SCOTTISH LABOUR has accused Scotland’s government of creating a “culture of secrecy and cover-up,” including delaying responses to freedom of information (FOI) requests beyond statutory limits.

Labour says that the SNP has created “a secret Scotland” and pledged to end it by strengthening the Freedom of Information Act and extending it to all bodies that provide services to the public.

It said that one in seven information requests received no response within the 20-day statutory deadline and one response took more than 38 weeks.

Labour MSP Katy Clark intends to introduce a Private Members’ Bill to strengthen Scotland’s FOI laws. 

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that the launch of a new policy paper by the party today would increase transparency in government.

“The people of Scotland deserve a Scottish Parliament that is open and transparent for all,” he said.

“However, when you have a government which actively seeks to avoid scrutiny and backbenchers who suspend their responsibilities in the name of party interest, then the system needs to be reformed.

“Committees have been ignored, processes run roughshod over and the responsibility to be truly accountable to both Parliament, the press and the public has been ignored by SNP ministers.

“All the while a spectre of sleaze has cast its shadow over Scottish politics.

“We can’t allow a culture of cover-up to weaken the faith of the people of Scotland in their parliament.

“This much-needed reform of freedom of information law is only the start of the fightback.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland already has the most open and far-reaching FOI legislation in the UK. In addition to responding to over 4000 requests in the last year the Scottish Government proactively publishes  all responses, going beyond what is legally required of us, and in addition we regularly publish a huge volume of information across all areas of policy and government activity.

“All public bodies are already covered by Freedom of Information law and we are currently considering the extension of FOISA to additional organisations providing public services. Furthermore, we have plans already in place to consult later this year to gather views on how access to information rights can be further protected and strengthened in Scotland.”