The Scotsman

Blackford accuses Johnson’s team of ‘political smear’ in holiday row

● Claim MP revealed Prime Minister’s location led to threats on social media

- By RICHARD WHEELER newsdeskts@scotsman.com

Boris John son’ s office has been accused of smearing SNP Westminste­r leader Ian Blackford and putting his family’s safety at risk.

The row centre son the Prime Minister’s summer holiday, which had to be cut short after pictures of the cottage he was staying in – situated in Mr Blackford’s Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituen­cy – were published.

Mr Blackford condemned the “violation” of Mr Johnson’s privacy but added a “senior Conservati­ve source in Downing Street” was rep or ted to have said the “finger of blame for all this getting out is being pointed at the SNP, particular­ly Ian Blackford who is local”.

Raising a point of order in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Black ford said: “This allegation and briefing was entirely and deliberate­ly false, it was a targeted political smear from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The photograph­er who provided the material for the original Daily Mail front page later confirmed that I was not the source in revealing the Prime Minister’s location – a location, I might add, I was not even aware of.

“However, by this point the damage was done. This matter has not only been the worst kind of political sm ear, the false allegation ha s equally resulted in security implicatio­ns for myself and my family given its serious and personal nature .”

Mr Blackford said threats against him were made on social media, adding: “It’s a very serious situation when the apparatus of UK government can be deployed in this way, manufactur­ing false briefings in order to attack an opposition politician.”

Mr Johnson, his fiancee Carrie Symonds and their baby son Wilfred–along with dog Dilyn – were staying in a remote house on the northwest coast.

Pictures published in the Daily Mail showed a canvas bell tent erected near the cottage, which was said to boast “spectacula­r views” towards the islands of Raasay, Rona and Skye.

Mr Johnson said he had a “wonderful” staycation in Mr Black ford’ s constituen­cy, adding to the SN PMP: “I’ m very happy to accept the assurances that he gives.

“However, I just draw his attention ... to a tweet by a chap called Torcuil Crichton on August 17 saying :‘ Ferocious midge count in Wester Ross tonight, I hear. Must be bad if you’re fair-skinned and camping’ to which an account, which purports to be[ Mr Blackford] but I’m sure it isn’t because of what he’s just said, says: ‘I wonder if an education at Et on stands you in good stead for these blighters’.

“Anyway, I’m happy to accept his assurances and protestati­ons and I think we should leave it at that.”

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed concerns about the security implicatio­ns for both Mr Johnson and Mr Blackford, adding: “Let’s be very, very careful and let’s learn from this.”

 ??  ?? 0 Boris Johnson heads for the Commons to face Prime Minister’s Questions – and claims from SNP Westminste­r leader Ian Blackford of a political smear by the No.10 team
0 Boris Johnson heads for the Commons to face Prime Minister’s Questions – and claims from SNP Westminste­r leader Ian Blackford of a political smear by the No.10 team

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