THE UK’s information watchdog is being urged to instruct Boris Johnson’s government to release secret polling it has on attitudes to the Union and Scottish independence which Theresa May fought to keep under wraps.
Tommy Sheppard has stepped up his campaign for the studies to be made public after his requests were blocked by the former PM’s de facto deputy David Lidington.
Yesterday the SNP MP wrote to the information commissioner Elizabeth Denham in a new bid to obtain the research conducted by Ipsos Mori.
Lidington rejected Sheppard’s requests made via parliamentary questions and a freedom of information (FOI) request. His department also turned down Sheppard’s appeal. It has defended the decision arguing it is legitimate to keep the information out of the public domain as it relates to policy formulation. But Sheppard says the UK Government’s policy on supporting the Union is well established.
READ MORE: Scottish independence: Lidington blocks release of key poll
He told the Commissioner: “It concerns me that if the UK Government can use this exemption clause when no specific policy review has been announced or is underway, there is a risk that almost any FOI request could be refused under this clause, effectively subverting the intention of the legislation.”
A recent poll by Lord Ashcroft has shown majority support for independence.
Sheppard said: “Now that support for independence in Scotland is over 52% and rising, it is far from unsurprising that the Cabinet Office conducted secret polling into public attitudes towards independence and are now keeping a lid on these findings.
“After repeatedly failing to answer my parliamentary questions on details of the secret polling and rejecting my FOI, the Cabinet Office must publish the results of the poll without delay – the general public has a right to know these findings.”
READ MORE: BBC Scotland under fire over failure to report Ashcroft indy poll
He added: “It is concerning an internal review upheld the UK government’s position meaning that the Tories can use this exemption clause when no specific policy review has been announced or underway – there is now a risk almost any FOI request could be refused under this clause, subverting the intention of the legislation.
“This looks like a government hell-bent on abusing the FOI system and begs the question – what is it they are trying to hide?
“It is clear the Tories are desperate to keep the results of this poll hidden and are running scared of the rising support for Scottish independence. It is little wonder more and more people are supporting independence – and supporting an independence referendum – given we have a Prime Minister that ignores Scotland’s interests and the growing threat of a No-Deal Brexit.”
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