This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-alex-salmond-tried-to-influence-st-andrews-principal-who-raised-funding-concerns-9737147.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scottish independence: Alex Salmond 'tried to influence St Andrews principal' who raised funding concerns | Scottish independence: Alex Salmond 'tried to influence St Andrews principal' who raised funding concerns |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Alex Salmond phoned the principal of St Andrews University after she claimed independence could be “catastrophic” for Scottish universities to talk her round, it has been claimed. | Alex Salmond phoned the principal of St Andrews University after she claimed independence could be “catastrophic” for Scottish universities to talk her round, it has been claimed. |
| The First Minister’s chief of staff also contacted the respected institution after Professor Louise Richardson gave an interview in March last year, the Telegraph reported. | The First Minister’s chief of staff also contacted the respected institution after Professor Louise Richardson gave an interview in March last year, the Telegraph reported. |
| Speaking to The Times, she had warned that secession could threaten access to £3 billion of UK scientific research funds, potentially proving “catastrophic” for the funding of Scottish universities. | Speaking to The Times, she had warned that secession could threaten access to £3 billion of UK scientific research funds, potentially proving “catastrophic” for the funding of Scottish universities. |
| “We would lose our top academics. We would fail to attract serious academics,” she added. | “We would lose our top academics. We would fail to attract serious academics,” she added. |
| "If Scotland were to set up a research council, it would be very difficult in this small country for all the decisions to be made on the basis of excellence alone.” | "If Scotland were to set up a research council, it would be very difficult in this small country for all the decisions to be made on the basis of excellence alone.” |
| Knowing the comments would get widespread coverage in the British press, Mr Salmond’s office attempted to persuade Professor Richardson to “clarify” her statements. | Knowing the comments would get widespread coverage in the British press, Mr Salmond’s office attempted to persuade Professor Richardson to “clarify” her statements. |
| The First Minister himself telephoned Professor Richardson in a conversation described as “loud and heated” by a source but the university and his office declined to disclose what was said. | The First Minister himself telephoned Professor Richardson in a conversation described as “loud and heated” by a source but the university and his office declined to disclose what was said. |
| Louise Richardson, Principal of the University of St Andrews Email exchanges between special advisers and the university, where Mr Salmond gained an MA in economics and history, were released to the Telegraph following a freedom of information request. | Louise Richardson, Principal of the University of St Andrews Email exchanges between special advisers and the university, where Mr Salmond gained an MA in economics and history, were released to the Telegraph following a freedom of information request. |
| A St Andrews press officer, Emma Shea, wrote to Professor Richardson that she and a special adviser had drafted a statement saying she was “confident the Scottish Government are taking the necessary steps to ensure research council funding will be maintained”. | A St Andrews press officer, Emma Shea, wrote to Professor Richardson that she and a special adviser had drafted a statement saying she was “confident the Scottish Government are taking the necessary steps to ensure research council funding will be maintained”. |
| The proposed statement backed the Scottish National Party, saying it had “risen to the challenge” on university fees and criticising the Westminster Government “south of the border”. | The proposed statement backed the Scottish National Party, saying it had “risen to the challenge” on university fees and criticising the Westminster Government “south of the border”. |
| Professor Richardson replied saying she “[could] not agree to this statement” and an email arrived later in the afternoon from Mr Salmond’s chief of staff, Geoff Aberdein. | Professor Richardson replied saying she “[could] not agree to this statement” and an email arrived later in the afternoon from Mr Salmond’s chief of staff, Geoff Aberdein. |
| Sent to St Andrews’ communications director, it said a further comment would “help us both” and outlined what it should cover. | Sent to St Andrews’ communications director, it said a further comment would “help us both” and outlined what it should cover. |
| A shorter comment was eventually agreed, saying: “We acknowledge that the Scottish government is working hard to resolve this issue [of research funding].“ The revelations come amid continued allegations of bullying and intimidation, particularly by the pro-independence campaigners, in the Scottish referendum debate. | |
| Ed Miliband said the campaign “has an ugly” side after he was forced to cut a visit short in Edinburgh on Tuesday, while George Galloway was allegedly told he was going to “face a bullet” while speaking in Glasgow. | Ed Miliband said the campaign “has an ugly” side after he was forced to cut a visit short in Edinburgh on Tuesday, while George Galloway was allegedly told he was going to “face a bullet” while speaking in Glasgow. |
| Politicians on both sides continue to trade claims and counter-claims about the NHS and economic policy as polls indicate Thursday’s vote is on a knife-edge. | Politicians on both sides continue to trade claims and counter-claims about the NHS and economic policy as polls indicate Thursday’s vote is on a knife-edge. |
| A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: “The First Minister hugely values Louise Richardson’s input on a whole range of issues, including as a member of his council of economic advisers, and the contact with the university in this case was part of that routine dialogue. | A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: “The First Minister hugely values Louise Richardson’s input on a whole range of issues, including as a member of his council of economic advisers, and the contact with the university in this case was part of that routine dialogue. |
| “Mr Aberdein was simply doing his job, and the discussions with counterparts at the university were cordial, as the email exchanges show.” | “Mr Aberdein was simply doing his job, and the discussions with counterparts at the university were cordial, as the email exchanges show.” |