MSP office 'bugged' by male colleague

Swinney warned SNP has ‘woman problem’ as spy scandal is ‘swept under the carpet’

- BEN BORLAND

JOHN SWINNEY was told the SNP has a “woman problem” within the party after a bombshell report that a Nat MSP’s office was “bugged” by a male staffer.

The story broke yesterday as Holyrood finished up for its two-week Christmas break.

A report in the Scotsman newspaper claimed the man had admitted planting the recording devices during an HR probe into a separate issue. He is still involved with the SNP and has not faced any sanctions from the party.

The female MSP — who the Scottish Express has chosen not to name — and other members of staff are said to have been offered counselling by the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “It appears a grave breach of privacy and potentially criminal behaviour has been swept under the carpet by the SNP. Once again it looks like the SNP chose to close ranks and protect their own, rather than dealing with serious misconduct head-on.

“John Swinney must come clean about what he knew and when.”