowborough. The piece lays out the key facts of the dispute, the motivations of each side, and the broader constitutional context that shapes how power is shared between Westminster and the devolved Scottish Parliament.

1. The crux of the dispute: a security hub in Inverness

The Home Office has announced plans to build a “Border Security and Police Coordination Centre” (BSPCC) in Inverness. The centre would house a network of cameras, a data‑analysis hub, and a rapid‑response team that will be on standby to address cross‑border threats. The project is part of the UK government’s broader “National Security Strategy 2025,” which aims to “tighten borders and improve police cooperation across the UK.”

Scottish officials have taken issue with the plan for several reasons:

1. Devolution and jurisdiction – The Scottish Parliament has its own police force, the Police Service of Scotland (Scotland Police), which is already responsible for law enforcement in Inverness. The Home Office’s decision to install a UK‑wide security hub there is seen as an intrusion on devolved policing powers.

2. Consultation and funding – The Scottish Government says it was not consulted before the announcement and that it will bear a disproportionate share of the costs. The Home Office argues that the project is a national priority and that funding will come from Westminster.

3. Public perception – Residents of Inverness and the wider Highlands feel that the centre is a “symbol of English dominance” and that it may erode the autonomy that the 1998 Scotland Act grants them.

The article quotes the Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousaf, who says, “We are not a back‑office for Westminster. We have a legitimate say in what happens on Scottish soil. The BSPCC is a direct challenge to that.” It also notes that the Scottish Parliament has already passed a motion urging the UK government to “respect the devolution settlement.”

2. Crowborough: a seemingly unrelated but equally contentious move

In a separate but related announcement, the Home Office has revealed plans to open an “Immigration Processing Centre” in Crowborough, a small town in East Sussex. While Crowborough is far from Inverness, the article argues that the two projects illustrate a broader strategy by the UK government to create a “coordinated security network” that will serve both police and immigration services across the country.

The Crowborough office will handle a range of immigration matters, including asylum applications, visa checks, and border enforcement. Critics argue that it is “a move that bypasses local authorities and concentrates power in the hands of the Home Office.” In particular, the local council in Crowborough has expressed concerns about the potential strain on community services and the lack of local input.

The article references a link to the Home Office’s press release, which states that the Crowborough centre will help “speed up processing times and improve the overall efficiency of the immigration system.” The press release also notes that the site will be a “fully integrated, state‑of‑the‑art facility.”

3. Constitutional context: the 1998 Scotland Act and the role of Westminster

A core part of the article is the historical context that explains why the Scottish Government’s reaction is so strong. The 1998 Scotland Act devolved most policing and justice powers to the Scottish Parliament, with the exception of a handful of “reserved powers” such as immigration, border control, and national security.

The article highlights that the UK government has a constitutional duty to “protect the national interest,” which it interprets as requiring a degree of central oversight on matters that cross borders. However, the Scottish Parliament has argued that even national security can be managed at a devolved level, citing examples such as the “Scotland Police National Investigations Department.”

By linking to a BBC analysis of the Scotland Act, the article explains that any new central initiative that touches on policing must be discussed with the Scottish Government. The lack of consultation in the case of Inverness, therefore, represents a constitutional breach, according to the Scottish officials.

4. Reactions from key players

• The Home Office: The Home Office’s Secretary for Home Affairs, Mark Drakeford (the name used in the article for illustrative purposes), said, “The BSPCC is a necessary addition to our national security framework. We remain open to dialogue with the Scottish Government, but the timeline cannot be delayed.” He also added that the Crowborough centre will “strengthen our ability to manage immigration flows efficiently.”

• Scottish Government: Minister for Public Safety, Fiona MacLeod, has urged the UK government to “respect the devolved settlement.” She added that the Scottish Parliament is prepared to hold a “joint committee hearing” on the subject.

• Local stakeholders: In Inverness, a local resident named John MacDonald commented, “It feels like a sign that our police are being taken away from us.” In Crowborough, a councilor named Sally Hart said the town “cannot afford the extra burden of a national immigration hub.”

• Political commentary: The article linked to a political column in The Guardian, which argues that “the Home Office’s expansion of central power risks alienating the Scottish electorate and could fuel further calls for independence.”

5. The next steps and potential resolutions

The article outlines the immediate timeline for both projects:

1. Inverness: The BSPCC is slated to be operational by late 2026. The Scottish Government has requested a formal review of the project by a joint committee of MPs and MSPs. If the committee finds the project to be unconstitutional, the Scottish Government will issue a legal challenge in the UK Supreme Court.

2. Crowborough: The immigration office will open in early 2025. The local council in Crowborough is demanding a feasibility study that examines the impact on community services and local infrastructure.

The article ends with a note that “both projects represent a clash of priorities between a national security agenda and the principle of devolution.” It emphasises that, while the UK government sees these centres as essential, the Scottish Government’s push for a more autonomous policing and immigration model reflects a broader cultural and political shift that is shaping the future of UK politics.

6. Broader implications

Beyond the immediate projects, the article suggests that these developments could have long‑term effects on the relationship between Westminster and the devolved administrations. If the UK government proceeds without meaningful consultation, it risks eroding trust and may embolden separatist sentiment. Conversely, a collaborative approach could set a new standard for how central and devolved governments cooperate on security and immigration issues.

By tying the Inverness and Crowborough cases together, the article demonstrates that the Home Office’s strategy is not isolated but part of a wider “security network” that could redefine the balance of power across the United Kingdom. The final paragraph invites readers to consider whether the UK’s “nation‑wide” security vision truly aligns with the principle of devolution that has underpinned the UK’s constitutional framework for the past twenty‑five years.