© Salmon Scotland
The newspaper reported that the former Lib Dem leader is being investigated for allegedly breaking lobbying rules and for making threatening comments to Conservative MSP Edward Mountain.
The investigation was instigated after Dale Vince, founder of the Green Britain Foundation pressure group – and a vocal critic of the salmon farming sector – lodged a complaint about Scott’s behaviour during a meeting with Mountain in 2023. During the meeting the former politician allegedly attempted to force Mountain to retract comments he’d made in the Scottish Parliament about the high mortality rates that the industry was suffering from at the time.
As Vince explained in a statement: "This is important. Tavish Scott, former politician and now the face of Scotland's factory farmed salmon industry, is under investigation for unlawful lobbying. That's deeply troubling in itself. But what's worse is the bigger picture it reveals - an industry that believes it can bully its critics into silence.
“MSP Edward Mountain bravely called this out – he spoke publicly about the aggressive and threatening behaviour he faced from Scott, including warnings that the industry was ‘very unhappy’ with him and ‘willing to take action’ unless he withdrew his comments in Parliament. That's not debate – that's intimidation.
“Attempting to silence elected representatives through pressure and intimidation is an abuse of power, and it undermines our democracy. The Scottish Parliament must be a place for open, honest debate – not a playground for vested interests.
“This investigation must be thorough and unflinching, if wrongdoing is found, there must be real consequences. The days of the salmon industry using its wealth and influence to threaten and silence those who speak the truth must end. We need genuine reform in the interests of Scotland's people, its environment, and its democracy."
In Scott’s defence, a Salmon Scotland spokesperson stated: “Salmon Scotland fully complies with the lobbying register.”
