Scotland’s police watchdog has been slammed for cutting public access to official meetings during the coronavirus lockdown.
It comes weeks after police were handed unprecedented powers to enforce public order.
In a statement on their website, the SPA said essential business is taking place by phone and video.
But unlike parliamentary meetings, the oversight group claim they are “unable to livestream” meetings or publish later in recorded format.
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has now written to SPA vice chair David Crichton demanding a re-think.
McArthur said: “Given that both of our parliaments have managed to adapt to using remote video technology, it should not be beyond the ability of the SPA to broadcast these meetings.
“The police have been given unprecedented powers due to the coronavirus crisis. That deserves proper public scrutiny.
“The Scottish Police Authority must ensure that these meetings are open and accountable to the public. We cannot have huge decisions taken behind closed doors.”
The next meeting is due on April 30. Live streaming was also unavailable at the last meeting in March.
The SPA has had a controversial track record with transparency.
MSPs previously probed claims of a culture of secrecy, and one politician compared it to the Kremlin.
