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Honours probe MP 'spying target' Police probed MP spy allegations
(about 4 hours later)
Three police forces have been involved in probing alleged attempts to spy on SNP MP Angus MacNeil, according to party leader Alex Salmond. Two police forces investigated allegations that SNP MP Angus MacNeil was spied on, it has been confirmed.
The MP who sparked the cash-for-honours inquiry has apologised for a lapse of judgement after a newspaper said he had a "drunken romp" with two teenagers. Nationalist leader Alex Salmond said the Western Isles MP who sparked the cash-for-honours inquiry had been subject to "intense intrusion"
The girls' families have claimed the story was exaggerated and inaccurate. Strathclyde and the Metropolitan Police said they had carried out probes but no crimes were detected.
Mr Salmond said Mr MacNeil had made the "most extraordinary powerful enemies" as a result of the honours inquiry. The allegations of spying followed revelations that Mr MacNeil had a "drunken romp" with two teenage girls.
A spokesman for the SNP said the forces involved were Strathclyde, Northern Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police. A spokesman for the SNP said Strathclyde Police was alerted to allegations Mr MacNeil was subject to a "suspicious following operation" during the weekend of an SNP conference in Glasgow.
He said the Strathclyde force had been investigating a "suspicious following operation" during the weekend of an SNP conference in Glasgow. Strathclyde said an investigation took place but no crime was established and its inquiries were complete.
I think people around Scotland will be saying after all this investigation was that all they could dig up about him? Alex SalmondSNP leaderI think people around Scotland will be saying after all this investigation was that all they could dig up about him? Alex SalmondSNP leader
The spokesman said Northern had been made aware of suspicious phone calls to Mr MacNeil's home on Barra on the Western Isles and the Metropolitan Police had checked the MP's office in the House of Commons. The Metropolitan Police also confirmed it had investigated an allegation of a break-in to Mr MacNeil's office in Westminster. A spokeswoman said that officers found no sign of an offence.
Mr Salmond told a public meeting in Stornoway on Monday night that the Western Isles MP had been subjected to "intense intrusion". A SNP spokesman said Northern had been made aware of suspicious phone calls to Mr MacNeil's home on Barra on the Western Isles and the Metropolitan Police had checked the MP's office in the House of Commons.
He said police had investigated allegations of Mr MacNeil being followed and incidents concerning his home on the islands. However, a spokesman for Northern said it had not received a complaint regarding any allegations.
During a visit to Stornoway on Monday night, Mr Salmond said the Western Isles MP had made the "most extraordinary powerful enemies" as a result of the honours inquiry.
He said police had investigated allegations that Mr MacNeil was being followed and incidents concerning his home on the islands.
The SNP leader also said there had been a "question of sweeping" Mr MacNeil's office in the House of Commons.The SNP leader also said there had been a "question of sweeping" Mr MacNeil's office in the House of Commons.
Mr Salmond said: "Angus MacNeil is somebody, because of leading the cash-for-honours inquiry, who has made the most extraordinary powerful enemies and I have never seen a member of parliament subjected to this sort of intense intrusion.Mr Salmond said: "Angus MacNeil is somebody, because of leading the cash-for-honours inquiry, who has made the most extraordinary powerful enemies and I have never seen a member of parliament subjected to this sort of intense intrusion.
Bitterly regrettedBitterly regretted
"I have to say, given what's been said by the families about the inaccuracies and exaggerations in the story that was printed, I think people around Scotland will be saying after all this investigation was that all they could dig up about him?""I have to say, given what's been said by the families about the inaccuracies and exaggerations in the story that was printed, I think people around Scotland will be saying after all this investigation was that all they could dig up about him?"
The Sunday Mail newspaper reported that the married MP "kissed and fondled" the girls in a hotel room in July 2005.The Sunday Mail newspaper reported that the married MP "kissed and fondled" the girls in a hotel room in July 2005.
Mr MacNeil said he bitterly regretted the incident and said he was angry it had diverted attention from the "substantial political issues" he had been pursuing.Mr MacNeil said he bitterly regretted the incident and said he was angry it had diverted attention from the "substantial political issues" he had been pursuing.
In a statement, Mr MacNeil, 36, apologised for the "embarrassment and hurt" caused to his family by his actions.In a statement, Mr MacNeil, 36, apologised for the "embarrassment and hurt" caused to his family by his actions.
The girls' families have claimed the story was exaggerated and inaccurate.