Brittany Kaiser, former director of Cambridge Analytica (CA)  has revealed to MP’s that discussions took place between the now notorious data analytics firm and the Scottish National Party (SNP). Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee today Kaiser said: “We have been in pitches and negotiations with UK parties in the past, such as the SNP.”

Kaiser added that “individuals came down from Edinburgh to visit us at our Mayfair headquarters,” and that meetings had also taken place in Edinburgh. The revelations came as SNP MP Brendan O’Hara confronted Kaiser on advertising material by the firm that claimed CA had worked extensively in the United Kingdom, suggesting it was a ’tissue of lies’. Kaiser responded, saying she had previously stated she had never worked in the United Kingdom.

Gasps were heard in the room after Kaisers’ revelations and O’Hara appeared shocked at the claim, stating: “Allow me to follow that particular stag into the forest then.”

Kaiser claims that she was not a part of those particular negotiations, as she was based in Washington DC at the time, however she said that she could review old emails to ascertain the names of those involved from both sides.

2014 Indy Ref

Kaiser did state that while she believes that no work had been undertaken during the 2014 Independence Referendum, she was aware that research modelling and targeting communications within Scotland – and for individuals that had the right to vote – was indeed pitched as a project.

Although she did not know which company she had pitched the work for, she did confirm that she had a significant amount of emails and documentation from that period that could shed light on the parties or campaigns were involved.

Since Kaiser’s allegations the SNP have denied working with CA but have admitted that an external consultant did have one meeting with CA in London. However, his assessment was that they were “a bunch of cowboys,” and no further meetings were held.

CA has been linked with a number of UK parties, as well as having a strong involvement with the ‘Leave’ campaign during the 2016 Brexit Referendum. Additionally, CA is said to have played a significant role in swaying the 2016 US Elections. Ms Kaiser’s statements lend support to Christopher Wylie’s claims earlier this month, that the data analytics firm had some involvement in the 2014 Independence Referendum.