Double standards

It is interesting to read of one Scottish Government office involving special advisers to hold back Freedom of Information (FOI) requests (Education), while another office (Brexit) openly says it will make public sensitive information that could damage the UK Government’s negotiations with the EU. Of course, the former could embarrass the SNP (which is obviously not to be allowed at any cost), while the latter could not only embarrass the UK Government, but harm the country.

Just as independence transcends everything (education, economy, health etc), any chance to damage the Tories transcends good government.

Scotland is not being governed – it is just a plaything for those currently in power.

KEN CURRIE

Liberton Drive, Edinburgh

The charge against education secretary John Swinney has to be seen against the Scottish National Party’s previous behaviour. (“Swinney accused of holding back release of FOI material”, 9 February.)

The Justice secretary, Michael Matheson, has just emerged from a deeply damaging behind-the-scenes intervention in Police Scotland, apparently without censure. The SNP also tried to keep dark the £10 billion Chinese deal in 2016, as well as the repairs to the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing. They are always very selective in the figures they quote to enhance any argument their way.

Power is held by very few

people in the party and the MPS and MSPS are somehow always unanimous about every decision the party makes. These troubling revelations do not suggest the open and listening government they always claim to be.

(DR) GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow