SSP leader urges executive to help free whistleblower Vanunu - The Herald THE Scottish Executive was asked yesterday to help put pressure on the Israeli government to secure the freedom of Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli whistleblower.
Colin Fox, leader of the Scottish Socialist party, asked Jack McConnell, the first minister, what representations he would make to allow Mr Vanunu to visit Scotland to take up his role as rector of Glasgow University.
In December last year, the former technician, jailed for 18 years for leaking Israel's nuclear secrets in 1986, was elected to the role at the institution.
He was freed from prison last April but is forbidden from leaving east Jerusalem or speak to foreigners.
Last week, he was indicted – three days after giving an interview to The Herald – for violating the terms of his release. The charges relate to his interviews with foreign media and defying a travel ban.
Mr McConnell said the executive had had no representation from Glasgow University on the issue, but that any response to such a representation would involve consultation with the Foreign Office.
The Socialist party leader told the chamber Mr Vanunu's bail conditions were up for review on April 21 and asked the first minister if he would make representations to UK and EU parliaments, urging them to make every effort to ensure Mr Vanunu's human right to return to Europe is recognised.
Mr Fox said of the first minister's response: "I'm disappointed he can't be more forthright. This is the second time he has opted out of an opinion on the matter."
Looking ahead to July's G8 summit in Perthshire, the Lothians MSP said there could be "no better sight to greet the arrival in Scotland in July of thousands of visitors to these shores" than to see Mr Vanunu at the head of the protests expected to target the event.
