Well, here we are again, staring at another batch of documents from the Scottish Government, supposedly shedding light on the whole Alex Salmond affair. My initial thought, I must admit, was a weary sigh. It feels like this saga has been dragging on longer than a particularly slow Scottish summer, with less sunshine to show for it.
For years now, people have been trying to get a proper look at what really went on behind the scenes, especially concerning the investigation into whether former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon misled Holyrood about her handling of complaints against her predecessor, Alex Salmond. The independent report by James Hamilton concluded she hadn’t, but even he, the man tasked with the job, expressed frustration with how much of the original material was redacted.
That frustration, let me tell you, is a feeling many of us share. It’s not just about the specific details of this case, but about the broader principle of transparency. When the government fights tooth and nail, through multiple appeals and missed deadlines, to keep information under wraps, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It makes you wonder what exactly they’re so keen to hide.
Take the case of Benjamin Harrop, a member of the public who, bless his cotton socks, simply asked for the evidence given to the Hamilton inquiry. The Scottish Government initially said they didn’t even hold the information, a claim the Information Commissioner later debunked, ruling that they absolutely did. It took a court order, threatened contempt of court proceedings, and two missed deadlines before these latest files saw the light of day. It’s hardly a ringing endorsement for open government, is it?
The files released this week, by all accounts, aren’t even the full shebang. They relate to the setting up and management of the Hamilton referral, not the complete documentation that people like Mr. Harrop were asking for. It feels like getting a wee biscuit when you’ve been promised a full Scottish breakfast. I’m all for celebrating Scotland’s food renaissance, but this constant drip-feed of information isn’t a recipe for building public trust, I can tell you.
Ministers have argued that releasing unredacted files could lead to ‘jigsaw identification’ of the women who made complaints, which would violate a court order. That’s a serious concern, of course, and protecting vulnerable individuals is paramount. Nobody wants to see that compromised. But the constant legal battles and the sheer resistance to releasing anything at all, even after being ordered to do so by the Information Commissioner and the Court of Session, makes it hard for many to see past the allegations of a cover-up.
Supporters of Alex Salmond have certainly been vocal about their suspicions, and while the Scottish Government denies any such thing, their actions, or rather their *in*actions, do little to quell those murmurs. It’s like trying to enjoy a fine Scottish dram when you know there’s a murky sediment at the bottom of the glass. The experience is just not as pure as it should be.
It’s not just this specific case either. This whole protracted process highlights a worrying trend in how government information is handled. Transparency isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Without it, public trust erodes, and when trust in institutions like the Scottish Parliament starts to chip away, we all lose out.
Current First Minister John Swinney is now at the helm, inheriting this particular headache. It’s an opportunity for him to demonstrate a real commitment to openness, not just by releasing documents when legally compelled, but by fostering a culture where such compulsion isn’t necessary in the first place. The people of Scotland deserve to know what their government is doing, and why. It’s a simple expectation, but one that often feels like pulling teeth to achieve.
With four other related cases still heading to the Court of Session, it’s clear this isn’t over. I just hope that eventually, we get the full picture, not just another tantalising glimpse through a keyhole. It’s high time Holyrood remembered that public service means serving the public, and that includes being open and honest with them.
Sources: The Scotsman, Herald Scotland
