Fury within SNP over claims John Swinney was told about Spygate affair 'months ago'
John Swinneywas informed about a spying incident against one of his female MSPs months ago despite claims he had no knowledge of the scandal.
By HANNAH RODGER, CHIEF REPORTER FOR THE SCOTTISH MAIL ON SUNDAY
Published: 18:36 GMT, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 18:39 GMT, 27 December 2025
John Swinney was informed about a spying incident against one of his female MSPs months ago despite claims he had no knowledge of the scandal.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that three senior sources have confirmed the First Minister was present during an SNP Holyrood group meeting in September when an MSP discussed having been spied on by a male aide, in what has been dubbed ‘Spygate’.
Reports emerged earlier this month about one female Nationalist MSP who had been covertly recorded by a male staff member, allegedly in an effort to gather evidence to later use against her.
The man is also believed to have leaked embarrassing private messages sent by the MSP after leaving her employ.
Two other female MSPs were reported to have been ‘bugged’ by male staffers in similar incidents.
One of the aides involved left the employ of the MSP and went to work for a Nationalist MP until last year. He still holds a prominent position in a local SNP branch.
The First Minister condemned the practice and said it was ‘completely unacceptable’. SNP spin doctors later claimed neither he, nor any previous first minister, had any knowledge of the incidents.
But The Mail on Sunday has heard from three SNP sources who said one of the targeted MSPs raised the issue in Mr Swinney’s presence.
Three senior SNP sources have confirmed to the Scottish Mail on Sunday that John Swinney was informed about a spying incident against one of his female MSPs months ago
They said: ‘John knew about this so I don’t understand why he claims he didn’t. [The MSP] brought this up at a group meeting and he was there.
'It was in the context of the toilet spy camera scandal. They were challenging the idea that MSPs being spied on was in some way unusual, given what happened to them.’
Colin Smyth, a former Labour MSP, was arrested and charged in August after a spy camera was found in a toilet at the Scottish parliament. The South Scotland MSP, who was separately charged in connection with possession of indecent images, denied the allegations and will appear in court next year.
A second SNP source said: ‘I remember the spying issue being brought up because it was just after we returned from the summer recess, which is when the Colin Smyth stuff had been going on.
‘There had been advice issued about safety and there was a discussion at the group meeting where [an MSP] mentioned what had happened to them. I’m sure it happens a lot more than we know.’