Scots Government refuse to release WhatsApp messages about Angus Robertson meeting with Israeli diplomat

Scottish Government officials exchanged hundreds of emails and WhatsApp messages about a controversial meeting with an Israeli representative.

Angus Robertson was sent to the session with Daniela Grudsky, the country’s deputy ambassador to the UK, sparking public and political outcry last month

A Freedom of Information request about the August 8 appointment showed Scottish Government officials described it as a “normal diplomatic meeting” weeks before it took place.

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They’ve refused to release the majority of the emails they exchanged about the meeting and 48 WhatsApp messages are also completely redacted.

In one email exchange on July 19, the Scottish Government’s special advisers asked another Holyrood department what the UK Foreign Office’s view was on the arrangement.

The Scottish Government employee replied: “On meeting the Deputy Head of Mission, they’re relaxed. It’s a normal diplomatic meeting.”

Dozens of Whatsapps were exchanged between an International Relations employee and an unknown other individual between July 30 and August 13. The Scottish Government has refused to release the exchanges.

Angus Roberston was roundly criticised for attending the event with Grudsky and later apologised.

The Government documents confirm that First Minister John Swinney was aware of the event and sanctioned the Culture Secretary’s attendance.

An email from August 5 sent on behalf of Swinney said: “The First Minister has noted the Cab Sec will meet the Israeli DCM [Deputy Chief of Mission].”

Officials also claimed they would not publicise that the meeting had taken place until the week after “for security reasons”, and have refused to release the official minutes from the session.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The meeting request from the Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador was accepted on the basis it would provide an opportunity to convey the Scottish Government’s consistent and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This position was made clear by the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs during the meeting.”

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