The UK Government has come under renewed pressure from the SNP to disclose who the “Frenchgate memo” was written for and sent to.
Former Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael has admitted agreeing to the leak of the document to the press, which incorrectly suggested Nicola Sturgeon wanted David Cameron to remain in Downing Street after the general election.
The SNP has been calling on the northern isles MP to resign ever since and a legal challenge to his election will be heard in September after a petition was lodged by four of his constituents.
Yesterday, Glenrothes MP Peter Grant raised the issue with Commons leader Chris Grayling during the weekly business statement in the chamber.
He said the UK Government had failed to disclose through answers to written parliamentary questions who drafted and received the memo.
He added: “I can’t even get him (Scottish secretary David Mundell) to admit whether he’s ever seen a copy of it, to admit whether he saw a copy of it before it was leaked.
“I’ve no doubt the Leader of the House would agree it would be enormously embarrassing for this place if I as an MP was forced to raise this matter under freedom of information.
“Will you agree that a government that has nothing to hide should stop hiding?”
Mr Grayling replied: “One of the benefits of the way this House works is that members have a number of ways in which they can bring ministers before the House to ask questions.”
A paper outlining Mr Carmichael’s response to the petition states he “has not committed any illegal practice” under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
It also makes clear Mr Carmichael accepts he misstated his awareness of the leaked memo, but describes this an “an error of judgment on a political matter” which did not amount to a false statement on the personal character or conduct of any candidate.