AN SNP MP has branded Theresa May “one of the most evasive Prime Ministers in history” after the Tory leader again refused to answer questions over meetings between the UK Government, Cambridge Analytica and Canadian political consultancy and technology firm AggregateIQ.
At Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons yesterday, Deidre Brock challenged May to “spill the beans” on who from her government met with Cambridge Analytica and AggregateIQ and when meetings took place, following confirmation from the Foreign Office that they happened.
Both companies were accused of using illegal Facebook data collection methods during the Brexit vote and 2016 US election. Downing Street has previously denied that meetings took place.
The SNP have been urging May to “come clean” on connections between her government and the firms. Brock has written to the UK Government several times about the meetings, and repeatedly raised the issue at PMQs. She says she has received different information from different departments.
It was reported in the Times last year that the parent company of Cambridge Analytica, Strategic Communication Laboratories, has received hundreds of thousands of pounds from the UK Government over the past decade.
Brock said: “Theresa May must be one of the most evasive Prime Ministers in history. She has once again dodged my questions on these murky meetings, despite her government confirming they took place.
“It is high time the Prime Minister came clean on when these meetings took place, who from her government attended and what was discussed. These companies have been slammed by the Electoral Commission and Information Commissioner yet they have had unrecorded access to the heart of this Tory government.
“Not recording a visit in the transparency data register is a serious breach of the rules – both Downing Street and the Tory Party have difficult questions to answer over their dealings with Cambridge Analytica and AggregateIQ.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel