This document sets out the basis for a formal investigation into the use of Scottish Government resources, public money, and potential party-political activities between 2017 and 2026. It examines whether the constitutional boundary between government functions and SNP activities was blurred or crossed.
This document is a formal request for an independent investigation into whether Scottish Government resources were used for party-political purposes between 1 January 2017 and 31 August 2026. It is addressed to those responsible for oversight of public expenditure and ministerial conduct. The document does not allege any specific offence but identifies objectively testable issues concerning public expenditure, procurement, government employees, special advisers, premises, vehicles, equipment,…
The first section establishes the primary constitutional principle that public resources must not be used for party-political purposes, citing the Scottish Ministerial Code. It lists specific areas for examination including government premises used for party activity, government equipment used to produce party material, civil servants undertaking party work, government communications resources producing political material, and public expenditure generating party-political benefit. The section…
The document addresses the political impartiality of the Civil Service under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. It poses six specific questions about whether civil servants were asked to undertake party-political work, prepare party material, support political campaigning, or attend party conferences. A separate section examines the role of Special Advisers, distinguishing between legitimate political advice to ministers and work performed for a political party. It lists…
The financial framework is covered through the Scottish Public Finance Manual, which requires expenditure to represent value for money with attention to regularity and propriety. The procurement section references the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, and subsequent regulations. It identifies factors requiring examination in politically connected procurement including conflicts of interest, declarations, procurement routes, competition,…
The document examines government communications under Ministerial Code restrictions on official facilities and publicity. It lists specific areas for investigation including government photography, video production, graphics, social media content, speechwriting, media preparation, press offices and ministerial accounts. The final section addresses government facilities and property, specifically Bute House, ministerial offices, government buildings, meeting rooms, vehicles, official…