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Hi ,
Hidden power and influence has been the theme of Who Runs Scotland this week.
Did you know that some public bodies can use obscure powers to investigate the public, including seizing evidence, raiding buildings and spying on Scots?
And did you know that Scotland's PR firms are stuffed full of influential figures from media and politics?
Were you aware that Scotland's powerful fish farming lobbied ministers to make sure their salmon was on plates at fancy government receptions?
If you didn't know, then hopefully the series has been useful for you so far. |
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All our stories for Who Runs Scotland are absolutely FREE to read, thanks to the support of our members and those who funded our crowdfunding campaign.
But you can help us do more! For just £5 per month, you can become a member of The Ferret. This means you get to help shape our future investigations, get discounts on merchandise and free entry to many of our events. And you'll be ensuring we can carry on exposing the powerful in Scotland and beyond. |
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Yours,
Ali |
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Story of the week |
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An in-depth look at a Ferret investigation |
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Scotland’s most influential public relations companies are staffed by former politicians, government ministers, spin doctors and newspaper editors, The Ferret has found, exposing the “revolving door” between politics, the media and lobbying.
These well-connected figures are now being paid to represent the interests of the UK’s largest businesses including fossil fuel and energy multinationals, big finance, and arms firms.
Lobbying is a normal part of the democratic process, allowing businesses and civil society alike to raise issues with elected representatives. A move to public relations consultancy from journalism or politics is considered standard by many in the industry.
Parliamentary rules aim to prevent former ministers and senior civil servants from lobbying for two years after leaving these roles. But they are free to work as corporate lobbyists thereafter. The Ferret has not found any examples of any Scottish firm breaking these rules. |
| Read the full story |
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What did we dig up this week? |
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A round up of our investigations in the last seven days |
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Revealed: The organisations with powers to seize evidence, search premises, and spy on Scots |
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Organisations in Scotland using obscure powers to investigate the general public reported nearly 40,000 alleged crimes to prosecutors in the last four years. |
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Catch of the day: industry pressures government to serve farmed salmon
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Industry leaders lobbied Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill at a meeting in September 2024 for “greater supply of Scottish salmon” at government events. |
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Question of the week |
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Reader poll: Should former politicians be able to become lobbyists?
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| Yes |
| No |
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We now have a platform exclusive for Ferret Underground subscribers where you can share ideas about future investigations, answer polls and more!
Create an account here to get access.
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Best of the rest |
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Investigations we've enjoyed from around the world |
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Tory peer helped secure meeting with minister for Canadian firm he advises
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Ian Duncan ‘facilitated an introduction’ for Terrestrial Energy, which was seeking government funding. (Guardian) |
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Ten Britons accused of committing war crimes in Gaza while serving in the IDF
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A war crimes complaint against ten Britons who served with the IDF in Gaza has been submitted to the Metropolitan Police. (Byline Times) |
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India’s drugs industry: how one country took over the global medicine market |
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It’s a huge exporter of generic drugs – but are are they safe? And what could Trump’s tariffs mean for the ‘pharmacy of the world’? (The Bureau) |
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