SCOTLAND's police watchdog warned a government official not to interfere over the publication of a report criticising the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), it has emerged.

Emails obtained by a Sunday newspaper show that Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) Kate Frame rejected a suggestion that her report on the SPA's complaint handling procedures might be delayed.

The suggestion was made by Donald McGillivray, deputy director of the Scottish Government's police division, to Frame in November, against the backdrop of misconduct allegations against Chief Constable Phil Gormley.

In an email to Frame referencing Gormley's lawyers, he said: "I'm conscious the CC's lawyers are very active at the moment.

"Is there a risk that publication of a report that has some connection to the points that his lawyers may be considering could increase the risk to the whole process?"

He added: "I know the new regime at SPA has an open door to improvement around the complaints process and wonder if influencing through that route might carry less risk until the CC issue has moved on a bit, especially if the content of the report crosses over with points his lawyers are raising."

Frame responded: "I was more than a little surprised at your terms of your reply of November 30 querying the timing of its release and suggesting that I may wish instead to delay its release until 'the issue of the CC had moved on a bit'.

"My perception of your remarks is of governmental interference with my independence."

The report, published on December 29, concluded that the SPA's procedures for handling complaints about senior police officers, and its own staff and board members, were "neither effective nor efficient".

A spokeswoman for Pirc said: "During the second half of 2017, the Pirc audited and examined the SPA's complaint handling procedures for the period between April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017.

"The Pirc was committed to publishing her independent audit report by the end of 2017 and adhered to this schedule.

"This independence was emphasised to the Scottish Government in an email on December 23, 2017.

"The comment by the commissioner in the email was made to allay any potential for perception that the Government were attempting to interfere in her position of independence.

"There have been no incidents of government interference and the release of the audit document went ahead within the planned timescale."

The Scottish Government said there had been no involvement from ministers in the exchange, and it had become clear the report did not overlap the time period of complaints relating to Gormley.

A spokesman said: "Pirc is an independent body and has made clear that there has been no interference in the publication of this report.

"The Scottish Government has no role in either the timing or content of its reports.

"It is part of the normal role of the sponsorship function to support public bodies to consider their role in the wider context of public services."

The emails were published at a time when Justice Secretary Michael Matheson is facing criticism over his role in the SPA reversing a decision to allow Gormley, who denies the allegations, to return to work.

Labour and the Conservatives said Matheson should consider his position.

Tory Justice spokesman Liam Kerr MSP said: "These new revelations show that the SNP government's meddling in police matters is endemic, both at the SPA and now with the Pirc.

"Michael Matheson's department has torn up the rule book that is supposed to protect the independence of our police service, and as such the Scottish public can no longer have confidence in him. Simply put, the best course of action would be for him to resign."

Labour's Daniel Johnson MSP said: "The Justice Secretary has already misled Parliament about his dealings with the SPA, calling into question his position, now we find his department has tried to interfere with a Pirc investigation as well.

"It is hard to conceive how Mr Matheson can justify these actions, but Labour will be demanding he comes to Parliament and attempts to, and if he cannot, he must resign."