SNP ministers have been accused of leading a “culture of secrecy” after new evidence emerged of them flouting transparency laws.
Figures obtained by Scottish Labor show that less than a third of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were fully answered within the legal limit of 20 working days.
It comes as the Scottish Information Commissioner revealed earlier this month that the Scottish Government would launch an investigation into its retention of unofficial messaging following scrutiny over deleted WhatsApps during the UK coronavirus inquiry. It continues.
Messages obtained by the investigation showed senior Scottish government officials joking with each other about how to defeat FOI requests by deleting the messages and making it impossible for the information to be released.
Scottish Labor figures show that in 2023, the Scottish Government provided a complete response to 1,434 FOI requests within 20 days.
But last year, 4,459 were received. That means approximately 68% were late, rejected, or edited.
It is legal to deny requests if certain exceptions apply, but all must be responded to within 20 business days.
“The SNP is trying to shut down scrutiny”
Dame Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of the Scottish Labor Party, said: “Once again the SNP is disrespecting the people and attempting to crush scrutiny.”
“We have seen the SNP’s disregard for transparency exposed time and time again, from its dismal record on FOI to its shameful destruction of evidence during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Scotland deserves better than the rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up that this SNP government has created.”
Scottish Labor MSP Katie Clark will bring a bill to Holyrood Island aimed at expanding right-to-know laws after gaining cross-party support.
The proposals include extending the scope to all organizations providing public services and would also introduce a legal obligation to proactively publish information.
Parliamentary Business Secretary George Adam said: “The Scottish Government now completes 97 per cent of FOI requests within statutory deadlines, despite an increase of 66 per cent since 2019 and over 5,000 requests in 2023. We are responding,” he said.
“Necessary exemption”
“Inevitably, exceptions may need to be applied to an organization’s response, such as withholding personal data such as names, as Congress agreed to when passing the bill.
“Scotland has some of the most open and far-reaching freedom of information laws in the UK and the Scottish Government will continue to comply with its obligations under those laws to ensure openness and transparency.”