One of Alex Salmond’s top advisers has been forced to apologise to a mother-of-two who was subjected to online abuse after speaking at a Better Together event.
However, Campbell Gunn, a senior special adviser and political spokesman for the Scottish Government, did not acknowledge calls for him to be sacked and the First Minister has also refused to be drawn on the possibility.
Claire Lally told a rally on Monday that she was campaigning to save the UK for the sake of her twin daughters, one of whom has cerebral palsy, and the NHS.
Mr Gunn emailed the Telegraph claiming she was a member of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet and the daughter-in-law of Pat Lally, a former Labour Lord Provost of Glasgow.
She says she is no relation to Mr Lally but sits on Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet as a “carers’ champion”. Ms Lally said the First Minister has visited her home to discover more about her work looking after her seven-year-old daughter, Katie, who requires 24-hour care.
In a statement, Mr Gunn said: “Nothing in the email I sent was intended in any way to be a personal slight on Ms Lally or question her absolute right to express her views, and I apologise unreservedly for the upset and offence that has been caused to her and her family.
“I deplore online abuse directed against Ms Lally or anyone else – from whichever side in the referendum debate – and the assertion by the No campaign that I had any involvement in the coordination of such activity is completely untrue.
“I sent one email to one journalist which in no way was intended to form the basis of a story. I am genuinely sorry I did so, and the First Minister had no knowledge of it. The First Minister has previously met Ms Lally, as is also reported today, and holds her in the highest possible regard.”
The special advisers’ code of conduct specifically prohibits “the preparation or dissemination of inappropriate material (and) personal attacks”.
It adds: “Any special adviser ever found to be disseminating inappropriate material will automatically be dismissed by their appointing Minister.”
According to the BBC, Mr Salmond told Mr Gunn, former political editor of the Sunday Post, to say sorry and condemned those who Ms Lally said launched a “disgusting” attack on her through social media websites.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, and Scottish Conservative leade, Ruth Davidson both called for Mr Gunn to be fired for the “disgusting personal attack on a mother who cares for her disabled child”.
Ms Lamont said: “Clare Lally is an inspiration to all who know her. She is a loving, caring mother who doesn’t just care for her daughters, she champions all carers everywhere. For goodness sake, Alex Salmond must surely know that as he has been in her house.
“Apologies are not enough. Alex Salmond must sack his senior adviser, Campbell Gunn. Campbell Gunn’s attack on Clare Lally unleashed a tidal wave of vile abuse aimed squarely at her on the internet which caused Clare and her family immense distress.”
She added: “The regulations are quite clear. Special advisers cannot indulge in vile, personal attacks like this. By asking Campbell Gunn to apologise, Alex Salmond has admitted that this vile, personal attack took place.”
Ms Davidson added: “This cowardly attack on someone’s character cannot simply be brushed aside by a forced apology.The Scottish Government code of conduct is clear that special advisers are expected to abide by the highest standards of conduct and should not be involved in spreading inappropriate material or making personal attacks.
“Across the UK, there have been numerous examples of special advisers losing their jobs when the code of conduct governing their behaviour has been breached.If this key aide is honest with himself, he will know he can no longer carry on working for the First Minister.
“In failing to dismiss his adviser in this case, Alex Salmond is once again showing weakness and sending out the message to his supporters that it’s open season on anyone who disagrees with the SNP’s point of view.”