Police in 'blackmail' inquiry as cybernat smear scandal deepens

THE strange case of the Scottish Government minister and his blogging aide took a new twist yesterday when it emerged that the police have launched an investigation into alleged "extortion".

Detectives are trying to establish whether e-mails sent to Michael Russell by the blogger Mark MacLachlan could be interpreted as blackmail.

Yesterday, Labour called for all correspondence between the two men to be published following the publication of an e-mail from Mr MacLachlan to the education secretary, which appeared to contain a veiled threat.

Mr MacLachlan, who was sacked as Mr Russell's assistant for writing a poisonous blog that defamed political opponents, sent his former boss a message saying he wanted help in finding a job.

Mr Russell has denied that he knew of Mr MacLachlan's blog, entitled Universality of Cheese. Mr MacLachlan has suggested, however, that Mr Russell was aware of its existence. One of his e-mails appeared to threaten to go to the press to make damaging claims about Mr Russell.

The e-mail said: "I am looking to you as my employer to assist me in finding an alternative job, rather than let all of this sorry mess make its way into the public domain.

"I'm merely looking for some help from a friend in a powerful position who has not been truthful to the world about his knowledge of what I was doing."

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that a complaint had been made, which they were investigating.

The Labour MP for Dumfries, Russell Brown, said: "This latest twist only goes to highlight how persistent this scandal is. It isn't going away because we haven't got to the bottom of it.

"Mr Russell should publish all the correspondence he has had with Mr MacLachlan if he wants to start clearing the air – and then apologise to those people whose personal lives were cruelly defamed. Until then, suspicion remains that the SNP are just not dealing with this scandal and have something to hide."

At the end of last year, Mr MacLachlan was unmasked as the author of the Universality of Cheese blog.

He used his website to make unfounded claims about the sex life of a married Labour MP and described a QC as the "biggest liar" in the Scottish legal system. The fact Mr MacLachlan was working for Mr Russell at the time was deeply embarrassing for the SNP.

Mr MacLachlan has acknowledged the police's involvement by posting a fresh entry on his website. It read: "I understand that when police are asked to investigate such accusations, particularly from such a high-powered 'victim' they are duty-bound to look into allegations.

"I have had no contact with Lothian and Borders Police who, if they can get up the lane through the snowdrifts to the house, are welcome to come in for a coffee and a chat about these 'allegations'. We've got shortbread, bring your own sugar."

A spokesman for Mr Russell said: "It would be inappropriate to comment".