A Dundee MSP told the city university’s principal of her “dismay” and disappointment that the head of a project examining independence had chaired a pro-Union event.
Sports Minister Shona Robison published the email she sent to Professor Pete Downes after Professor Chris Whatley appeared at the launch of Better Together Dundee earlier this month.
In the email she said: “I’m very disappointed with this development as I believe that the role of Five Million Questions has been positive with quality debate so far.
“However, I think Prof Whatley’s involvement in the Better Together campaign has the potential to damage the reputation of Five Million Questions and leaves serious concerns about its governance.”
Ms Robison also issued a statement saying she continues to support academic freedom.
She wrote: “I would never try to stifle debate or attempt to restrict the right of anyone, whether an academic or not, to have a view in the debate on Scotland’s future.”
A Better Together spokesman said: “The angry tone of the email exposes just how misjudged and inappropriate it was for an SNP minister to attempt to silence someone for opposing independence.”
A university spokesman said: “We responded to Ms Robison’s comments at the time. We had constructive dialogue with her and are happy to move along with the Five Million Questions project, which has been fully endorsed by political parties from all sides.”
Ms Robison has been accused of questioning Professor Whatley’s integrity with her comments.
At First Minister’s Questions last week, Alex Salmond stated he ‘absolutely endorsed’ Professor Whatley’s neutrality but he also rejected criticism of Ms Robison as “total and utter nonsense”.