ALEX Salmond has complied fully with Freedom of Information requests over his private hospitality after claims records were being 'systematically' destroyed, the Nationalists said yesterday.
The First Minister's spokesman was responding to reports that details of everyone who enjoyed the SNP private hospitality were deleted within 72 hours.
It was claimed this was done once security staff no longer required them.
The report followed Mr Salmond's decision last week to launch an inquiry into his own conduct after he treated a series of SNP donors, including Ayrshire's £161 million lottery winners Colin and Christine Weir, to tea at Bute House.
The Weirs gave the SNP a record £1m donation four days after meeting Salmond at his official residence in September. But as they had tea rather than lunch, dinner or drinks, their names were not recorded in official hospitality registers.
Mr Salmond's spokesman said: "We are pleased that the Information Commissioner finds that we complied in full with our Freedom of Information requirements, which concludes the matter.
"Of course, this is entirely consistent with the practice of previous administrations, whether it be the Labour/Lib Dem coalition or Tory Scottish Secretaries.
"However, in the case of the SNP administration, no donor events and nothing associated with party fund-raising take place in Bute House – never has and never will.
Everyone receiving hospitality at government events at Bute House is recorded."
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