FOI/202600519546 · FOI · partially withheld
Special Advisers' communications containing specific terms regarding Scottish National Party finances: FOI release
Information requested
Please could you provide all communications sent or received by Scottish Government Special Advisers containing any of the following terms:
“Murrell” “Branchform “SNP Finances” “Embezzlement”
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. It may be helpful if I explain that Special Advisers regularly receive communications containing summaries of recent media activity, and much of the information within scope of your request comes from these communications. I have removed the information within these documents that is not within scope of your request.
Please note that some of the information you have requested, namely a note from the Lord Advocate to the First Minister on 19 January 2026, can be found at: Correspondence which mentions former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release - gov.scot where it has been published in response to a previous FOI request. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to that information.
Section 38(1)(b) (personal data of a third party) Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) Section 30(c) (the effective conduct of public affairs)
The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to that information. Section 38(1)(b) (personal data of a third party) Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) Section 30(c) (the effective conduct of public affairs) The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.