MP uses parliamentary privilege to level allegations against SNP officials
Last updated 17th Mar 2021
Messages disclosed by a whistleblower show there was a "concerted effort by senior members of the SNP to encourage complaints'' against Alex Salmond, a Conservative former minister has said.
David Davis made the claim as he used parliamentary privilege to raise concerns about the processes surrounding the investigation into the former SNP leader.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has faced questions in recent weeks in relation to the botched handling of harassment complaints against her predecessor.
Speaking in an adjournment debate, Mr Davis told the Commons the UK Government must "reinforce the ability of the Scottish Parliament to hold its own government to account''.
He said: "A few weeks ago I was passed some papers from an anonymous whistleblower.''
Mr Davis said the information of the papers consisted of a download of text messages from the telephone of a senior SNP official.
He added: "Now Alex Salmond has asserted that there has been, and I quote 'a malicious and concerted attempt to remove me from public life in Scotland by a range of individuals within the Scottish government and the SNP' who set out to damage his reputation, even to the extent of having him imprisoned.
"These are incredibly grave charges, the whistleblower clearly agrees with those charges.
"He or she starts their communication with the assertion that the evidence provided, and I quote, 'point to collusion, perjury, up to criminal conspiracy'.''
Mr Davis told MPs the messages present a case "which demands serious investigation, by which I mean at the very least a thorough review of all the emails and other electronic records for the relevant personnel at all the relevant times''.
He added: "For example, these texts show that there is a concerted effort by senior members of the SNP to encourage complaints.''
Mr Davis went on to refer to what the messages suggested.
Replying for the Government, Scotland Office minister Iain Stewart did not comment specifically on the allegations made by Mr Davis.
A spokesman for First Minister Ms Sturgeon said in a statement: "As with Mr Salmond's previous claims and cherry picking of messages, the reality is very different to the picture being presented.
"Every message involving SNP staff has been seen by the committee previously. Their views have been widely reported as dismissive of them.''