FORMER diplomat Craig Murray has claimed to have been visited by police after saying he will publish SNP MP Stewart McDonald’s emails.
Murray, the former British ambassador to Uzbekistan who was jailed for contempt of court in 2021, claimed on Friday to have gained access to the MP’s communications and would be releasing them after McDonald was the victim of a phishing scam.
Murray says he was not involved in initially gaining access to the MP’s messages, but received them after speaking to people to find out “who might have them”.
“I just had a late evening visit from two very pleasant plain clothes policemen, sent to warn me of potential offence under the data protection act from publication,” Murray tweeted on Friday night.
“I assured them that everything is being legalled and nothing is imminent on my side.”
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
McDonald, the MP for Glasgow South, warned earlier this week that he had been the victim of a phishing scam and feared he’d been hacked by a Russian spy service. He feared his emails would be made public.
Murray alleges the emails contain direct messages between McDonald and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and detail “toxic relationships” between MPs at Westminster.
However, Murray says he will not publish anything relating to McDonald’s personal life – only things which are in the public interest.
Murray faced criticism as he confirmed plans to publish the messages, with senior MP Pete Wishart saying it was “hard to think of anything more contemptible”.
