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Police accused of treating journalists with ‘same suspicion’ as criminals

Liam KerrJournalists are being treated with the same degree of suspicion as criminals under new police guidelines, according to a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

A new policy by Police Scotland requires officers to notify the force of “associations” they have with MSPs and journalists, as well as anyone with a criminal conviction and people charged with an offence on matters involving dishonesty, disorder, sexual conduct and serious crimes.

According to the document, an “association” is defined as including “meeting or uniting for a common purpose”, “keeping company or being familiar with” an individual in these groups, or “friendship, intimacy or connection”.

It reads: “This would include but is not limited to: journalists; researchers for news/gossip publications and/or internet resources; internet, television or radio presenters where there may be a potential conflict with Police Scotland Operations/Investigations.”

The Police Scotland guidelines are completely separate from the College of Policing guidelines recently issued to forces in England and Wales which have been criticised by industry leaders for lack of openness.

The Scottish Police Federation has said the system would “not be out of place in a banana republic”, while MSPs have also criticised the policy.

Conservative MSP Liam Kerr, pictured above left, told Glasgow-based daily The Herald: “This is a truly bizarre inclusion to procedures. It is likely to create widespread questions as to why Police Scotland are treating both journalists and MSPs with the same suspicion as criminals.

“Rather frustratingly, this is yet another example of Police Scotland avoiding transparency and accountability. When police officers contact journalists or MSPs to pass on information or concerns, it is done in the public interest, and it would be a worrying step if that type of whistle blowing practice were to be stopped or hindered.”

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur added: “The public will find it absurd that officers are required to treat an association with a member of the media or a political party, in the same way as an association with someone with a criminal conviction.

“As an elected representative, it is important that officers feel secure in sharing their concerns with me on a confidential basis. In the public interest, Police Scotland should consider clarifying or revising these guidelines.”

Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs, head of professional standards for Police Scotland, said: “The guidance in the SOP has undergone a Human Rights Equality Impact Assessment, and we also provide guidance to our people in relation to ‘whistleblowing’ which is designed to reassure and support Police Scotland employees who wish to provide information in relation to matters that concern them.”