HOME Secretary Theresa May is to hold talks with the SNP Government about extending an undercover policing inquiry to Scotland.
The discussions will take place following revelations about rogue police units that sent police officers to spy on left-wing groups north of the border.
Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes urged Justice Secretary Michael Matheson to launch his own probe if the talks are unsuccessful.
May set up the Pitchford Inquiry to examine allegations against officers in England and Wales who spied on protest and environmental groups.
In particular, the Inquiry will focus on two organisations: the now defunct Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU).
Some rogue SDS officers had sexual relationships with the women they targeted, took the identities of dead babies, and kept tabs on the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Mark Kennedy, a former NPOIU officer, slept with female protestors linked to groups he infiltrated.
The Inquiry is only examining undercover activity in England and Wales, as the SDS was controlled by the Metropolitan Police's Special Branch and the NPOIU was run by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
However, the Sunday Herald has revealed how the units operated in Scotland.
Kennedy is believed to have visited Scotland on 14 occasions and was the “transport co-ordinator” for protestors at the G8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005.
A US citizen, Sarah Hampton, also told this newspaper that she had an intimate relationship with Kennedy while he spyed on her in Scotland.
Another campaigner, Jason Kirkpatrick, has told how he suspects he was targeted by a female undercover officer at the G8.
The revelations prompted Matheson to call for May to extend the Pitchford remit to Scotland.
She has not backed the call but has offered talks.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have received a response from the UK Government in which the Home Secretary has offered to discuss the matter further with Mr Matheson. The Justice Secretary intends to take her up on her offer in due course.”
McInnes said: "Scots are entitled to expect the highest standards of policing and we need to get the full facts over how clandestine officers have been operating. The offer of talks from the Home Secretary is welcome, but with the inquiry already underway in England and Wales, the Scottish Government must also stand ready to launch a separate probe if required.
"The most important thing here is getting to the truth and ensuring that appropriate mechanisms are in place to prevent any repeat of these abuses of power. If the UK inquiry cannot deliver this for Scotland, Michael Matheson will need to make alternative arrangements."
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Pitchford Inquiry’s terms of reference specify it should specifically consider undercover police operations conducted by English and Wales police forces. The inquiry has an independent status under the Inquiries Act 2005 and it is for them to consider evidence against the terms of reference.”
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