Holyrood bosses urged to launch investigation into bugging claims
Politicians are now calling for an investigation into the allegations.
Holyrood’s presiding officer has been told to officially investigate claims that at least three female SNP MSPs had their offices bugged by male staff.
On Thursday The Scotsman revealed that an SNP MSP had been the alleged victim of a spy operation by a male aide who then leaked details to the press.
It is now being reported that at least three MSPs had recording devices placed in their offices.
Party chiefs last night admitted the MSPs endured “traumatic” ordeals and First Minister John Swinney has said: “That type of conduct is completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Dame Jackie Baillie MSP, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, has now written to Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone asking the Scottish Parliament to investigate the allegations. This comes after The Scotsman reported that cross-party politicians had called for a probe, including Ash Regan MSP and Stephen Kerr MSP, and former MP Joanna Cherry KC.
In her letter, she said: “Astonishingly, these allegations appear to have been swept under the carpet by both the SNP government and the party leadership.
“At a minimum, there has been a shocking violation of trust and an unacceptable breach of standards.
“Worse still, there may have been large-scale criminal behaviour occurring within the Scottish Parliament estate with no consequences.
“These incidents raise serious questions about the safety of our parliament and the security of our government.
“In the absence of any action from the SNP or the government, it is all the more vital that the Scottish Parliament steps up to ensure this is a safe place to work. There must be an urgent investigation by the Scottish Parliament into these claims to establish the scale and precise nature of this wrongdoing.”
Ms Baillie says the presiding officer must establish “who knew what and when” and whether any other politicians or staff members have been targeted.
She added if Ms Johnstone is “unable or unwilling” to carry out an investigation, it must be passed onto Police Scotland.
Ms Baillie added: “If the Scottish Parliament ignores this behaviour, as the SNP appear to have done, it would be a shameful dereliction of duty and an implicit endorsement of serious misconduct.”
It is understood the former staff member who bugged a female SNP MSP’s office is still with the party and worked for an MP after leaving the MSP’s team.
Read more: 'Jaw-dropping': SNP MSP's office was 'bugged by male staff member who is still involved in party'
A source said: “That the party did nothing about it was disgusting. It should have been dealt with.”
Another MSP is alleged to have been targeted when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister and the third in 2024 when Mr Swinney took office.
It is understood senior figures within the SNP were aware of the incidents when they happened, but say Mr Swinney, Mr Yousaf and Ms Sturgeon did not know about the claims.
One source told The Scotsman the actions were “inexplicable” and the lack of sanctions formed part of a “woman problem” within the party.
The Scottish Parliament has offered counselling to the MSP and any other staff members affected by the hidden recordings.
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