We all know that the Alex Salmond case, the camper van, the HQ decoration and the never ending SNP ‘fraud’ investigations were and are deliberate UK security services conspiracy attacks on the SNP, but their own circling of the wagons to protect Angus Robertson is a total self-inflicted cock-up.
From an information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, published today:
Information requested
1. The minutes of Angus Robertson’s meeting with Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK which took place on 8 August 2024. Please also include the full list of attendees and any decisions that were taken by the Scottish Government as a result of this meeting.
2. The full correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Israeli Deputy Ambassador/Israeli Embassy regarding this meeting. Please provide the first piece of correspondence concerning this meeting and every subsequent piece of correspondence until the meeting took place and any follow up correspondence from either party. By correspondence regarding this meeting I mean any communications that took place setting up the date/details etc. of the meeting. https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400426724/
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested attached to this email in Annex A.
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 an exemptions under sections 32(1)(a) and 38(1) (b) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.
Section 32(1)(a) applies to any information that may cause substantial prejudice to international relations between the UK and any other state.
This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the subject matter as well as the interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish and UK Governments being able to maintain good and honest relations with states they choose to engage with.
Section 38(1)(b) applies to personal data belonging to a third party. This includes names of civil servants.
This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.
When some folk say to me, on for example gifts to politicians, ‘They’re all the same’, I defend the SNP but this unbelievably corrupt and frankly stupid response to a legitimate freedom of information request, tells me serious change is needed at the top before 2026 and that my decision to leave for the SSP was the right thing to to do.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
That has left me speechless.
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Disgusted but was “anything but speechless”!
Unfortunately, prior to but definitely since ‘Supreme Court/FREEPORTS etc/continual bowing/kowtowing to ALL English diktat,
I’m continually disgusted by SNP acquiescence and failure to fight against English impositions.
If SNP actually chose to have discussions, without coercion, they really have ‘lost the plot’!
Sovereign Scots would never support the occupation of a Foreign State/Nation and massacre of any peoples.
We were lied to about Iraq/Weapons of Mass Destruction, but now more aware of the dishonesty and warmongering of Colonialist States/Nations, all to get their claws on the assets of FOREIGN STATES/NATIONS.
ScotGov/SNP refusing to have anything to do with the rogue, genocidal Israeli State, would have been the clearest and loudest declaration that Scotland DID NOT support their politically motivated decisions and actions and objected to the English Gov/Establishment claiming “the ‘uk’ supports Israel’s land clearance by genocide”!
The SNP have been infiltrated by R-W/unionists/devolutionists and are no longer seen as “A/THE Party of/for Scottish Independence”.
The Party who started off with fantastic Scots like the great Jimmy Reid, Margo MacDonald and many more, who stood up for Scotland, is festering from within, with the infiltration of the likes of Freeports Forbes and the rest of the current hierarchy.
They close ranks to protect ‘their own/themselves’.
It is to we Sovereign Scots to whom they answer and it is our wishes they should reflect.
Failure to publish all communication of the ‘discussions’, where ScotGov was used as ‘useful puppets’ for “international political optics” of Scottish support, demonstrate an appalling
“lack of political judgement and adherence to the opinions of the majority of Sovereign Scots”.
The sleekit woman did what her ‘mission’ intended, used and ‘stuck it to ScotGov/Scotland’ to suit the Colonialist English Establishment.
After years in politics and political power, they should not remain ‘so naive’ of the duplicity of ‘the powerful’.
What they were doing to Gaza etc, should have ensured that Scotland would NOT meet/discuss ‘future projects’ with such a rogue Nation.
The contents of the communication must be of great concern.
Will ‘the other Party/or their friendly English Gov’ deliberately leak information to further harm the ScotGov/SNP.
When will they bloody learn, how they/we’re used and abused, by FOREIGN entities.
Will the SNP ever regain our trust?!
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Thanks Dr. John this information ties up some loose ends in the defamation of Alex Salmond .
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Do share
Golfnut
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Why not try the Scotland Office as its rep must have been there under the rules laid down by the previous government.
Perhaps the UK Government might have information on this meeting as it concerns international matters.
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I suspect this is under ‘ instruction ‘ from the UK gov. Angus Robertson was pilloried for this meeting, certainly one of the major questions which was raised was whether Angus Robertson was quite literally ambushed by the establishment. Any information, which implied or proved that point would be good news for the SNP and the SG. Think about it.
Golfnut
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Wh
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There is no “scandal”, to think releasing this material would not lead to an attack by the Israeli govt on Scotland at Labours behest, given the deep ties Starmer et al has with Israeli govt members, is naive at best, utterly disingenuous at worst. I normally respect and promote this blog as a reputable source, but this as “analysis” has thrown that into serious question. Angus Robertson and Scotgov were and are still in a very difficult and extremely vulnerable position with regards to Israel, leaving them open to attacks by the UK Govt of being “antisemitic” if not very carefully handled, that you fail to see this causes me to question your judgement in relation to such analysis. I respectfully suggest it would be wise to rewrite this section of what is usually an otherwise excellent source to counter unionist propaganda before it is used as base material to relaunch an attack by MSM Unionist journalists.
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I note your reservations with regard to this article and it is possible that the kinds of things you warn against might happen.
But, given how UK Governments, the unionists parties and almost all of the media have been pretty hostile to the Scottish Government since it was established in 1997 and even more so since 2007, would supporters of independence and others who are swithering, have their views changed by such an attack?
As most people are aware, any criticism of the actions of the Government of Israel is always met with accusations of antisemitism. Indeed, Jewish people who criticise the government of Israel – and there is a substantial number – have also been accused of antisemitism.
Trust in UK Governments has been declining for most of this century. The clownish, incompetent and manifestly corrupt governments of 2015/2024 disgusted much of the population and confirmed the view of many that they are ‘all in it for themselves’. While I do not entirely agree, because I have met many sincere politicians of many parties (not Reform, et al), I think that enough crooks have got themselves into positions of power and influence to give the assertion a degree of believability. And the shabbily crass actions of Sir Bung-me and cabinet members has caused more people to contempt for politicians.
Sir Bung-me has made an arse of himself since the start of the present Middle East genocidal war, despite the fact that there is huge opposition in the UK to IDF actions, including amongst a large proportion of Labour voters.
So, I say, ‘publish and be damned’.
Alasdair Macdonald
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Angus Robertson is finished – absolutely finished and disgraced – history will condemn him as a Westminster stooge- unless he presents himself for interviews on international media- now- to answer all of the questions himself. The world is watching. He has prejudiced Scotland’s place in the world by appearing to follow Westminster line. He can either confess to being bullied or just confess in general and apologise-to Scotland- before resigning.
In the midst of genocidal carnage, he has no choice.
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I’ve bitten my lip for years now but there is a limit. The thousands of dead weans is a red line for me.
Attack by Israeli gov on Scotland? We should back down for fear of that whatever you imagine it might be?
Look at Ireland? South Africa? Many many other countries have had the guts and the principles needed.
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