THE DECISION to promote the G8 with an emblem including a stylised thistle has been blasted by the youth wing of the Scottish National Party.

Young Scots for Independence (YSI) yesterday launched a stinging attack, insisting the people of Scotland do not want the G8.

In a statement released by the YSI, organisers of the summit and members of the Scottish Executive came in for damning criticism.

« The YSI believe that the people in Scotland must vociferously protest against the G8 and all that it stands for, » the statement read.

« It believes that it is nothing more than a clique of nations that have a disproportionate hold over global governance.

« In addition it has proved to be impotent at tackling the AIDS/HIV epidemic, global poverty and has failed to cancel the third world debt.

« The YSI particularly took offence at comments from finance minister Andy Kerr, » the statement continued.

« He said the logo would give the summit a 'distinctly Scottish flavour'. The minister also stated that 'the G8 summit will provide Scotland with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our ambitions and to raise our profile as a destination, a business location and a potential place to live and work'. »

YSI National convener Jamie Hepburn is unimpressed by such sentiments.

« Mr Kerr states that the G8 coming to Scotland will provide an opportunity to showcase our ambition, » he said.

« This is a meeting that an independent Scotland would not be invited to and nor would it want to be.

« If hosting an event that allows the world leaders who perpetrate further global suffering to meet in Scotland is all the ambition that the unionist Labour-led Executive have for this country then it is failing the Scottish people. »

The YSI called on members of the public to protest against the G8 Summit, set to be held at Gleneagles next year.

« Only when Scotland regains her full sovereignty will we be able to participate like a normal country in the world arena, » Mr Hepburn said.

« We must protest against the G8 now, but only with independence will we be allowed to have our voice heard to shout to this clique that global poverty, malnutrition and third world debt have no place in the modern age. »