UK withholds information on Israeli firm accused of targeting Scottish first minister in elections

The British government has denied a request for transparency over an Israeli cybersecurity firm linked to alleged interference in Scottish parliamentary elections, citing concerns over diplomatic relations and national security. In late July 2026, the UK Cabinet Office rejected a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from The National newspaper, which sought access to internal communications involving the French government agency Viginum and its findings on the Israeli firm BlackCore. The refusal followed claims that BlackCore had used fake social media accounts to target Scottish politicians, including First Minister John Swinney, during the 2026 elections. The government stated that releasing the requested documents could prejudice relationships with other states and compromise national security. The controversy began in June 2026 when Viginum, a French authority dedicated to combating foreign digital interference, accused BlackCore of orchestrating campaigns aimed at influencing elections in multiple locations. These included the 2025 municipal elections in New York City, the 2025 local elections in France, and the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections. According to Viginum, BlackCore operated hundreds of fake accounts to spread negative commentary about political figures, particularly focusing on John Swinney, who ran for re-election as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). While the firm’s activities were identified, the identity of its client remained unclear. Viginum’s director, Marc-Antoine Brillant, noted that the firm appeared to be acting on behalf of unknown entities seeking to undermine democratic processes abroad. In response to the allegations, The National submitted two FOI requests to both the UK and Scottish governments, asking for any records related to Viginum’s findings and discussions about BlackCore’s involvement in Scotland. The UK Cabinet Office declined the request, stating that the information was classified due to its potential impact on international relations and national security. The official statement emphasized that the decision was based on a careful assessment of public interests, noting that the risk of damaging diplomatic ties outweighed the benefits of transparency. The Scottish government, meanwhile, partially released some documents, revealing that senior officials had only become aware of the allegations through media reports rather than direct communication from intelligence agencies. Internal communications obtained from the Scottish government show that John Swinney, the SNP leader, was informed of the Viginum report by his principal private secretary, John Webster. A message from Webster indicated that he had shared the report with Swinney, expecting him to seek further clarification on the implications of the findings and the measures being taken to address the issue. The documents also reveal that officials were still assessing the extent of the threat posed by BlackCore and considering steps to enhance electoral security. Despite the lack of direct knowledge from within the government, Swinney has publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling the situation a potential genocide, a stance that aligns with broader criticisms from the SNP leadership. The Scottish Greens, represented by co-leader Gillian Mackay, have called for greater accountability, arguing that the public has a right to know whether the government failed to detect threats to democracy before the polls closed. She stressed that the allegations against BlackCore constitute a serious challenge to Scotland’s democratic integrity and urged the government to provide detailed reassurances about the safeguards in place. Meanwhile, BlackCore itself has remained silent, having removed its online presence following inquiries by Reuters in June 2026. As the debate over transparency and security continues, the situation highlights the complex interplay between national sovereignty, international diplomacy, and the protection of democratic institutions.