MSP urged to resign over letters to pupils

A GOVERNMENT minister has called on Labour's Karen Whitefield to resign from Holyrood's education committee after accusing her of breaching data protection rules by writing to schoolchildren.

The MSP sent letters of congratulations to primary seven pupils due to start high school this month.

The letters were personally addressed to each child and handed out in school, according to North Lanarkshire Council, which is investigating the matter.

Ms Whitefield said that pupils' names were supplied by the schools and headteachers gave her permission to send the letters.

But housing minister Alex Neil criticised Ms Whitefield's actions as "totally reprehensible and irresponsible".

He said: "I am very concerned at the breach of the Data Protection Act by Karen Whitefield whereby she obtained the databases for every primary school child in her constituency from local headteachers."

He said that obtaining the information without the permission of the children's parents raises many questions.

Mr Neil demanded to know if any of the children were the subject of a Child Protection Order.

Ms Whitefield, who is currently on holiday in America, said in a statement: "The letters are intended as a gesture of congratulation.

"Over the years I have received nothing but positive feedback from parents, teachers and pupils. I have never received any complaints.

"The letters are sent to primary seven pupils throughout the constituency, with the express permission of their respective headteachers and according to lists supplied by the schools themselves."