THE SNP are demanding a full public inquiry into the Tory “texts for contracts” scandal – and have piled the pressure on Boris Johnson to publish all of his own correspondence.
The Conservative leader indicated during Prime Minister’s Questions that he would do so following revelations about his contact with Sir James Dyson.
Johnson personally promised the Tory donor he would “fix” an issue over the tax status of his employees after being directly lobbied by the entrepreneur, it was reported earlier.
In the Commons, the Prime Minister insisted he had nothing to hide under questioning from Ian Blackford and appeared to agree that he would release “all personal exchanges” on coronavirus contracts by the end of the day.
Last year, it was reported the Prime Minister is using an encrypted messaging service in which messages can be permanently deleted.
WATCH: Boris Johnson claims Ian Blackford's dog is 'more sensible' than he is
The SNP Westminster leader has now penned a letter to Number 10 to demand action.
Blackford writes: “The 'texts for contracts' scandal at the centre of your government is growing more and more serious with every day and with every allegation. This morning's revelations regarding your own personal texting exchange with Conservative party donor, James Dyson, have added to genuine and growing public concern about privileged access and process in the operation of covid contracts.
“As Prime Minister, you are now at the very heart of this scandal. It is now clear that we need a comprehensive, independent public inquiry to achieve transparency and accountability. Alongside that full and thorough inquiry though, the public also deserve answers and transparency right now.”
Following #PMQs, I have written to @BorisJohnson calling for an independent public inquiry into the Tory ‘texts for contracts’ scandal.
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) April 21, 2021
The public need full transparency and accountability over the contracts, access, influence and peerages being handed to Tory friends and donors pic.twitter.com/qh2MhiLwYj
He adds: “This afternoon at Prime Minister's Questions, you gave a welcome and specific commitment to ‘immediately' publish all your personal correspondence relating to Covid contracts.
“This commitment is now in the record of the House of Commons. The public have the right to expect that you will stand by this commitment – if there is nothing to conceal then I presume you will follow through on this promise. I therefore look forward to and expect the full publication of all your personal exchanges on Covid contracts by the end of today.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson told Sir James Dyson he would ‘fix’ tax issue in text
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Johnson brushed off suggestions there had been any wrongdoing regarding his correspondence with Dyson.
He stated: "There's absolutely nothing to conceal about this and I am happy to share all the details with the House, as indeed I have shared them with my officials immediately.
"It's thanks to that immediate action that we've been able to roll out ... to help the people of the whole United Kingdom to get access in record times to the vaccines on which we all depend."
He added: "We've had to work at incredible speed and I think the people of this country understand that it's sometimes necessary to act decisively to get things done."
The BBC said it has seen a series of text messages between Johnson and Dyson after the Brexiteer entrepreneur was unable to get the assurances he was seeking from the Treasury.
The exchanges took place in March 2020, when the Government was appealing to firms to supply ventilators amid fears the NHS could run out.
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