Highland activist Peter Todd, a well-known critic of the Scottish Government’s centralization of health services, has revealed that he was visited by two officers from Police Scotland over sensitive documents he obtained through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.
FoI Requests Uncover Unredacted Information
Todd, who has gained attention for his frequent use of FoI legislation, recently received unredacted documents from the Scottish Government. These included WhatsApp messages sent during the Covid-19 pandemic by Alyson Stafford, Director General of the Scottish Exchequer.
The messages, which were part of his broader campaign to challenge decisions on health service centralization in the Highlands, reportedly contained sensitive information.
Police Visit Raises Eyebrows
The campaigner disclosed that Police Scotland officers asked him to destroy the unredacted material during their visit. Todd expressed shock at the intervention, describing the experience as “stunning.”
“It’s extraordinary that I’ve been put in this position,” Todd said. “The Scottish Government provided me with these documents. Now, instead of focusing on transparency and accountability, I’m being pressured to destroy them.”
The nature of the police visit has raised concerns about government accountability and the handling of FoI responses. Critics argue that such actions could deter citizens from exercising their right to scrutinize public authorities.
Government Criticism Over Centralization
Todd’s activism centers on opposing what he views as the SNP government’s efforts to centralize health services, which he believes disadvantage rural communities in the Highlands. His use of FoI legislation has uncovered a range of internal communications, intensifying public debate over the transparency of government decisions during the pandemic.
Broader Context
This development comes amid increased scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s handling of transparency and accountability. The unredacted WhatsApp messages, obtained as part of the campaign, add to growing concerns about the use of informal communication channels by government officials during critical decision-making periods.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Government have yet to comment on the specifics of the case.
