Police tried to identify journalists’ sources on at least12 occasions

● Shock revelation after request under freedom of information laws

Police in Scotland tried to track down journalists’ sources on at least 12 occasions.

Seven applications to acquire communications data relating to journalistic sources were made between 2011-2014, according to details released to the Scottish Newspaper Society through freedom of information laws.

This is in addition to five applications for data linked to one investigation earlier this year, which the Interception Of Communications Commissioner’s Office (IOCCO) recently ruled had breached guidelines on accessing information without having received proper consent.

The IOCCO review was carried out after fears were raised that officers had been ‘’illegally spying on journalists’’.

Tomorrow, the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is to take evidence from Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson on the interception of communications by Police Scotland.

Labour’s justice spokesman, Graeme Pearson MSP, said: “Policing in Scotland once had a world-class reputation, but it has been dragged through the mud by a series of scandals this year, and the spying row asks serious questions about transparency and decision making at the top – be it senior management in Police Scotland or SNP Government ministers.

“On Tuesday, Neil Richardson needs to set out what he knew, when he knew and what he did about it.”

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson told The Scotsman: “In October 2014, Police Scotland responded to a request from the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office in respect of identifying the number of investigations where the acquisition of communications data related to journalistic sources.

“Of the seven identified investigations, four predate the formation of Police Scotland on 1 April 2013. Six of these applications were authorised and one refused.

“None of these seven applications concerned a journalist, and the six applications were legally and appropriately authorised under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000’ and were later the subject of IOCCO inspection in the usual way.”

“Communications data is an important investigative tool.

“As the public would expect, Police Scotland investigates all allegations of information breaches.”