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COP BOSSES CAN GO WHISTLE

Scots rank-and-file cops blast threats they’ll be FIRED unless they declare any contacts to journalists and politicians

Blasts come as Police Scotland’s top brass ordered the crackdown after whistleblowers within the ranks exposed a string of scandals

RANK-and-file cops have hit out amid threats they’ll be fired unless they declare any contacts to journalists and politicians.

Their blast came as Police Scotland’s top brass ordered the crackdown after whistleblowers within the ranks exposed a string of scandals.

 Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs says rules wouldn’t affect issues being raised through an internal scheme
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Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs says rules wouldn’t affect issues being raised through an internal schemeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Hardline new rules — branded “chilling” — demand PCs fill out a ‘report of notifiable association’ form to declare contacts that could threaten the force’s “information, assets and reputation”.

And in 19 pages of guidance notes, reporters and MSPs are listed alongside convicted criminals in being deemed risky individuals.

Scottish Police Federation chief Calum Steele, who represents front-line bobbies, claimed the curbs “would not be out of place in a banana republic”.

He insisted his members were not against the force having “adequate policies to protect itself and officers from potential risk”.

But Mr Steele added: “Any policy that equates contact with elec­ted parliamentarians and journalists to contact with criminals is deeply worrying. It risks being seen as attempt to silence dissent.”

And Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie, who has played a prominent role in exposing operational failings, urged SNP ministers to intervene and ensure bosses are not able to “silence” critics.

He said: “It was because of principled police officers and staff members that we got to the bottom of the deep-rooted flaws in Scotland’s police service. These people should be hailed not silenced.

 Willie Rennie urged SNP ministers to intervene
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Willie Rennie urged SNP ministers to interveneCredit: PA:Press Association

“The M9 crash, chaos in control rooms, the back-filling of civilian roles by officers, the near misses, armed police on routine duties — all these issues were exposed in part through the assistance of police staff and officers who cared about the future of the police service.

“A declaration of their media and political contacts is designed to snuff out such contacts rather than to aid transparency — it would have a chilling effect and would enable those in charge to escape the necessary scrutiny.

“The Justice Secretary and Scottish Police Authority should intervene to ensure the police hierarchy aren’t free to silence internal critics.” Since the formation of Police Scotland in 2013, whistleblowers and journalists have exposed a catalogue of major problems behind the scenes.

Crises included revelations of shambolic confusion in control hubs after the 2015 M9 tragedy, when Lamara Bell, 25, was left dying beside dead partner John Yuill, 28, after a 101 call was bungled.

But now cops who breach the new “standard operating procedure” and fail to declare their contacts, could face disciplinary action up to including sacking.

The force’s head of professional standards insisted the rules wouldn’t affect issues being raised through an internal scheme.

Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs added: “The guidance in standard operating procedures has undergone a human rights equality impact assessment. We also provide guidance in relation to whistleblowing that is designed to reassure and support employees who wish to provide information in relation to matters that concern them.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The guidance is an operational matter for police.

“It is right that public services recognise the importance of engaging with MSPs, journalists as well as other key stakeholders.

“We also believe it’s important staff are provided with a safe space to discuss concerns and promote an open and transparent reporting culture across all levels of the service.”

What the rules say

The following people are among those targeted by Report of Notifiable Assocation rules:

Person with criminal convictions and/or charged with a criminal offence

Member of the Media/Press and those working in active investigatory research, or information presentation fields of the Press

Members of any political party where the membership involves playing an active part in politics

chris.musson@the-sun.co.uk


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