Michael Matheson calls for police spy probe to be given time

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33820748

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Scottish Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has said an investigation into reports that two UK police forces spied on journalists must be given time.

The Sunday Herald claimed Police Scotland was one of the unnamed forces.

And a journalist told the BBC the force may have monitored his communications, without judicial approval.

Mr Matheson said the investigations must be free from interference otherwise it risked failing both victims and the wider justice system.

The justice secretary said he could not comment on live cases or ongoing investigations.

But he said any issues arising out of the investigations should be fully addressed by the "appropriate bodies and appropriate action taken".

Meanwhile, Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes has written to the convener of Holyrood's Policing Sub-Committee to ask it to investigate the claims.

On Wednesday evening, investigative journalist Eamon O Connor told BBC Scotland a police source had informed him his communications were being monitored illegally as he investigated the bungled police investigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell.

Mr O Connor said he was concerned that the possibility of being spied on by the police would "intimidate and impede" whistleblowers and people who wanted to come forward to tell the truth.

Police Scotland did not deny his claim but the force said it did not comment on individual cases.

The Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office (IOCCO) said it was investigating possible breaches of the code of practice at two police forces but would not name them while its inquiry was ongoing.

Mr Matheson said he respected the IOCCO's rationale for not naming the forces, which was "clear, simple and sensible".

He defended the Scottish government's record on civil liberties and said it was committed to be "the most transparent, accountable and accessible government yet".

In a letter to Policing Sub-Committee convener Christine Grahame, Ms McInnes said: "Our police officers play a vital role in keeping us safe but I am sure that you will agree that they are not above the law.

"The rules around accessing communications data were changed under the last UK government for good reason.

"A free press is vital to holding the powerful to account. It is the duty of parliament to hold those in public office to account."

The Scottish Conservatives backed the calls for an inquiry by the Justice sub-committee on policing.