Andrew Neil has mocked a former MSP’s claim that British agents have “captured and controlled” the SNP government after infiltrating the party.
Campbell Martin, who represented the SNP at Holyrood, alleged that people working for the Security Service have risen through the ranks of the nationalist party to positions where they can influence policy.
The 63-year-old claimed gender policies are being pushed by infiltrators in a bid to make the SNP unelectable and discredit the independence movement.
But Mr Neil, widely regarded as Britain’s toughest political interrogator, mocked the claims by Mr Martin.
The Scottish journalist said: “Former SNP MSP blames this year’s Scot Nat implosion on British spooks who have supposedly infiltrated the party right up to cabinet level.
“Not sure MI5 is that good (though it is headed by a Scot and University of Glasgow graduate).
“Nor do I think the new First Minister and his supporters really needed any help to implode his party.”
In reference to a motorhome seized as part of the police probe into the SNP’s finances, Mr Neil added: “Was that unused SNP camper van really an MI5 mobile listening post? I think we should be told.”
Mr Martin, who was elected as an SNP MSP in 2003 and expelled a year later after he criticised John Swinney’s leadership, claimed the SNP had been “completely compromised”.
Writing on a pro-independence website, he said: “It has been captured and controlled by the British state.
“The difference between those early days of the Scottish parliament and today, is that the British state assets in the SNP have, over the intervening years, risen through the ranks and now hold senior positions that have allowed them to influence party policies and direction, such as adopting a lack of urgency in delivering independence.”
Mr Martin added that he fears he may not live to see Scottish independence.
He said: “You have to hand it to the British state, it has played a blinder: today’s SNP is so corrupted by British agents that it has sidelined independence and embraced gender policies that make the party unelectable.”
Meanwhile, other senior SNP figures told The Times they believe MI5 uses agents to penetrate the independence movement.
