Concerns about the ”politicisation” of Scotland’s top civil servant have been raised in the House of Lords.
Peers claimed Permanent Secretary Sir Peter Housden has abandoned impartiality to help advise the SNP in its campaign for Scottish independence.
The development came after the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour leaders in Scotland all made official complaints about the matter.
Labour’s Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a former MSP, insisted Sir Peter was ”advising the SNP government on the tactics and policy in relation to the break-up of the United Kingdom”.
He called for Sir Gus O’Donnell, the UK Cabinet Secretary, to insist Sir Peter only advised the Scottish Government on matters devolved to Holyrood.
The row was sparked after comments made by Sir Peter on an internal Scottish Government website were made public.
They revealed the mandarin had urged officials to ”embark on a journey of constitutional reform” starting with ”strengthening” the Scotland Bill, currently going through Westminster, that is set to devolve more powers to Edinburgh.
The remarks have further stoked fears among unionists that the civil service has been co-opted by First Minister Alex Salmond in the drive for Scottish independence.
Tory Lord Forsyth of Drumlean said: ”What on earth is this government doing in standing aside? Surely it is the absolute duty of the Cabinet Secretary to maintain the impartiality of the civil service which is a centrepiece of our constitution?”
Liberal Democrat Lord Stephens added: ”The core issue should not be about the independence of Scotland.
”It should be about the independence and neutrality and objectivity of our civil service and when that is struck at, as has clearly happened in this instance, that is very worrying not just for Scotland but for all parts of the United Kingdom.”
Labour’s Lord Sewel commented: ”Is it proper for the permanent secretary of the Scottish executive to make clear and in public his own personal views on a matter of controversial policy?”
For the government, Lord Wallace of Saltaire said Sir Gus would write a letter in response to the complaints raised by the three parties.
But crossbench peer Lord Butler of Brockwell said: ”Just as it is the duty of the rest of the civil service to support the policies of the administration they serve, so it is the duty of the civil service in Scotland to advise on the policies of the Scottish executive.”