{
  "id": 766315,
  "title": "UK withholds information on Israeli firm accused of targeting Scottish first minister in elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/uk-withholds-information-on-israeli-firm-accused-of-targeting",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T12:43:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-withholds-information-israeli-firm-accused-targeting-scottish-first-minister-elections"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK government has declined to release any information on an Israeli firm suspected of interfering in Scotland's parliamentary elections, citing potential damage to diplomatic relations with other nations. This decision comes after the French disinformation watchdog Viginum accused Israeli cyber firm BlackCore of meddling in elections in New York City, Scotland, and France's local elections. According to Viginum chief Marc-Antoine Brillant, BlackCore was suspected of being used for foreign digital interference operations, including those in Scotland and the 2025 New York municipal election. However, the source of commissioning the operations remains unclear. The National newspaper reported that it submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to both the UK and Scottish governments for disclosure of correspondence relating to Viginum's findings on alleged Israeli-linked influence operations affecting Scotland or Scottish elections. The UK Cabinet Office responded, stating that releasing such information would compromise national security, with the balance of public interest favoring withholding the information. BlackCore has been linked to interference in US and Scottish elections, as per the French watchdog's report.",
  "summary": "UK withholds information on Israeli firm accused of targeting Scottish first minister in elections Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 11:59 The British government refused an FOI request, saying releasing documents may 'prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and any other state' Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets Scottish National Party (SNP) First Minister John Swinney…",
  "key_points": [
    "UK refuses to disclose information on Israeli firm suspected of election interference in Scotland",
    "French watchdog Viginum accused Israeli cyber firm BlackCore of meddling in multiple elections",
    "UK government cites national security concerns for withholding potentially damaging information"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The UK government's decision to withhold information on the Israeli firm accused of targeting the Scottish first minister reflects a prioritization of diplomatic relations and national security over transparency.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}