Ruth Davidson electoral law probe finds no criminality

Ruth Davidson

No criminality has been uncovered in the police probe into claims that Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson broke electoral secrecy laws last year.

Police Scotland was instructed by the Crown Office to launch an inquiry last October, after concerns were raised about Ms Davidson’s reference to postal vote tallies during an earlier TV interview which was broadcast live.

Around 45 minutes after polls closed in the Scottish independence referendum, Ms Davidson said she had been “incredibly encouraged” by the results of an earlier “sample opening” of postal ballots.

Labour staffer John McTernan had, four days earlier, also spoken publicly about “postal votes … running very strongly towards No”.

It was suggested the remarks could represent a breach of the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013, which bans the communication of “any information obtained at the counting of the votes as to the outcome for which any vote is given on any particular ballot paper”.

However, a spokesperson for the Crown Office told The Herald that the matter is “now closed” as “no criminality has been uncovered”.

Detective Inspector Glyn Roberts added: “After an assessment, no evidence of criminality has been uncovered and we do not intend to report anyone in relation to offences under the act.”