CLAIMS that former SNP leader Arthur Donaldson had links with Nazism are a “complete and utter myth”, according to the author of a new book on Scottish nationalism.
Richard Finlay, professor of Scottish history at the University of Strathclyde, said such reports on the politician, who led the party in the 1960s, were typically based on ‘hearsay from anonymous informants’.
He said there is “no evidence” either from Donaldson’s private papers or from German archives which points to him having an affinity with Nazism.
One example of the claims is a widely reported story which was based on MI5 files released by the National Archives of London.
The documents said that Donaldson had reportedly told an MI5 agent in 1941 that he anticipated a German invasion and that he would be prepared to establish an independent, pro-Nazi Scottish government.
According to reports, he was arrested and taken to Barlinnie prison, but released after it became apparent that MI5 was not prepared to produce the informant to give evidence if he appealed.
Finlay, who consulted private papers and the correspondence in the archives of key figures of the independence movement for his new book ‘Scottish Nationalism History, Ideology and the Question of Independence’, said the story was typical in being “hearsay based on the report of anonymous informants”.
He said: “It looks like a classic case of an informant telling his handler what he wants to hear.
“There is no evidence of this among his papers, no signs of having an ideological affinity with Nazism – nor has there been any evidence from German archives.”
During his nine-year leadership, Donaldson was credited with transforming the SNP from a fringe group into a mainstream party.
Finlay said Donaldson had been targeted for his anti-conscription activities during the war, including being put under surveillance by the authorities.
He said reports linking Donaldson to Nazism had given too much credibility to evidence from informants and spies, and were a “complete and utter myth”.
Finlay added: “It would never fly in a libel case, they would just say this is hearsay. I’ve been through Arthur Donaldson’s papers and there absolutely nothing in them to suggest it.
“If there was anything like that it would have been pretty obvious.”
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