COP26 has seen many good and committed people come to Scotland from around the globe.

The likes of Greta Thunberg and indigenous people whose communities are threatened have spoken from the heart.

I share the former’s scepticism about the event but still hope that some progress can come from it to stem the damage being done to our planet. But what was evident was their passion and integrity.

It was therefore tragic that Westminster was dominated by what was sleazy and akin to corruption.

The actions of the Tory MP Owen Paterson were simply unacceptable and resignation was the least to be expected. Had it been a civil servant or other public official, summary dismissal would have followed. That the Tory Government then sought to rescue him and change the standards systems, as well as undermining the integrity of the independent standards commissioner, was despicable.

Thankfully, public outrage saw them roll back from that. The system that was in place was robust and should be restored. There must be probity in public office but sadly, as with other recent actions, Boris Johnson’s administration is beginning to resemble a kleptocracy, where the enrichment of friends is what matters.

COP26 also showed just how powerless Scotland is. Despite taking place in Scotland’s largest city, the Scottish Government wasn’t represented in the meetings that mattered. Endless selfies by the First Minister with visiting dignitaries will look fine on her wall but can’t hide the fact Scotland was excluded from where it mattered.

Ireland was at the top table, as were even smaller lands. Ireland also sits on the United Nations Security Council, able to speak up for peace in the world. Scotland has weapons of mass destruction sited on the Clyde against her people’s wishes. Rather than speaking for ourselves, Scotland was represented by Boris Johnson’s Tory Government. Yet not only his but every Tory Government has been rejected by Scotland since before I was born.