Ministers are refusing to publish the outcome of a bullying probe into SNP MP Fergus Ewing in case it “deters” future complainers. Officials also claimed disclosure could make politicians who are complained about less likely to cooperate with any investigations.
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “This is complete nonsense. No one is asking for the names of complainants to be released - this is about the outcome of the investigation only.
"These comments go against every principle of public transparency, accountability, and the SNP’s own actions in previous cases. What is it about this case that has made the SNP change their tune?”
Ewing was the subject of a bullying complaint by civil servants when he served as Sturgeon’s Rural Economy and Tourism Cabinet Secretary. Although the probe was completed last year, the First Minister has refused to comment on whether the complaint was upheld.
She initially cited “GDPR privacy issues” and later said she could risk breaching the law by answering questions. Following a freedom of information request, the Government has refused to hand over the report into the complaint against Ewing.
The response stated: “We have concluded that disclosure of the outcome would cause substantial prejudice to the Scottish Government’s ability to investigate future complaints of improper conduct because it is likely to deter other complainers from coming forward in future.
“We consider that those who make such complaints have a reasonable expectation of confidentiality, and that this is particularly important where there is an imbalance of power (as when a civil servant makes a complaint about a current or former Minister).”
It added: “We also consider that persons complained about are less likely to cooperate voluntarily if they apprehend that information provided by them is likely to be disclosed outwith the process.”
Baillie added: “The SNP Government released the details of complaints against former First Minister, Alex Salmond, without stopping to even acknowledge other complainants. There is something deeply wrong with this response from the Scottish Government.”
Sturgeon said recently that the outcome of future complaints against Ministers will be published, but this would not apply retrospectively.
Ewing, who is no longer a Minister, was asked by the Record recently if the Government should publish the findings.
He said: “I can’t add anything to what the First Minister has said.”
Asked why he could not, he replied: “I am bound by confidentiality.”
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