The Scottish Conservatives have struck out at Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing, who they say violated purdah by announcing a spending commitment to Scottish Crofters before local elections last month.

On 25th April, the Rural Affairs Secretary announced that the SNP government had set aside £948,000 to help crofters in Scotland’s most rural and remote communities build new homes, or make improvements to existing buildings. The funds, earmarked for 29 crofters as part of a bid to retain and attract people to rural communities in Scotland, represent an increase in available payments under the Croft House Grant Scheme, which has run since 2007.

However, on Monday Scottish Conservatives claimed the SNP Minister overruled civil servants who didn’t want to make a press statement on spending for crofters because it breached purdah rules ahead of local government elections. The Conservatives claim to have seen emails advising Ewing against making the announcement in the period before the elections.

Mr Ewing said at the time that the spending announcement was legitimate because it did not involve councils. However, the Conservatives said the announcement goes against guidance which states that Ministers should avoid any spending announcements that could influence voters.

Conservative MSP Ross Thomson said, “The evidence is in. It is now clear that Nicola Sturgeon’s government indulged in a systematic breaking of the rules prior to last months’ local government elections. This is a growing scandal that requires an urgent investigation. Mr Ewing was told by civil servants not to make this announcement but ignored them in an attempt to win a few headlines ahead of the local elections.

“Nicola Sturgeon must end her silence over this affair. After ten years in power, her government is now mired in sleaze.”

At the time, Fergus Ewing said, “Attracting people, particularly young families, to our most remote and rural communities is essential for their long-term sustainability. I am determined to help people live in crofting areas, where there are often few opportunities and the Croft House Grant has proved successful in doing just that.

“I have already increased the funding available through the grant scheme by £600,000. These grants enable more crofters to upgrade or build new properties helping them to fulfil their duty to live on or close to their croft. And they also help to boost the wider local economy, creating opportunities for local construction and trade businesses.”

Resending to the Scottish Conservatives’ claims on Tuesday, a Scottish Government spokesman said, “During the local government election period, Scottish Ministers continued to be responsible for delivering the routine, devolved business of the Scottish Government. Announcing offers of grants to crofters is an example of routine business falling within Scottish Ministers’ devolved responsibilities.
 
“As the Permanent Secretary has already made clear to Mr Thomson in her letter of June 1, after careful consideration officials concluded that the announcement could proceed on the grounds that the overall funding package had already been announced in March, the grants were being given to individual crofters, and there was no local government involvement in the funding.”