I was disappointed to hear that Scotland’s First Minister has been having friendly chats with President-elect Trump, with no discussion of his policy agenda. Donald Trump’s climate-destroying, racist and conspiracy theory-based politics are endangering people and planet and are the exact opposite of the future that we want for Scotland. Here in Scotland, we proudly welcome refugees and immigrants as new Scots. [ Interruption .]

Let us hear Ms Slater.

We value democracy, our environment and the rule of law. I ask the First Minister: how can it be in Scotland’s interests to court the favours of someone such as Donald Trump?

I am responsible for the Government’s policy programme and its agenda. That agenda speaks for itself, and I answer questions on that here in a democratic Parliament, where I believe fundamentally in the rule of law. Lorna Slater and I are in absolute agreement about the importance of democratic processes and the rule of law—and I believe that the acceptance of that point is fundamentally part of my being.

I recognise that there will be political differences from one Government to another, but I also have a duty to promote and protect the interests of Scotland. President Trump and I had an introductory call, at his request, on Tuesday evening. He spoke positively about Scotland and I expressed the views and interests of the Scottish Government in relation to areas of co-operation with the United States—in particular, on relevant and important issues of the whisky trade, which matters to the Scottish economy. I have a duty to represent Scotland and to make sure that that is done on our terms, representing our policy agenda, and I assure Lorna Slater and other members that I will always take that approach.

There are risks to a friendly approach. Already, we see the Trumpification of Scottish politics. All week, the Tories have been working to demonise people who seek asylum—to pit one group of vulnerable people against another. It is shameful. At the same time, we see the rights of refugees and of LGBTQ+ folks coming under attack from Westminster policies. Will the First Minister stand up to Donald Trump, stand up for human rights, equality and democracy, and make it clear that we are proud of compassionate and humane policies such as the extension of free bus travel to people who seek asylum?

I believe that I represent those values every day in all my actions as First Minister of Scotland.

I agree with Lorna Slater that this week marked a worrying departure from the prevailing approach that has taken place in the Scottish Parliament. When Their Majesties the King and Queen came to the Parliament in September, I quoted Winnie Ewing—a political figure for whom I could not have more respect—who, in the first words that were put in the Official Report of this Parliament, encouraged us all, regardless of where we had come from, to live compatibly and happily together with tolerance in Scotland. I said that, for 25 years, that view had been upheld and expressed by every single member of the Parliament, without exception.

I am afraid that this week represented a turning point in that respect, and I profoundly regret that. What was said on Wednesday by some members of the Conservative Party departs from that approach, and I deeply regret that.

On Tuesday evening, under the leadership of the Presiding Officer, there were public service awards in this Parliament. One of the awards was given to the Linda Norgrove Foundation, which is a wonderful organisation that succeeded in bringing 19 female medical students from Afghanistan to Scotland. That was enabled by wonderful co-operation between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government. I have met those 19 women, as have the education secretary and Kirsty McNeill, the Scotland Office minister. We welcome all of that.

That is what we should be doing, as a mature and tolerant country—we should be recognising that people who seek asylum in our country are people who are in desperation. We should not demonise them but embrace them. We should be living up to the values that founded this Parliament, and we should turn our back on the populist rubbish that has consumed the Conservative Party this week.