SNP's Ian Blackford accuses Prime Minister’s team of ‘targeted political smear’ over holiday row

April Roach @aprilroach282 September 2020

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has accused Boris Johnson's office of a "targeted political smear" that he said put his family at risk.

The Prime Minister's holiday was cut short after pictures of the Scottish Highlands cottage he was staying in were published.

Mr Johnson, his fiance Carrie Symonds and their baby son Wilfred – along with dog Dilyn – were reported to be staying in a remote three-bedroom house in Mr Blackford's Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency.

Mr Blackford condemned the "violation" of Mr Johnson's privacy and condemned reports that he was the source of the leak revealing the Prime Minister's holiday location.

The SNP leader read out quotes from the Sun which read, “a senior Conservative source in Downing Street” was reported to have said the “finger of blame for all this getting out is being pointed at the SNP, particularly Ian Blackford who is local”.

Boris Johnson with his partner Carrie Symonds
AFP via Getty Images

Raising a point of order in the Commons, Mr Blackford said: “This allegation and briefing was entirely and deliberately false, it was a targeted political smear from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The photographer who provided the material for the original Daily Mail front page later confirmed that I was not the source in revealing the Prime Minister’s location – a location, I might add, I was not even aware of.

“However, by this point the damage was done. This matter has not only been the worst kind of political smear, the false allegation has equally resulted in security implications for myself and my family given its serious and personal nature.”

Mr Blackford said threats against him were made on social media, adding: “It’s a very serious situation when the apparatus of UK Government can be deployed in this way, manufacturing false briefings in order to attack an opposition politician.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford
PA

Pictures published in the Daily Mail showed a canvas bell tent erected near the cottage, which was said to boast “spectacular views” towards the islands of Raasay, Rona and Skye.

Mr Johnson said he had a “wonderful” staycation in Mr Blackford’s constituency, adding to the SNP MP: “I’m very happy to accept the assurances that he gives.

“However, I just draw his attention… to a tweet by a chap called Torcuil Crichton on August 17 saying: ‘Ferocious midge count in Wester Ross tonight, I hear. Must be bad if you’re fair-skinned and camping’ to which an account, which purports to be (Mr Blackford) but I’m sure it isn’t because of what he’s just said, says: ‘I wonder if an education at Eton stands you in good stead for these blighters’.

“Anyway, I’m happy to accept his assurances and protestations and I think we should leave it at that.”

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed concerns about the security implications for both Mr Johnson and Mr Blackford, adding to MPs: “Let’s be very, very careful and let’s learn from this.”

Additional reporting by PA Media.