SNP MP warns that Russia could target Indyref2

Speaking to The Herald, the SNP’s defence spokesman, Stewart McDonald MP, warned that a hostile state such as Russia could target any upcoming referendum on Scottish independence.

McDonald, who sits on the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, wants to re-engineer Scottish and British national security strategy to counter any such disinformation campaigns. He implores the SNP to take the issue seriously. 

Quoting a recent opinion poll that indicates around 40% of Scots have concerns about elections being free and fair, McDonald states: “What an amazing opportunity if you’re Russia – or just anyone who wants to cause as much havoc as possible – to sow disinformation”.

According to McDonald, during the 2014 referendum, there were attempts “to sow doubt about the result post-the-vote … immediately as votes were still being counted”.

“It’s entirely reasonable to assume any future referendum will be a target” McDonald states. He adds, referring to the SNP, “we’ve a real duty to be upfront about that”.