SCOTTISH Labour have urged culture secretary Angus Robertson to “come clean” about what he knew about a Historic Environment Scotland (HES) scandal involving a private dinner in Edinburgh Castle.
The party claims that Robertson and his department were aware of HES issuing potentially misleading lines to the media refuting claims that the agency’s director had used an exclusive dining room at the castle and that he failed to properly inform Parliament.
Scottish Labour have obtained a number of emails sent between Scottish Government and HES officials which show Scottish Government concern over the haste that comments were made to the press, with one official saying: “There was no obligation to respond to them so quickly and either a holding line or a commitment to investigate the situation would have been sufficient. HES appears to have publicly defended the situation without knowing whether any wrong doing has taken place.”
The emails refer to an expense scandal that emerged in September when Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr claimed he had been told “by a number of people” that a member of the HES senior leadership team had eaten a meal with a single companion in the Queen Anne building in the castle which he claimed usually cost £12,000 to hire.
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HES was quick to release a statement denying the claims, saying: “The dinner took place in the Queen Anne Building, which was being used throughout the Tattoo period for hospitality packages. On arrival, the employee and their guest, who permanently uses a wheelchair, were accommodated at a table in the bar area at the entrance to the building, by the catering provider, to ensure accessibility and comfort.
“This area is not normally hired out separately during the Tattoo and does not carry a booking fee. They dined from the set menu and the guest’s meal was paid for by the HES employee. At no point was the main room for exclusive use, nor was it used by a single individual and their guest”.
However, the now revealed emails show a Scottish Government official telling an employee of the arm's-length body: “HES do not appear to know all of the facts 24 hours after these lines were deployed, so those lines are potentially misleading.”
It was also revealed that HES had received a number of freedom of information (FOI) requests relating to the private dinner, but the director who was personally involved in the scandal was on the team that was tasked with compiling the information and responding to requests.
An email sent by a Scottish Government official said that they “understand that the responses to the FOIs are being drafted/worked on by one of the people implicated in the allegation that you are reviewing and someone from your comms team.
“I am sure you will appreciate that we view this as completely unacceptable and although we recognise you are currently undertaking the review we would be very grateful if you could advise us what mitigation you are putting in place to ensure all FOIs are dealt with in a lawful way without interference”.
In response to this question, the HES official wrote: “As previously indicated, the individuals mentioned have no authority to approve the release. The IM Team have been in contact with the individual tasked with collating the information and stressed the need to see all information that could be considered in scope of this request, to clarify their role and stress that if there is any indication of reluctance to provide information they should engage with the IM team for assistance.
"The FOI & EIR Policy clearly states that all staff are required to provide information and assist their FOI Leads with support and that the deliberate withholding of information is a criminal act.”
In response to another question asking about the communications sign-off process, the HES official wrote: “We are concerned about other forms of influence, especially given you confirmed that the original misleading press lines issued by HES were developed by the comms officer, in question and the director at the centre of this issue.
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“At that point no other member of HES staff had spoken to that director, but the press lines had been issued. That was not appropriate, given there appears to be a pattern of behaviour, we are trying to ensure that is not continuing.”
Scottish Labour’s constitution, external affairs and culture spokesperson, Neil Bibby commented on the email chain, saying: “It is extraordinary that Angus Robertson did not see fit to disclose to MSPs that behind the scenes, his own officials expressed concerns about potentially misleading information regarding an HES director using their position to enjoy an exclusive dining room at Edinburgh Castle.
“This is despite the claims having been raised with Mr Robertson, and the minister having been urged to investigate. However, Mr Robertson appears to have decided to keep MSPs in the dark.
“This was at a time when Historic Environment Scotland was facing serious questions about misconduct by staff, and just weeks after the resignation of its chairman.
“We have previously been told that Mr Robertson did not meet with the board of HES for more than four years, and this further adds to concerns that he does not have any grip on the organisation.
“This is a body that receives millions of pounds of public money each year, and so it is absolutely imperative that we have full transparency around the governance and conduct of those at senior levels.
“It is simply not good enough for Mr Robertson to use taxpayers’ money to fund his trips around the world, whilst seemingly turning a blind eye to the serious issues that exist at HES. He must come clean about these emails and tell Parliament why he did not act.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson told The National: "The email exchange demonstrates Scottish Government giving advice in its sponsorship function to a public body on a matter which is under investigation.
"Following his appointment by the culture secretary, Sir Mark Jones' priorities as Chair are to ensure HES has the trust of the public and its partners.
"The culture secretary and the Scottish Government will continue to support him in this endeavour to resolve the leadership and governance issues that have been raised."
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