MSP '˜outraged' at being denied police question
Neil Findlay had asked to attend the committee, but was denied an opportunity to ask a question by Christine Grahame, something he described as “outrageous”.
Mr Findlay, who is not a member of the committee, said he had written to Chief Constable Phil Gormley on January 14 asking a series of questions about the officer’s involvement in the Metropolitan Police’s Special Branch, but had yet to receive a response.
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Hide AdPolice Scotland confirmed in January that Mr Gormley was head of Special Branch in 2006 – the division which had responsibility for the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), which investigated environmental and political activist groups.
Last year the Metropolitan Police issued an “unreserved apology” to a number of women tricked into relationships by undercover officers attached to units including the SDS.
Speaking after the committee, Mr Findlay said: “So much for openness and democratic accountability. The only time we’ll get to speak to the chief before the recess and I basically get turfed out.”