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Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Part of UK in Sweden

30th November 2013

St Andrew’s Day

Today is St Andrew’s day, Scotland’s national day. By this time next year a referendum will have taken place on whether Scotland should become independent. The UK Government firmly believes that it is for people in Scotland to decide their own future through democratic debate and a referendum in September 2014.  This is a good example of democracy in action and one which we are proud of. None of this is to say, though, that the UK Government is neutral on the question of independence.  The UK Government firmly believes that Scotland is stronger as part of the UK, and that the UK is stronger with Scotland in it.

Whatever Scots think about the politics and economics we all take great pride in the history of our country, its amazing natural beauty, and the strength and character of its people.

On this day every year, Scots men and women around the world will take time to enjoy and relive pastimes rooted in the historical customs of Scotland, such as writing poems, Scottish dancing, and, for some, possibly even bagpipe playing – although as I career diplomat I will leave that last one to the professionals for the benefit of UK/Sweden bilateral relations!

In 2014, Scotland celebrates its “Year of Homecoming”, a year-long programme of events.

For foodies, there will be first-ever “Gastrofest!” that will explore the science of Scottish food and drink and provide a fantastic excuse to enjoy all its wonderfully fresh natural local ingredients. And May has been designated Whisky Month, so if you prefer your liquids to be distilled for a little longer then you know when to go!

For artistic readers, the Creative Mackintosh Festival 2014 will offer a great range of visual art and performances as well as exhibitions, music and dance for people of all ages. This year the event will take place in, and showcase, the unique architecture to be found in the many buildings in Glasgow, where I spent 4 happy years as a student, designed by the creative genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Occasionally, Scots are given the mistaken reputation of being a little dour. We Scots are determined to prove that perception wrong once and for all and there are no better examples to achieve that than the world-famous Edinburgh Arts Festival every August, and the Glasgow International Comedy Festival in November, which is the largest event of its kind in Europe and last time covered 411 shows at 46 venues!

And to finish with a sporting flourish, Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games next July/August, and the Ryder Cup golf championships will be at the world-famous Gleneagles Resort in September. So there really is something for everyone in Scotland in 2014.

About Paul Johnston

Paul Johnston joined the UK Civil Service in 1990, working for the Ministry of Defence initially. He has served in Paris and New York and has also had a wide…

Paul Johnston joined the UK Civil Service in 1990, working for the Ministry of Defence initially.

He has served in Paris and New York and has also had a wide range of political and security roles in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Paul joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1993 as Desk Officer for Bosnia. As part of this role he was also Private Secretary to EU negotiator Lord Owen and his representative on Bosnia Contact Group.

His first foreign posting was to Paris in 1995-99 as Second Secretary Political. He was Private Secretary to the Ambassador and latterly part of the UK delegation to the Kosovo Rambouillet negotiations. Then he returned to London as Head of the Kosovo Policy Team, leading work on post-conflict policy in the EU, NATO, UN and G8.

Before his second overseas posting to New York in 2005, Paul held a variety of other EU policy and security appointments in London, such as Head of European Defence Section between 2000-01 and Head of Security Policy Department between 2002-04.

As Head of the Political Section in UKMIS New York, he advised on major policy issues for the UK on the Security Council and the UN World Summit, including the UK EU Presidency in 2005.

Paul returned to London in 2008 as Director, International Security for the FCO. He was responsible for policy on UN, NATO, European Security, arms control and disarmament, human rights and good governance.

Paul was British Ambassador to Sweden from August 2011 to August 2015 and then was Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO.

He was UK Ambassador to the EU for Political and Security affairs from 2017 to January 2020 and became Ambassador to Ireland in September 2020.

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