Scotland’s education secretary is facing an official investigation into allegations that he intervened in school closures for political gain.
Michael Russell was reported to Holyrood’s standards watchdog as the controversy over a leaked email urging SNP councillors in Argyll and Bute to reverse a decision to close local schools continued.
Mr Russell represents the South of Scotland as an SNP MSP, but will stand as a candidate in Argyll and Bute in May.
The email from his parliament account to SNP councillor Donald Macdonald warned that supporting proposed school closures in the area would cause “severe problems which could be very destructive to our reputation and prospects.”
Under the parliamentary code of conduct, MSPs are not allowed to use parliamentary resources to campaign on constituency issues in regions they do not represent.
Former Westminster candidate David Graham, who unsuccessfully contested the Argyll and Bute seat for Labour last year, reported Mr Russell to the Scottish Parliament standards commissioner on Wednesday.
“He has involved himself in a constituency issue outwith his region,” wrote Mr Graham in a letter to the commissioner.
“As he is the MSP for the South of Scotland, and Argyll and Bute is in a different region, he should not have done so.”
He added, “I draw your attention to the code of conduct for MSPs an MSP must not deal with a matter relating to a constituency case or constituency issue outwith his or her constituency or region unless by prior agreement.”
But an SNP spokesman said Mr Russell was “entirely happy” for the matter to be considered by the commissioner.
He said, “Mr Russell simply replied to an email.”‘Solid support’The spokesman also pointed out that on Wednesday Argyll and Bute Council withdrew the plans to close 25 schools.
It was decided to suspend the consultation process on the closures and look again at the plans at a special council meeting.
The spokesman said, “The real issue is that the Argyll and Bute administration had to withdraw their flawed plans to close 25 local primary schools, at the special meeting demanded by the SNP, which is excellent news for pupils and parents.
“Labour are making themselves look totally ridiculous by giving every impression of supporting school closures in Argyll and Bute, along with the Lib Dems.”
He added, “Labour’s complaint is also a climbdown by accepting that this issue has nothing whatever to do with Mr Russell’s ministerial role.
“Mike Russell has the solid support of local people unlike Labour, the Lib Dems and Tories.”
However, a Labour spokesman demanded Mr Russell publish all correspondence he has had on the issue, adding, “Frankly, he is in a very difficult position and will have a lot of explaining to do when parliament returns next week.”
Meanwhile, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MSPs have also increased the pressure on Mr Russell.
Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith said, “The SNP have tried to play this down, but that is insulting to voters.
“Mike Russell should have known better than to get involved in any capacity and unless he puts all his cards on the table, then people will wonder what the SNP has to hide.”
Liberal Democrat election director George Lyon also accused Mr Russell of “meddling” in Argyll and Bute in an attempt to boost the SNP’s profile before the election.