Parliamentary rules allow me to continue to process personal data for the purposes of carrying out casework for those resident in the Shetland Islands constituency during the campaign period. Members, as individual data controllers, are required to process personal data in terms of the requirements for data protection in the UK which are set out in the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has provided detailed for elected representatives (which includes MSPs) who process personal data for the purposes of undertaking constituency casework during this period.

For Members who are either not seeking re-election; we are able to continue processing these types of data until the thirtieth day after the date on which the election is held. This will be 6 June 2026. Offering urgent assistance to constituents during the campaign period is permitted under these rules.

Former Members and their staff are expected to undertake any casework in their local office, or at home, and in replying to correspondents there should be no party political or electioneering material included in any replies nor should any publicity be generated in respect of the casework.

If you have any questions about what is permissible in this period then please do get in touch.