Anger as 'neutral' mandarin fawns over Sturgeon ahead of £300,000 memoirs
Scotland's top civil servant has been accused of 'fawning over' Nicola Sturgeon after wishing her success with her £300,000 memoirs.
Permanent Secretary Joe Griffin cheered on the former First Minister after clearing the 464-page book, titled 'Frankly', for publication.
In a letter telling her no changes were required for national security reasons, he gushed: 'I wish you well with publication of the memoirs'.
The Scottish Conservatives criticised the remark given Ms Sturgeon's controversies in office and civil service neutrality.
Deputy party leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'Scots will wonder why someone duty bound to be neutral was fawning over Nicola Sturgeon in this way.
'There have been repeated concerns that permanent secretaries have ended up being close to their SNP bosses.
'Joe Griffin should have thought twice about using this sort of language especially when the former First Minister's divisive legacy is still being keenly felt.'
Other material released by the SNP Government yesterday shows Ms Sturgeon demanded tight security to ensure there were no leaks from her book, for which she is receiving a reported advance of £300,000.
The memoirs of former ministers are governed by the 50-year-old Radcliffe Rules.
Politicians are free to write about their own work but must not reveal anything which could breach national security, harm the UK's international relations, or damage 'the confidential relationships between ministers or of ministers with their officials'.
Ms Sturgeon, who left Bute House in March 2023 after more than eight years as First Minister, announced she was writing her memoirs in August the same year.
In December 2024, the Scottish Government's most senior official wrote to her about vetting the contents.
Then permanent secretary John-Paul Marks asked the Glasgow MSP to 'share the draft manuscript with my office, if possible three months ahead of publication'.
In February, Ms Sturgeon told the Government she expected an 'advanced draft' in late March and demanded to know how officials would guard the contents.
'I'd be grateful for an indication of what the circulation will be with SG [Scottish Government] - I assume very limited - and what steps will be taken to ensure confidentiality,' she wrote.
Mr Marks told her 'a small senior group' including the Director of Propriety and Ethics would undertake the review and provide advice.
He said: 'In terms of ensuring the manuscript is held and reviewed in a secure manner, we would request that you provide my office with four hard copies.
'These will be securely held and reviewed by a named list of senior officials only. We will not hold the document in electronic format.'
Publishers Pan MacMillan sent the four copies to Mr Marks by secure delivery on March 26.
Two weeks later, Mr Griffin took over as Permanent Secretary and on April 24, told Ms Sturgeon, based on the advice from the review group, no changes were required.
He added: 'At all times strong security arrangements have been observed with only a small number of designated senior officials having recorded access.'
He concluded: 'Thank you for engaging with the process proactively, and I wish you well with publications of the memoirs. Best Wishes, Joe Griffin.'
A Government spokesman said: 'The Permanent Secretary signed off his letter in a manner that was polite and appropriate.'
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