Scottish Labour has tabled a Parliamentary motion calling for transparency from
the SNP Government over alleged spying on journalists and their sources by
Police Scotland.
Last weekend’s Sunday Herald reported that Police Scotland is one of two forces in the UK which has illegally monitored communications between journalists and their sources.
Both Police Scotland and the SNP Government have refused to deny the reports and failed to put up a spokesperson for BBC Radio Scotland to discuss the issue this morning.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary Hugh Henry said:
"These are very serious allegations and it's not good enough for Nicola Sturgeon to maintain complete silence.
"When it was revealed that GCHQ had changed its rules to allow it to spy on MSPs the SNP Government was quite rightly outraged. That same outrage should apply to alleged spying by Police Scotland on journalists and their sources.
"We need full transparency from the First Minister about exactly what SNP Government ministers know about these allegations and whether they have authorised any surveillance of journalists and their sources by Police Scotland."
Last weekend’s Sunday Herald reported that Police Scotland is one of two forces in the UK which has illegally monitored communications between journalists and their sources.
Both Police Scotland and the SNP Government have refused to deny the reports and failed to put up a spokesperson for BBC Radio Scotland to discuss the issue this morning.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary Hugh Henry said:
"These are very serious allegations and it's not good enough for Nicola Sturgeon to maintain complete silence.
"When it was revealed that GCHQ had changed its rules to allow it to spy on MSPs the SNP Government was quite rightly outraged. That same outrage should apply to alleged spying by Police Scotland on journalists and their sources.
"We need full transparency from the First Minister about exactly what SNP Government ministers know about these allegations and whether they have authorised any surveillance of journalists and their sources by Police Scotland."
Motion on Surveillance of Journalists:
That the Parliament notes with concern reports of alleged spying by Police Scotland on journalists and their sources; agrees that the cornerstone of any democracy is a free press that is able to hold the government to account; believes that these allegations should be treated as seriously as recent reports about the activities of GCHQ in relation to the communications of Members; notes that if these reports are true, they will further damage the reputation of Police Scotland and undermine the efforts of the dedicated and professional staff at Police Scotland; notes that Scottish Ministers have the power to authorise interception in relation to serious crime; and calls for full transparency from the Scottish Government about what exactly it knows regarding the allegations about spying on journalists and their sources.
Letter from Hugh Henry MSP to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon:
Dear First Minister,
You will be aware of the very disturbing report in yesterday's Sunday Herald about allegations that Police Scotland monitored communications between journalists and their sources.
The newspaper cites the following excerpt from a report by the Interception of Communications Commissioner Office (ICCO):
"Two police forces have acquired communications data to identify the interactions between journalists and their sources in two investigations without obtaining judicial approval."
The Sunday Herald reports that Police Scotland is one of the two forces referred to in the ICCO report. Although the regulation of the law in this area is a reserved matter, the actions of Police Scotland are the devolved responsibility of the Scottish Government. As First Minister you are ultimately responsible for the actions of Police Scotland.
People in Scotland deserve urgent answers to the following specific questions:
Have you, or any of your ministers, been advised that Police Scotland is one of the unnamed forces in the report by the Interception of Communications Commissioner Office?
Have you, or any of your ministers, authorised the surveillance of journalists and their sources by Police Scotland?
Have you, or any of your ministers, had any discussions with Police Scotland about the issue of the monitoring of communications between journalists and their sources?
What action will you take to ensure such a breach never happens again?
Confidence in Police Scotland and your government's handling of policing in this country is draining away fast following recent scandals, including the major failings in the M9 car crash tragedy. These latest allegations will do nothing to restore that confidence.
I look forward to an urgent response on this important matter. Please consider this a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act if necessary.
Best wishes,
Hugh Henry MSP
Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice
