All ministerial meetings ‘must be on record’

CAMPAIGNERS are demanding that a formal record be kept of all Scottish Government meetings.

The Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland is urging that agendas, notes and minutes of all talks involving ministers or civil servants are logged.

The body’s Get It Minuted drive comes after Justice Secretary Michael Matheson was accused of having ‘something to hide’ when no minutes were taken of a meeting with the Scottish Police Authority about whether or not Chief Constable Phil Gormley should return to work.

Dave Watson, head of policy and public affairs at trade union Unison Scotland, said: ‘Transparency is essential for the human right to access information.’

Lib Dem education spokesman Tavish Scott said: ‘There can be only one reason ministers do not keep a formal record of a meeting. They have something to hide.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Officials are not required to provide minutes of all ministerial or official meetings.

‘Minutes are only produced where the meeting is formal or where actions are expected to be generated.’