MSP urges release of devolution files

The SNP member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth accused unionists of failing to "play fair" in the run-up to next year's independence referendum.

Most archived files dating from Scotland's original devolution referendum in 1997 have been released by National Records of Scotland.

But it is understood the Scotland Office, led by Lib Dem Michael Moore, asked to hold back several files which are now awaiting inspection by other government officials.

It is unknown precisely what the files contain, but Mr Hepburn said the coalition would be "cheating Scotland of its history" if it did not release the files.

The material could well be relevant to the current independence debate, he claimed.

Mr Hepburn said: "We know Labour ministers including Blair and Brown were at odds over devolution, but that is no reason to hold that information back.

"It is vital that that in 2013 the year before Scotland's referendum on independence that the UK government acts honestly and openly with the people of Scotland.

"How are people supposed to believe the UK government over Scotland's future when it is too busy hiding Scotland's political past."

The eyes-only files could well feature top-level military personnel, with the future of Britain's only nuclear weapons arsenal at Faslane hanging in the balance.

The anti-nuclear SNP has pledged to remove all nuclear weapons from Scotland's borders should it gain independence.

However it voted in October to scap its official policy against membership of the nuclear-armed Nato alliance.