Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf (Image: Getty)
Humza Yousaf has been accused of continuing Nicola Sturgeon’s “addiction to cover-up and secrecy” after it was revealed the Scottish Government had responded to just one-third of FOI requests in full and on time.
Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross also described the revelation as “scandalous” - with Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie sharing her frustration at what she called a “culture of secrecy” perpetuated by the SNP.
An investigation by Scottish Labour revealed that in 2023, the Scottish Government received 4,459 Freedom Of Information requests.
However, only 1,434 of these received a full response within the legal timescales – meaning more than 68 per cent of FOIs were either late, refused or redacted.
Mr Ross told Express.co.uk: “Successive SNP First Ministers have fronted-up a government that is addicted to cover-up and secrecy and all too keen to avoid scrutiny. Sadly for the Scottish people, Humza Yousaf has continued that culture.
Don't miss... Tory MPs who have said they won't stand as Tracey Crouch becomes latest [LATEST]
Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross (Image: Getty)
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Mr Ross continued: “The SNP’s record in responding to FOI responses from journalists and the public is nothing short of scandalous but is sadly what we have come to expect from the nationalists.
“From their shameful deletion of messages during the pandemic, to evading key questions on their ferry fiasco, their disdain for FOI requests has been repeatedly exposed.
“Scots deserve better than the SNP who want to keep them in the dark in relation to crucial - and reckless - decisions they have taken.”
Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie (Image: Getty)
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
The SNP government’s handling of FOI requests during the Covid pandemic has been roundly criticised in recent weeks, prompting a Level 3 intervention from the Scottish Information Commissioner, who declared that the evidence supplied to the ongoing COVID-19 Inquiry “raises significant practice concerns”.
Ms Baillie said: “Once again the SNP is treating the public with contempt and attempting to stifle scrutiny.
“Time and time again we see the SNP’s disregard for transparency on display, from their woeful record on FOIs to the shameful destruction of evidence during the Covid pandemic.
“Scotland deserves better than the rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up this SNP government has created.
Laura Kuenssberg grills Humza Yousaf on Scottish Independence
Trending
“Scottish Labour will strengthen FOI laws and clean up Holyrood by bolstering government accountability and oversight.”
Labour asked the Scottish Government how many requests for information made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2003 (FOISA) it had received between January 1 and December 31 2023, and of these, how many received a full response within the 20 working day limit as set out in the legislation.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
'Didn't believe her for a minute!' Top Tory savages Nicola Sturgeon over Covid tears
73 Comments
POLL: Do you feel sorry for Nicola Sturgeon?
509 Comments
'That's why she cried!' Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up'
560 Comments
Fury as Welsh Labour pay millions in taxpayer cash to 20mph rollout supporter
488 Comments
Humza Yousaf under fire as SNP allows civil servants to work abroad for 28 days each year
84 Comments
Even Labour MPs don't know what Keir Starmer stands for
Comments
'Look me in the eye': Rishi Sunak confronted by furious Covid vaccine campaginer
90 Comments
'Right-on' Rishi Sunak missed an opportunity on GB News to deal with his biggest critic
7 Comments
Rishi Sunak issues warning over Labour as Brits urged not to fall for Keir Starmer's 'con'
407 Comments
Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign
153 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen will be overjoyed as a Hungarian tragedy takes out Brexit allies
203 Comments
Keir Starmer finally cuts ties with Labour by-election candidate after fresh row explodes
509 Comments
Labour under fire as party stands by Rochdale by-election candidate over Israel row
547 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
38 Comments
Humza Yousaf expected to pick hated rival Kate Forbes for top job as SNP run out of talent
80 Comments
‘Utter humiliation' for Humza Yousaf as SNP Health Secretary quits over ￡11k iPad Bill
329 Comments
Humza Yousaf skewered over Scottish independence after fresh Brexit swipe
362 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon to face major Covid inquiry grilling today after bombshell claims emerge
972 Comments
SNP's 'true, rotten colours' exposed by two key findings at Covid inquiry
656 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon torn apart by Question Time audience member in brutal inquiry takedown
361 Comments
'Didn't believe her for a minute!' Top Tory savages Nicola Sturgeon over Covid tears
73 Comments
POLL: Do you feel sorry for Nicola Sturgeon?
509 Comments
'That's why she cried!' Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up'
560 Comments
Fury as Welsh Labour pay millions in taxpayer cash to 20mph rollout supporter
488 Comments
Humza Yousaf under fire as SNP allows civil servants to work abroad for 28 days each year
84 Comments
Even Labour MPs don't know what Keir Starmer stands for
Comments
'Look me in the eye': Rishi Sunak confronted by furious Covid vaccine campaginer
90 Comments
'Right-on' Rishi Sunak missed an opportunity on GB News to deal with his biggest critic
7 Comments
Rishi Sunak issues warning over Labour as Brits urged not to fall for Keir Starmer's 'con'
407 Comments
Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign
153 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen will be overjoyed as a Hungarian tragedy takes out Brexit allies
203 Comments
Keir Starmer finally cuts ties with Labour by-election candidate after fresh row explodes
509 Comments
Labour under fire as party stands by Rochdale by-election candidate over Israel row
547 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
38 Comments
Humza Yousaf expected to pick hated rival Kate Forbes for top job as SNP run out of talent
80 Comments
‘Utter humiliation' for Humza Yousaf as SNP Health Secretary quits over ￡11k iPad Bill
329 Comments
Humza Yousaf skewered over Scottish independence after fresh Brexit swipe
362 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon to face major Covid inquiry grilling today after bombshell claims emerge
972 Comments
SNP's 'true, rotten colours' exposed by two key findings at Covid inquiry
656 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon torn apart by Question Time audience member in brutal inquiry takedown
361 Comments
'Didn't believe her for a minute!' Top Tory savages Nicola Sturgeon over Covid tears
73 Comments
POLL: Do you feel sorry for Nicola Sturgeon?
509 Comments
'That's why she cried!' Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up'
560 Comments
Fury as Welsh Labour pay millions in taxpayer cash to 20mph rollout supporter
488 Comments
Humza Yousaf under fire as SNP allows civil servants to work abroad for 28 days each year
84 Comments
Even Labour MPs don't know what Keir Starmer stands for
Comments
'Look me in the eye': Rishi Sunak confronted by furious Covid vaccine campaginer
90 Comments
Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam told Express.co.uk: "The Scottish Government is currently responding to 97 percent of FOI requests within the statutory deadline, despite an increase of 66 percent in requests since 2019, to over 5,000 requests in 2023.
"Inevitably, it is sometimes necessary for organisations’ responses to apply the exemptions – as Parliament agreed when passing the legislation, for example to withhold personal data such as names.
“Scotland has the most open and far-reaching Freedom of Information legislation in the UK and the Scottish Government remains committed to our obligations under the Act to ensure openness and transparency.”
Related articles 'Stinks of secrecy' - Nicola Sturgeon torn apart by Question Time audience Cash-strapped Scotland forced to put 30 churches up for sale to save money Humiliation for Humza Yousaf as Health Secretary quits over ￡11k iPad Bill Humza Yousaf expected to pick hated rival for top job as SNP runs out of talent Threatened red squirrels at risk by proposed wind farm, campaigner warns