The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Matheson to be grilled by MSPs on Gormley role
Convener Jenny Marra wants answers on allegations of interference
Labour is calling on Justice Secretary Michael Matheson to answer questions in Parliament over allegations he intervened in a decision on Scotland’s top police officer returning to work.
Jenny Marra, the Dundee-based Labour MSP, is to haul the minister before the committee she convenes on her return to Holyrood this week.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley has been on special leave since September as allegations of gross misconduct against him, which he denies, are investigated.
A letter from Mr Gormley’s lawyer claimed the decision by independent police overseeing body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to allow the chief constable to return to work was blocked following the “intervention of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice”.
Ms Marra, who is the convener of the public audit committee and is returning to parliament this week following maternity leave, said: “There are clear allegations that the Cabinet secretary has been involved and the allegations are that he has been involved inappropriately.
“Therefore, it will be our committee’s responsibility to make sure that he is scrutinised. So yes, I intend to call him as a witness to committee to explain what is going on.”
Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman, Daniel Johnson, said: “The public must be assured that the minister has not exceeded his authority, and that Scotland’s police force remains operationally independent of government.”
The call from Labour follows the police investigations and review commissioner Kate Frame, who is investigating the claims of misconduct against Mr Gormley, saying his return to active duty would not prejudice the ongoing investigation.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The position of the chief constable is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority Board who have kept it under review on a four-weekly basis while an investigation into complaints is conducted by the police investigations and review commissioner.
“As was made clear at last month’s Audit Committee, the Scottish Government sought assurances that decisions by the SPA were being made on a fullyinformed basis including seeking the views of key individuals and organisations, including the PIRC.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Justice took the lead role in engagement with the SPA as this issue falls within his portfolio responsibilities.”