/qresearch/ -  Q Research

Livermore emails to Lord Brailsford chair of scottish covid inquiry and Lady Hallet chair of uk covid inquiry.

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End of thread.

>>20843810

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ministers-conflict-interest-row-32782202

SNP ministers in 'conflict of interest' row over wind farms as they net almost £100m income from turbines on public land

Exclusive: Campaign group Scotland Against Spin have shed doubt on why the Scottish Government overturn so many wind farm rejections as they net a pretty penny from taxes and domestic rates from developers.

David Walker

10 MAY 2024

The Scottish Government have been accused of a "conflict on interest" in allowing huge wind farm developments to be built on publicly-owned land. SNP ministers want to increase the amount of turbines across the country in order to hit net zero climate targets.

However, it has been revealed that there is also a monetary reason for these plans, with the nationalist Executive netting almost £100m in income from wind farm companies in just a year. It has led to concerns that Scots are not being "given a voice" in how publicly owned land is being utilised.

We previously told how a SNP quango has chopped down 17 million trees in Scotland over the past 24 years in order to make way for renewable energy developments. This provoked anger in some rural communities who claim that their landscape has been blighted by massive turbines.

Aberdeenshire, Moray and rural Perthshire are all saturated with wind farms, with 19,000 planned to be built over the next six years to increase the amount of power generated by them. Statistics published last year showed that the government has overturned 50 per cent of appeals to stop wind farms being built.

Campaign group Scotland Against Spin want SNP ministers to adopt stricter rules around the building of more turbines, following the UK Government's footsteps where communities are allowed the final say, rather than civil servants. And they revealed the eye-watering amount of money raked in from developments.

At July 2022, an estimated £82.2m was anticipated to be raised in 2022/23 in non-domestic rates and £13.2m in rental income from wind farms and single turbines. This comes from all the public land which is used to build the renewable energy sources.

A spokeswoman for Scotland Against Spin pointed out that the Scottish Government is the biggest landowner in Scotland, but the "public are not being given a voice" in how the public land is being used. She told the Scottish Daily Express: "This is the biggest conflict of interest that could be imagined as Scottish Ministers are in charge of consenting s36 wind farms (big wind farms over 50MW) which will line their own pockets against the wishes of many local communities and local authorities, and the public who really 'own' that land.

"Some windfarm developers like Scottish Power Renewables are now applying for permanent planning permission on publicly owned land - that means the public never gets its land back , even if the political climate changes and communities/the public are given a say on how publicly owned land is used in future.

"It means, for example, that if the Whitelee Hydrogen project is consented (permanently) although this is not all on publicly owned land, that even if it does blow up or does cause downstream flooding, or other nuisance, there is nothing that can be done about it; it is there in perpetuity. "

There are a number of huge wind farm developments being considered by SNP ministers, including for the tallest turbines in the UK on Royal Deeside. The proposals for 16 massive turbines, which measure up to 656ft and twice the height of Big Ben, at Hill of Fare near Banchory have received over a 1,000 objections but it is up the government to decide on whether it goes ahead.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We need bold action to tackle the climate emergency and Scotland has extensive renewable generation capabilities with which to accelerate the just transition to net zero by 2045. We are clear that increasing renewable energy must benefit people across Scotland.

“Scotland has some of the most stringent environmental impact regulations anywhere in the world and our planning and consenting system ensures that local communities can always have their say. It is vital that local communities are fully engaged in and derive lasting benefits from any onshore wind development. A new sector deal, published last September, commits the industry to engagement at all stages of the project life cycle.”

>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/fury-taxpayers-fork-out-35million-32790281

Fury as taxpayers fork out £3.5MILLION on crew wages for SNP ferry that has never carried a passenger

The SNP Government hired 14 crew members to work on the MV Glen Sannox in 2022 – but two years later the vessel has still never entered service on the crisis-hit CalMac network

John Ferguson & Ben Borland

12 MAY 2024

Taxpayers have spent a staggering £3.5million paying the wages for crew on one of CalMac's delayed ferries despite it not carrying a single passenger.

The Scottish Government hired 14 staff to work on the MV Glen Sannox in 2022 when officials believed the massively over-budget vessel was six months from completion. It was originally due to set sail in 2018.

But two years on, the crew have yet to work on the job they were hired to do and have been paid the huge sum in wages, the Sunday Mail revealed. One despairing Holyrood MSP said "I have my head in my hands" at the latest extraordinary twist in the SNP's ferry fiasco.

Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson said: "CalMac must have crew ready for these vessels. The problem, of course, is that they have taken so long to build. CalMac were doing the right thing but they have been let down, as have our islanders, by this whole fiasco. It is just another example of how money has been wasted during this flawed project."

The Glen Sannox has yet to enter service after a catalogue of construction delays. The price tag for the vessel, along with a second ship the Glen Rosa, has grown from an initial estimate of £97million to over £360million.

The total wage bill includes three captains and 11 engineers while a further five officers were taken on last year. And Scottish Lib Dem economy spokesman Willie Rennie questioned why CalMac had "pushed on" with recruitment despite the possibility of further delays.

"I have my head in my hands," he said. "Yet more money wasted on these dreaded ferries. We know there were discussions about possible construction delays when CalMac decided to employ the crew members, which makes it particularly troubling that they pushed ahead with recruitment regardless.

"Bills, delays and disruptions are all islanders and taxpayers have ever known from these ferries. As one of his first acts, John Swinney must get a grip of this never-ending ferry fiasco."

And Scottish Labour's transport spokesman Alex Rowley said "The SNP's woeful mismanagement of this ferry project has left islanders stranded and taxpayers picking up the tab. Workers on both the ferry and at the shipyard have been left in the lurch by this incompetent SNP government and the chaos it has created. There must be no more delays or added costs to the delivery of these lifeline ferries."

The ship is currently docked on the Clyde near Ferguson Marine shipyard at Port Glasgow. It is now afloat and has been undergoing sea trials, although drone footage obtained by the Sunday Mail shows very few workers aboard.

CalMac boss says crew have provided cover across the network

Duncan Mackison, interim CEO of CalMac, said normal procedure is for senior crew staff to be hired six months before a new ferry launches. He said: "A number of senior crew already recruited to operate MV Glen Sannox have been working hard on both preparing the vessel for service and supporting existing CalMac operations.

"Three Masters and 11 engineers joined CalMac in February 2022, at a time when MV Glen Sannox was scheduled to be delivered in July 2022. An additional five officer roles were filled in November 2023, at a time when delivery was expected between March and May 2024.

"Senior crew members for any new vessel are required to attend the yard where the vessel is being built. Roles such as masters and senior engineers play a critical part in getting vessels ready to enter service and have developed operating procedures, work instructions and vessel familiarisation for MV Glen Sannox.

"Time for all of this is factored into recruitment and the crew members we have recruited have spent a significant amount of time at Ferguson Marine. They have provided cover and relief on other major vessels in our fleet at various points, allowing us to maintain services across the CalMac network.

"The recruitment process for a new vessel's crew is staggered, beginning with senior positions approximately six months in advance and progressively filling other roles as the delivery and then deployment date approached. The full crew is typically only in place four weeks prior to delivery.

"CalMac looks forward to taking delivery of MV Glen Sannox and getting her operationally ready to enter service and improve the service we provide to and from Arran. We have not recruited any crew for MV Glen Rosa yet and will follow due process as we have done with MV Glen Sannox."

>>20856771

70m / 300 pax Passenger / RoRo Ship for Sale / #1054977 $7,000,000

LOA 70,35 m Beam 19,44 m Draft 2,2 m Total passenger capacity 300 abt. 56 Cars Built in year 1995 Class : DNV Flag : Argentina Gross Tonnage of 1.760 and Nett Tonnage of 528 Speed : 45 knots Engines : 4 x Caterpillar / Caterpillar Inc 3616TA, 21.680 kw, 1.000 rpm, Propellers 1 Water Jet (Port Side Inner) + 1 Water Jet (Port Side Outer) + 1 Water Jet (Starboard Inner) + 1 Water Jet (Starboard Outer) Auxiliaries Engines : 2 Caterpillar 186 kw… read more

Year: 1995

Length: 70.35m

Location: Hamburg Germany

Price: $7,000,000

41m / 267 pax Passenger Ship for Sale / #1055207 €1,700,000

LOA 40,6 m Beam 9,4 m Draft 1,4 m Total passenger capacity 267 1 Deck Built in year 1997 Class : Registro Italiano Navale Flag : Italy Gross Tonnage of 375 and Nett Tonnage of 127 Speed : 32 knots Engines : 2 x Caterpillar / Caterpillar Inc 3516B-HD, 4.476 kw, 1.925 rpm, Propellers 1 Water Jet (Port Side) + 1 Water Jet (Starboard)… read more

Year: 1997

Length: 40.6m

Location: Hamburg Germany

Price: €1,700,000

96m / 755 pax Passenger / RoRo Ship for Sale / #1059428

LOA 96 m Beam 26 m Draft 3,98 m Total passenger capacity 755 1 Deck total 759 Lane meters abt. 230 Cars Built in year 1999 Class : DNV Flag : Malta Gross Tonnage of 5.528 and Nett Tonnage of 2.017 Speed : 37,5 knots Engines : 4 x Ruston / Ruston Paxman Diesels Ltd 20RK270, 28.320 kw, 1.030 rpm, Propellers 1 Water Jet (Port Side Inner) + 1 Water Jet (Port Side Outer) + 1 Water Jet (Starboard Inner) + 1 Water Jet (Starboard Outer) Auxiliaries Engines : 4 Caterpillar 298 kw… read more

Year: 1999

Length: 96m

Location: Hamburg Germany

https://www.apolloduck.eu/boats-for-sale/commercial-vessels/ferry

Larger vessels also available at Hamburg, youngest built 2016

This one can be charter or sale:

PRICE REDUCED / Charter or Sale / 164m / 2.294 pax Passenger / RoRo Ship for Sale / #1029165 €25,000,000

LOA 164,41 m Beam 27,6 m Draft 6,3 m Total passenger capacity 2.294 with 935 berths 4 Decks total 1.850 Lane meters abt. 466 Cars Built in year 1986 Class : Registro Italiano Navale Flag : Italy Gross Tonnage of 31.910 and Nett Tonnage of 13.080 Speed : 21 knots Engines : 4 x MAN / MAN B&W Diesel Gmbh 8L40/45, 19.360 kw, 600 rpm, Propellers 1 Controllable Pitch (Port Side Aft) + 1 Controllable Pitch (Starboard Aft) Auxiliaries Engines : 4 Stork-Wartsila 720 kw, Bowthruster + No Sternthruster (2 Bow Thwart. CP thruster), Boilers : 2 x WT Aux… read more

Year: 1986

Length: 164.41m

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https://www.apolloduck.eu/boats-for-sale/commercial-vessels/ferry

>>20849309

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/raging-nicola-sturgeon-threatened-confiscate-32790635

Nicola Sturgeon threatened to confiscate phones and snoop on emails as she raged about SNP leaks

The former First Minister is said to have warned that 'phones will have to be handed in and emails checked' as she fumed about leaks from the party relating to the SNP's finances

Ben Borland

12 MAY 2024

Nicola Sturgeon threatened to confiscate mobile phones from her SNP minions as she raged about "leaks" at a meeting where the party's finances were discussed.

The Scottish Mail on Sunday also revealed the former First Minister demanded access to email accounts amid concerns about members of the SNP's national executive committee breaking the strict code of secrecy and leaking information to the media.

Documents seen by the newspaper state that "phones will have to be handed in and emails checked". It came as former treasurer Colin Beattie was facing questions about where £600,000 raised for a second independence referendum had gone.

A meeting minute from June 1, 2019 - attributed to Ms Sturgeon - reads: "Cannot find words strong enough to deprecate leaking about party members. Most of the time people know who is responsible because of reasons for leaking… If there is an inquiry, phones will have to be handed in and emails checked, etc."

At that same NEC meeting, a finance report to members suggested that, because information was being handed to journalists, SNP top brass felt it "necessary to consider what financial information can be safely discussed at NEC".

Her warning to members was two years before she was captured on video furiously insisting the SNP's finances had never been stronger. She told the NEC in March 2021: "There are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party's finances and all of us need to be careful about not suggesting that there is."

The latest revelations come as Police Scotland confirmed Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie are still suspects in Operation Branchform, the probe into alleged SNP fraud. Both were arrested and questioned in 2023, before being released without charge.

Minutes from the June 1 NEC meeting show Midlothian MSP Mr Beattie presented a financial report, with the log reading: "Colin Beattie mentioned leaking and that this must not happen again. He is happy to individually discuss any issues with NEC members."

It then states: "In response to question from Norman MacLeod, Yes funds belong to the party and are ring-fenced for spending. [It] is sitting in [the] party books but not specifically broken down."

'At no point were any threats made'

At the "any other committee business" part of the meeting, Ms Sturgeon made it clear leakers would not be tolerated. The following day, Mr Beattie snubbed a request to discuss finances when one NEC member sought advice, according to emails handed to the newspaper.

The member wrote: "I had some questions at yesterday's NEC that for some reason it was stated only you could answer. I'm surprised that the financial operation of the party relies solely on you.

"I had asked how much the current Yes fundraiser had raised. Nobody at the meeting was able to answer this? I had asked what the final balance of the Scot Ref fundraiser was in 2017(?) and where exactly this money was, i.e. was it included combined with the current fundraiser or was it sitting in a standalone earmarked reserve?"

An SNP spokesman said: "It is entirely normal for the SNP to seek to protect the confidentiality of internal matters. And while the process of what a leak inquiry might entail was discussed, at no point were any threats made."

>>20849309

>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/former-nurse-vows-blow-snps-32790952

Former nurse vows she will blow the SNP's Covid scandal wide open at the Scottish public inquiry

Lesley Roberts – who has led the campaign for justice, including a criminal complaint for corporate manslaughter against Nicola Sturgeon and Jeane Freeman – is to give evidence on May 22

Ben Borland

12 MAY 2024

Heroic ex-nurse Lesley Roberts is to give evidence at the Scottish Covid Inquiry over two sessions that promise to blow apart the Scottish Government's handling of the pandemic.

The whistleblower – who has endured threats and abuse for speaking out about what really happened on the Covid-19 frontline – has reported Nicola Sturgeon and Jeane Freeman to Police Scotland for corporate manslaughter.

She has been summoned by inquiry chair Lord Brailsford to the Scottish Land Court on George Street in Edinburgh on Wednesday, May 22 to give evidence over two sessions. Ms Roberts said: "It's a double dunter. I think it might be worth getting the popcorn in because I won't be holding back."

It can now be revealed that Ms Roberts has already met with inquiry officials to discuss three different areas:

the circumstances leading up to her mother Letitia's death in November 2021. She said: "I have an SPSO outcome which challenges Inverclyde HSCP on a number of behaviours."

her former job as an Infection Control Nurse with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the impact the lack of adequate PPE and infection control processes had on patients and staff and the wider community. Ms Roberts said: "I also spoke about DNR orders and the NICE NG191 protocols which ended patients lives rapidly."

her role as an accredited Unite trade union rep. She said: "Called to discuss PPE and other issues including risk assessment, RIDDOR recording, hazard definition tables and other things which impacted on human life during the pandemic."

Speaking to the Scottish Daily Express, Ms Roberts said: "I'll be speaking about how basic infection control was ignored and how all the relevant protocols that would've kept infection in one place were thrown to the wind. Nurses were even taking their uniforms home to wash.

"I'll be speaking about how all the evidence on face masks was ignored. In some cases, the masks even arrived in boxes which said 'Warning, does not protect against coronavirus'. They did not protect against infectious aerosols, which is why they told us the virus was spread by droplets.

"That's why they are guilty of corporate manslaughter because they knew the masks weren't protecting the frontline workers. There was a lack of RIDDOR recording, they were in essence shredding the link between contacts so you could never trace a workplace infection back to the source.

"There was no direct link to show where a nurse or a care worker caught the virus and who they had been working with at the time. I'll be talking about [Do Not Attempt CPR], I'm going to showcase what was happening and say this is what was going on. Doctors were walking into the ward and anybody who fell under protected characteristics were getting deemed [Do Not Resuscitate]. They were showing people to their deaths, they were escorting them there."

'Anybody that's art and part needs to go to jail'

She also intends to raise her police complaint against Ms Sturgeon and Ms Freeman, which is still under investigation as part of Operation Koper – the long-running probe jointly led by Police Scotland and the Crown Office to examine avoidable Covid-19 deaths in care homes and other public settings.

Ms Roberts said: "At the end of the day that is who I think is to blame, Nicola Sturgeon, Jeane Freeman, Jason Leitch, even John Swinney, all that cabal of incompetence that deleted their messages and failed to keep minutes from their meetings. We will never know what they were discussing.

>>20858585

……………………………………………………………………………continued……………………………………………………………………….

"I think that was covering up and that makes them art and part to corporate manslaughter at the very least and anybody that's art and part needs to go to jail. In a normal society anybody who's done what they've done would go to jail. But how can this investigation possibly be impartial with a Lord Advocate who sits as a government minister, I will be throwing that in for good measure."

Many of the issues surrounding the death of Ms Roberts' mother relate to the use of power of attorney. However, her daughter found a DNA CPR notice in a laundry bag containing her mum's soiled clothing after she was discharged from Inverclyde Royal Hospital in 2020.

Evidence explainer

Lack of suitable PPE: NHS and social care staff in Scotland (and across the UK) were issued with FFP2 masks, which must filter at least 94% of airborne particles, instead of FFP3 masks which offer a higher level of protection, with a minimum filtration efficiency of 99% for 0.3-micron particles.

DNA/DNACPR orders: There is widespread evidence that a 'blanket' approach was taken during the pandemic, especially against elderly patients or those with learning disabilities. The Scottish Government has insisted there was no change in the use of the orders. The initials stand for Do Not Resuscitate or Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

NICE NG191 protocol: The 'end of life' protocol from NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, was issued to doctors and nurses across the UK on April 3, 2020 and remained in place until March 21, 2021. According to Ms Roberts and other campaigners, it told medics to prescribe a potentially lethal cocktail of drugs to patients with advanced Covid-19, which exacerbated their breathing difficulties.

RIDDOR recording: The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) is a statutory requirement under UK health and safety law. During the pandemic, it was paused by the Health and Safety Executive for cases involving "general transmission in the workplace".

Hazard Definition Tables: Under UK and Europe-wide regulations, Covid-19 was classed in Hazard Group 3 ("can cause severe human disease and may be a serious hazard to employees; it may spread to the community, but there is usually effective prophylaxis or treatment available") rather than Hazard Group 4 ("causes severe human disease and is a serious hazard to employees; it is likely to spread to the community and there is usually no effective prophylaxis or treatment available").

For more news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter but never miss the latest top headlines and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

>>20849309

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/12668470/operation-branchform-cops-poised-to-submit-report/

TOP COP'S VOW Police probing SNP finances to submit report ‘in weeks’ says Chief Constable after Nicola Sturgeon’s husband charged

The significant step emerged as Scotland’s top cop gave her first major interview

Graham Mann

13 May 2024

COPS working on Operation Branchform - the probe into SNP finances - are expected to submit a report to prosecutors within weeks, we can reveal.

The significant step in the long-running investigation emerged as Scotland’s top cop gave her first major interview since taking office in October.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell would not be drawn on the details of the probe that saw former SNP chief Peter Murrell last month charged with embezzlement.

But she confirmed officers will soon pass to the Crown Office their findings into a probe centred around a £600,000 indy campaign donation to the Nats.

It will then be up to prosecutors to decide if court proceedings should follow.

Ms Farrell said: “We expect a report will be submitted within the next few weeks.”

It’s understood the force will deliver a “standard prosecution report” in relation to Mr Murrell, while investigations into his wife former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, 53, and ex-Nats treasurer Colin Beattie continue.

Details of the imminent move come weeks after Mr Murrell, 59, quit the SNP with an embezzlement charge hanging over his head.

We told how he had earlier been arrested by cops for a second time and quizzed for more than nine hours.

He attended a police station by appointment last month after leaving his home in Uddingston, Glasgow, just after 8am.

He was then arrested at 9.13am then charged at 6.35pm and released.

The bombshell came a year after he and Mr Beattie were both arrested, grilled by detectives and then released without charge - as was Ms Sturgeon on June 11 last year.

Police raided the couple’s home last April, with a forensics tent pitched in front and officers seen carrying out boxes of evidence.

Operation Branchform was launched in July 2021 after allegations were made about £600,000 of donations made to the party.

Ms Sturgeon previously said of her husband’s embezzlement charge - "It's incredibly difficult."

The ex-First Minister spoke outside the couple's Glasgow home as her successor Humza Yousaf also told of his "shock" at last month’s development.

After appealing for privacy, Ms Sturgeon, who denies all wrongdoing, said: "I can't say any more. I'm not going to say any more."

Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said: “This is a very serious and complex case, which appears to be nearing its conclusion.

“It’s essential that all figures within the SNP cooperate fully with the police to enable them to complete the investigation into the party’s finances.”

An SNP spokesperson said: “It is not appropriate to comment on a live police investigation.”

>>20849325

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/12675420/snp-john-swinney-gender-trans-women/

'JUST SILLY' SNP leader John Swinney ‘ties himself in knots’ when asked to give definition of a woman

He said that a woman is 'an adult female born as a woman'

Conor Matchett

13 May 2024

JOHN Swinney was today accused of “tying himself in knots” over the definition of a woman - after giving a bizarre answer on the subject.

The First Minister has faced criticism for his previous reluctance to give his own definition amid fierce debate over controversial gender self-ID laws.

Earlier today he attempted to clear up his stance but his response sparked further concerns among women’s rights groups with one labelling it “just silly”.

Asked whether he believes a trans woman is a woman, Mr Swinney said a woman is “an adult female born as a woman”.

But added he “accepts that transgender women are defined as women.”

His answer comes after JK Rowling blasted the new First Minister shortly after his coronation as SNP leader when he refused to answer the same question.

The Harry Potter author said shortly after Mr Swinney’s coronation as SNP leader that he was “obfuscating and blustering” on the issue, and that it did not convince her that “the rights and protections of 51 per cent of the population are safe in their hands.”

Mr Swinney went on to insist he would do “nothing to threaten the safety of women and girls”, despite campaigners claiming the gender recognition reforms do exactly that.

But Scots Tory deputy leader, Meghan Gallacher, attacked the First Minister for his continued backing of the “dangerous” gender self-ID law.

She said: “John Swinney, like Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, tied himself in knots over the definition of a woman because of the problems created by the SNP’s reckless gender self-ID policy.

“If he really wants to protect the safety of women and girls, he will reverse this dangerous policy which clearly compromises it.”

And the Alba Party - whose sole MSP Ash Regan quit as an SNP minister over gender self-ID - said Mr Swinney would be “quickly dropped” by voters if he did not “drop the gender politics” of the Greens.

Chris McEleny - the party’s general secretary - said: “John Swinney has attempted to come to two polar opposite positions at the same time - that is the position of sensible people in society that a woman is an adult female and at the same time he claims that trans women can be adult females.”

Dr Lucy Hunter-Blackburn, of policy analysts Murray Hunter Blackburn, also criticised Mr Swinney’s answer.

She said: “I see the Scottish Government is still behaving as if they think they can handle questions round the relevance of sex in language, policy and law as if this was just a word game scripted by Lewis Carroll. That stage is well past.”

And women’s rights campaigners For Women Scotland also blasted the position, saying: “This is just silly!”

The criticism comes as the SNP face pressure to commit to bringing in changes to how transgender children are treated in Scotland following a landmark report into gender identity services in England.

A four-year review by Dr Hilary Cass published last month warned that kids questioning their gender should be steered away from medical treatment.

The NHS England commissioned report also raised concerns that evidence for allowing children to change their gender is built on weak foundations and warned against the use of puberty blockers.

But Holyrood ministers have refused to commit to implementing it in full, instead saying it requires “thoughtful consideration”.

Mr Swinney’s potential closest Holyrood allies the Scottish Greens restated their belief that “trans women are women” but refused to criticise the SNP leader for his muddled stance.

A spokesperson for the party welcomed the First Minister’s support for the controversial gender self-ID reforms which were blocked by the UK Government last year.

They said: “Scottish Green MSPs will work with him in calling for a new UK government to lift the undemocratic Section 35 Order that blocked this important change”.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/anas-sarwar-defends-general-election-32798210

Anas Sarwar defends general election candidate selections from outside Scotland

The Scottish Labour leader told journalists he would not “turn my back” on candidates from down south who had a “connection” or “love” for Scotland.

Andrew Quinn

13 MAY 2024

Anas Sarwar has defended Labour's decision to select general election candidates from England in Scottish seats.

The Scottish Labour leader told journalists he would not “turn my back” on candidates from down south who had a “connection” or “love” for Scotland.

A councillor from Kent, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, will represent the party in Angus and Perthshire Glens, with Eva Kestner, a London councillor, selected to contest the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency.

Melanie Ward, the chief executive of the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, will fight the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat despite living in London.

Speaking after he delivered a speech at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, Sarwar told journalists: “There are people who have connections and ties to Scotland, who want to come and serve the Scottish people.

“I am not going to turn my back on someone that has a love for Scotland, history with Scotland or a connection with Scotland that wants to deliver for the people of Scotland.”

He added: “I’m proud of our candidates. We’re brimming with talent, we’re brimming with confidence and I can’t wait to elect a whole host of new Scottish MPs and a whole host of new Scottish Labour MSPs.”

Sarwar also defended the selection of Ward for the key seat in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.

She was selected after the previous candidate Wilma Brown was deselected following the discovery of offensive social media posts.

The Scottish Labour leader said Ward was a “phenomenal candidate”.

He added: “She is spending every minute of every day trying to get lifesaving supplies into the Gaza Strip, to save people’s lives, to get them the necessary treatment they need because of a completely broken health system.

“Nobody can tell me she is not a phenomenal candidate standing in a Scottish seat who would be a great champion for the Scottish Labour Party and deliver change for the Scottish people whilst also celebrating Labour’s internationalism to defeat poverty and injustice right around the world.”

>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scots-want-less-migrants-scotland-32795589

Scots want less migrants in Scotland in shattering blow to SNP's Scexit claims

The nationalist-led Scottish Government has released independence papers claiming that the country is more welcoming to immigration than the rest of the UK but a new report has suggested this is partially false.

David Walker

13 MAY 2024

Scots want less migrants coming north of the border, according to new research, blowing a massive hole in the SNP's independence claims. The nationalist party have based a number of their Scexit prospectuses on statements which indicate the Scotland is more welcoming to immigration than those south of the border.

SNP MP Kirsty Blackman even claimed that immigration to Scotland would be "unlimited" in the event of the break up of the UK. She said: "The whole idea of whole Rwanda scheme, all of this is built on a premise that immigration is bad, right? The whole idea, the whole trying to win votes on.

"This only works if you start from the premise that immigration is a bad thing, and that we shouldn't have it, and that we need to reduce it and that we need to stop people coming here." And Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has repeatedly insisted that targeting small boats and the Rwanda policy was "not Scotland's values."

But according to research from Migration Policy Scotland, support for immigration north of the border has cooled over the last year, with those wanting less immigration rising from 28% to 42%. Now, almost half of Scots want to reduce the flow of migrants, with this indicating that the Tories are right to be targeting illegal immigration.

Immigration in to Scotland has been rising since the turn of the century with about one in 10 people living here being born outside the UK. The SNP want to increase those numbers after Scexit in a bid to boost the economy and help with the ageing population.

The survey found that 25% of respondents wanted immigration reduced substantially and another 17% by "a little." This compared to 10% wanting immigration increased "a lot" and 21% wanting it pushed up by a "little" while the single biggest group, 26%, wanted levels to remain the same.

Sarah Kyambi, director of Migration Policy Scotland, wrote in the Times that views over immigration had "cooled" in the last year. She said: "John Swinney, Scotland's first minister, has called for more immigration to stimulate economic growth.

"Research from Migration Policy Scotland indicates that Swinney's view is better aligned with what the Scottish public want. Historically high-net migration figures could be interpreted as signalling time for greater restrictiveness. And this representative survey does find that Scottish views have cooled over the past 12 months. Yet the research also shows a clear if cautious pragmatism."

The think tank did discover significant differences in attitudes between supporters of different parties, with those who voted for the Tories in 2019 overwhelmingly supporting a reduction in immigration levels (68%), compared to 43% for Labour, 31% for Lib Dems and 28% for the SNP.

And Scottish nationalists are the most likely to back increased immigration at 48%. Scots remain more pro-immigration than the UK average. However, the gap is narrowing.

The report added: "For the UK as a whole, a majority (52 per cent) favour a reduction in immigration. While this is now also the most common response in Scotland, at 42 per cent it remains shy of a majority response. The gap in views between the Scottish and UK-wide surveys has shrunk across the board with the greatest alignment of views occurring in relation to the proportion of responses favouring a reduction - a 20 percentage point gap in 2023 has shrunk to a difference of 10 percentage points."

>>20849312

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/comment/humza-yousafs-yearly-33000-golden-32796939

Humza Yousaf's yearly £33,000 golden pension revealed despite 13 months of failure as FM

The former first minister will not be short of cash when he retires with the taxpayer footing a huge bill when he reaches the age of 65

Douglas Dickie

13 MAY 2024

Humza Yousaf will pick up a cool £33,000 every year from the taxpayer when he retires as details of his whopping pension emerge. The former SNP leader stepped down as first minister after 13 months last month having endured a miserable time in the role.

We previously reported that the Glasgow Pollok MSP is entitled to a £52,000 resettlement grant after resigning. And if that isn't enough for him, he has a huge pension to look forward to when he finally retires.

With 11 years behind him at Holyrood, almost all of it as a government minister, he would receive around £33,000 every year from the age of 65 even if he quit tomorrow. The PA news agency reported the figure after social media users wrongly suggested his pension would be £52,000 a year.

The scheme that would have resulted in that amount was actually scrapped in 2009. But Mr Yousaf, 39, will not find himself short when he finally does reach pension age, which is 65 under the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme.

As well as a first minister's pension of over £2,000 a year, Mr Yousaf is also entitled to further retirement payments from his time as an MSP and as a Holyrood minister. A law introduced in 1999 said that "any person who has held the office of first minister or presiding officer shall, on ceasing to hold that office", be entitled to a pension.

It added that "the annual amount of a pension payable under this article shall be equal to one half of the salary". But in 2009 new legislation was passed that meant that anyone who became first minister after that date was no longer entitled to that type of pension.

The First Minister of Scotland is currently paid £176,780 per year, of which £72,196 is for their work as an MSP and would not be included in such a calculation. If these rules were still in place today then Mr Yousaf would have been entitled to a pension of £52,292, which is half of £104,584 – his additional pay for being the first minister.

MSPs have two pension options which mean they can contribute either a higher or a lower proportion of their salaries each year. If an MSP contributes the higher rate they are entitled to one 40th of their final annual salary as a pension. If they contribute the lower rate they are entitled to one 50th of their final salary as a pension.

Because Mr Yousaf served for just over a year as first minister, he will be entitled to a pension of either one 40th or one 50th of £104,584. That would equate to around £2,600 or £2,100 per year depending on which option he chose.

He will also be entitled to a pension for the years he serves as an MSP. Mr Yousaf was elected as a regional Glasgow MSP in 2011 and in 2016 became the Glasgow Pollok MSP, an office he still holds.

If he were to step down today after 13 years in Holyrood – assuming he had been paying the higher contribution for that entire period – he would be entitled to a little under £23,500 per year, which is added to his first minister pension. Mr Yousaf is also entitled to further pension payments from his various ministerial roles.

Mr Yousaf served as a minister for five years and nine months in the Scottish Parliament and then as a Scottish secretary of state for four years and nine months. Combined, these entitle Mr Yousaf to another pension pot of a little over £7,200. Assuming he has contributed the higher rate for all of his time as an MSP, Mr Yousaf is currently entitled to around £33,300 in yearly pension payments when he retires at, or beyond, age 65.

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>>20856220

>>20856229

>>20849886

>>20835562

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-scotland-chief-constable-blasts-32791582

Police Scotland Chief Constable blasts the SNP's soft-touch justice system as 'very inefficient'

In one of her first major interventions to stamp her authority on the national force, Jo Farrell has also said her officers must not spend so much time answering mental health distress calls

Police Scotland’s Chief Constable has blasted the Scottish judicial system as “very inefficient” compared to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England and Wales.

The incendiary comments from Jo Farrell, who joined officers on patrol in Glasgow city centre on Friday night, risk a turf war between the police, the courts and the Crown Office.

Ms Farrell also pledged to cut the amount of time her officers must spend on mental health distress calls. And she vowed to return the focus to “frontline policing”, including probes into organised crime and measures to tackle fraud, cyber offences, and online sex abuse of children.

The Chief Constable said the cash-strapped force had been forced to spend up to £3million on overtime for officers to attend court over the past year – despite the majority not being required to give evidence.

She did praise efforts to speed up the system at Glasgow and Dundee sheriff courts, which she said were led by “very forward thinking” individuals, but warned that change was “not fast enough”.

The demands of court attendance are also placing a strain on officers’ family lives, she said, adding that victims often asked “why is this happening” due to repeated delays.

'The system is not joined up at all'

“Their lives have been disrupted and their lives have been put on hold,” she said. “What I’ve observed is a system that’s very inefficient. That is having a significant impact on policing, it is not joined up at all.”

The former Durham Chief Constable, who came up through the ranks in the Cambridgeshire and Northumberland, contrasted her first six months in Scotland with her experience with the CPS down south.

Another major bugbear for rank-and-file officers are mental health welfare calls, which can be as frequent as three or four per minute on a busy day, compared to domestic abuse calls once every eight minutes. Ms Farrell said such welfare checks were consuming time equivalent to 600 police officers per year, out of a service of around 16,000.

Asked if a Scottish Police Federation description of “reactive policing” was accurate, Ms Farrell told the Press Association: “I think they make a fair point. Some of the challenge that goes with it is partly in relation to mental health – every three to four minutes there’s a call of that nature coming into our control rooms.

“The other thing that I’ve been very surprised at is the amount of money time and resources we have to dedicate around officers going being called into court to give evidence.We spent £3m on overtime and I would estimate a third of those officers were on rest days or annual leave.

“When they call to court, and this is a conservative estimate, only 15% of them will give evidence and then they’ll be called again and again. This is happening to victims and witnesses and members of the public.”

'Reliant on police sharing evidence quickly'

In response, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) said measures were already underway to transform the justice system.

These include the summary case management pilot, which is underway in Hamilton, Paisley, Dundee, Glasgow and Perth and has led to a 30% reduction in first citations. However, both organisations appeared to suggest that Police Scotland must take a share of the blame for any delays.

An SCTS spokesman said: “The pace of the rollout of Summary Case Management is heavily dependent on Police Scotland in sharing evidence quickly to support targeted evidence disclosure by COPFS.

“SCTS welcomes the recognition by the Chief Constable that system change is ‘not fast enough’ as we seek to achieve a national rollout which will benefit not only Police Scotland but many complainers, witnesses and accused persons. The success of these judicially led initiatives relies upon strong co-operation across the system.”

A COPFS spokesman said: “We work with Police Scotland, and the courts service who schedule trials, to have witness availability taken into account when trials are fixed. We also work with the police to ensure that cases are ready to proceed. COPFS believes effective case management has the capacity to transform the experience of witnesses in the justice system and reduce unnecessary attendance.”

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/newly-released-files-suggest-scots-32735387

Newly released files suggest Scots Nazi fugitive was linked to UK intelligence services

Authorities needed help in 'pinpointing' troublemakers during the Miners' Strikes

Paula Murray

4 MAY 2024

A Nazi commander evaded prosecution after he was allowed to settle in Scotland with the blessing of UK officials, secret documents reveal.

Newly declassified files claim Lithuanian Anton Gecas was linked to the British intelligence services as he arrived in the country among Polish refugees in 1947.

Armed with a testimonial describing him a “fine officer with an outstanding character” Gecas, whose real name was Lieutenant Antanas Gecevicius, was actually in charge of a unit linked to the SS regiment which killed tens of thousands of Jews, communists and resistance fighters during the Second World War.

He landed a managerial position in a Midlothian mine allegedly to spy on the workers and avoided jail after the Crown Office ruled there was “insufficient evidence” he had committed war crimes.

Gecas died at the age of 85 in 2001 and The Times reports documents in the National Archives in Kew, in London, suggest his case was known to the UK intelligence officers.

Minutes of a meeting involving a British ambassador to Israel and the director of Simon Wiesenthal Centre (SWC) in Jerusalem - famous for pursuing Nazis - state his name had been in a list of suspected Lithuanian war criminals submitted to the British Consul in Los Angeles in October 1986.

But according to the minutes the British government had “appeared reluctant to deal with the issue” with the SWC believing Gecas “had some involvement with MI6 after the war”.

Dr Efraim Zuroff who was in charge of the organisation at the time, said they’d been told the Lithuanian was an anti-communist informant adding: "The British authorities were very concerned about the situation in the mining industry.

"They needed someone on the inside who was able to help them identify who the troublemakers were.”

A veteran who helped capture Gecas in 1944 reported him to the police after learning his former prisoner was stationed at Bilston Glen colliery, the site of clashes during the Miners’ Strike, but was told the foreigner had immunity.

The US office of Special Investigations also had the Nazi, who got his British passport in the mid 1950s, in their sight in 1981 and just over a decade later his vile past was exposed in a TV documentary.

Investigation

Scottish authorities launched an investigation and received a huge file of documents from the SWC but did not proceed with the case because there was “too great a gulf between what we know and what we can prove for any prosecution to succeed”.

Dr Zuroff insisted dropping the case was inexcusable and added: “The evidence was there. It was clear and it was damning.”

Jon Silverman, who wrote Safe Haven outlining failures to prosecute Uk-based Nazi collaborators, said he had heard of suggestions Gecas had been an informant.

But the emeritus professor of media and criminal justice at the University of Bedfordshire added: “Until the various agencies release any files which they may hold on Gecas, which is unlikely, this will remain speculation.”

A spokesman for the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Office it was unable to comment because the age of the case means there is no record available given “our strict data retention policy”.

This is due to the age of the case and our strict data retention policy."

Just think of the probability of foreign men being used now against the interests of indigenous Brits now with so many here from all over the world…and many in government?

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>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/nicolas-sturgeon-humza-yousaf-lose-32807707

Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf to lose Holyrood seats amid Glasgow wipeout for SNP

Angus Robertson, Neil Gray and Mairi McAllan would also be relying on the regional list to hold on to their job if analysis of new polling is correct

Douglas Dickie

14 MAY 2024

Two former first ministers face the humiliation of losing their seat at the next Scottish election - assuming they even stick around for the fight. Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf would be among the victims of a Glasgow wipeout for the SNP, according to new analysis.

Polling by Savanta last week suggested Labour would overtake the Nats as the biggest party at Holyrood when the nation goes to the polls in 2026. Now, political data site Ballot Box Scotland has crunched the numbers to see how the political map would look.

Despite both Labour and the SNP being expected to win 35% of the constituency vote, the concentration of Labour support in the Central Belt will see Anas Sarwar's party emerge with many more constituency MSPs. The whole of Glasgow is expected to turn red, including Ms Sturgeon's Glasgow Southside constituency and Mr Yousaf's Glasgow Pollok seat.

Ms Sturgeon has yet to say if she will stand down at the next election having quit as SNP leader last year. However, she has been making moves towards a post-Holyrood career and the potential for an actual electoral fight may be enough to make the decision for her.

Mr Yousaf could stick it out at Holyrood but may need to rely on the regional list in order to win a seat. Elsewhere, First Minister John Swinney will also face an uncomfortable time with the Tories tipped to score a victory in his backyard.

The Conservatives are forecast to win Jim Fairlie's Perthshire South and Kinross-shire seat, right next to Mr Swinney's own Perthshire North constituency. Other high-profile Nat figures sweating over their seats include Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts), Angus Robertson (Edinburgh Central) and Mairi McAllan (Clydesdale).

Ballot Box Scotland predicts Holyrood will include 47 Labour MSPs compared with 35 for the Nats, down from the 64 they won in 2021. While that leaves Labour short of a majority, it will mean there will no longer be a nationalist majority at Holyrood for the first time since 2012.

The Tories would drop to 24 seats with the Lib Dems on 12 and the Greens on 11.

>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/housing-been-devolved-25-years-32814825

'Housing has been devolved 25 years!' SNP minister slated after blaming Westminster for Scotland declaring a housing emergency

Scottish Government Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville pointed the finger at the UK Government for the SNP being bounced into declaring a housing emergency as homelessness grows in the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh

David Walker

15 MAY 2024

A Scottish Government minister has been slated after she attempted to blame Westminster for SNP plans to declare a housing emergency on Wednesday. The Nationalist Executive is set to hijack a Scottish Labour debate on housing to make this declaration, just six months after refusing to do so.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville laid the blame at the door of the UK Government, and even refused to accept any failings when pressed on Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland. The move comes amid fears that the SNP will lose a first major vote at the Scottish Parliament.

Five local authorities have declared housing emergencies in recent months, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, due to a lack of available homes and growing numbers of people declaring themselves homeless. The issues come amid the government cutting £200m from the affordable housing budget.

But Ms Somerville insisted it was not her fault and pointed to a lack of funding from Whitehall. She said: "I want to make sure we use the debate today to recognise the context which the Scottish Government is working in, for example 9% cut in our capital budget by the UK Government which inevitably has an impact on our plans going forward.

"To see what can do under our devolved powers. I think it's very important we do look at the context, the financial reality we are in, we have seen the cut in our capital budget at the same time as rocketing construction inflation because of Tory mismanagement of the UK economy, and of course building on austerity, that's not blaming someone, that's the context of the situation we are in."

She pointed out that they had boosted the sector with £80m, but this is over the next two years, meaning it will take five years for the cuts to be restored. And Shelter Scotland pointed out that the cut to the capital budget "didn't need to translate into a 26% cut to the housing budget."

Her comments were blasted by the Scottish Tories, with former leader Jackson Carlaw pointing out that "housing has been devolved for 25 years." His colleague Jamie Halcro Johnston added: "An SNP Government that slashed the housing budget by £200m+ has today been forced to declare a housing emergency while desperately trying to wash their hands of any responsibility."

And Murdo Fraser wrote: "SNP rent control plans have led directly to a collapse in investment in the build-to-rent sector. That’s nothing to do with Westminster and entirely down to decisions taken by inept politicians in Edinburgh."

Scottish Tory shadow housing secretary Miles Briggs claimed that the SNP "have had to be dragged kicking and screaming into this long overdue acceptance of reality." He added: "The Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly called for a national housing emergency to be declared, but these calls fell on deaf ears until now. SNP ministers have also ignored the calls from charities, as well as five local councils declaring emergencies in their own areas.

“This situation is entirely of the SNP’s making. Shirley-Anne Somerville has typically tried to blame Westminster but the SNP have received a record block grant and it is them who shamefully slashed £200 million from the affordable housing budget. They - along with Labour - also backed the Greens illogical rent freeze policy which has instead hit tenants with soaring rents and has put the pause on much needed housing developments.

“Finally declaring a housing emergency must be more than lip service from the SNP. We must see ministers now reverse their deeply damaging cuts and take the urgent action required – including bringing thousands of empty properties back into use – to tackle Scotland’s housing crisis.”

The UK Government said: "The Scottish Government receives around 25% more funding per person than equivalent UK government spending in other parts of the UK.”

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>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-declaring-housing-emergency-means-32819492#source=breaking-news

SNP declaring a housing emergency 'means absolutely nothing' as it 'self-congratulates' its own failure

The Scottish Government announced a housing emergency in Scotland, six months after claiming that there wasn't one, but were savaged by opposition parties for refusing to accept any responsibility for it.

David Walker

15 MAY 2024

The Scottish Government officially announcing a housing emergency "means absolutely nothing" sniped rivals as it refused to "take responsibility" for the 10,000 children in temporary accommodation, and the rising numbers of Scots declaring homelessness. Six months ago, SNP ministers refused to accept this was an issue, voting down Scottish Labour.

But now Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confessed at the Scottish Parliament that the country faced a housing crisis and vowed to fix it. Her admission came about due to fears John Swinney was about to fall to a humiliating defeat in his first week in charge, as the Greens were set to vote with Labour.

She said: "It is clear that the Scottish Government has recognised there is a real and genuine challenge within the housing sector and we have done for some time… it is very important that we move past debating how we define the problem and move onto the solutions.

"That's why I am very happy that we do so today and that we all collectively declare there is a housing emergency because the important point is what we then do about it." She then called on all parties to work together on this, while hitting out at the UK Government again.

Her comments closing the debate for the SNP came just minutes after Housing Minister claimed that he was "proud" of his government's record in housebuilding. He said: "We are making available nearly £600 million this year towards the delivery of more unaffordable social homes…this includes a recent boost of £80 million over two years to facilitate the acquisition of existing properties".

He then compared Scotland to England and Wales, pointing out that there has been "40% more affordable homes delivered in Scotland, per head of population than in England and over 70% more than in Wales. But rivals blasted the SNP Executive for refusing to take responsibility for the crisis.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie highlighted that this could have been declared six months ago, and that there was nothing being put forward by the government to fix the issue. He said that the declaration "means absolutely nothing" and added: "The speech the minister made was almost exactly the same speech he made last November except for the words "accepting the housing emergency has been added in, nothing else has changed.

"It was one defence after another in his contribution, and then blaming Westminster, which was exactly what he did last year. The Scottish Government has choices, it could do something different, one of those was a dramatic cut in the more homes budget.

"The problem has been building for years, this isn't going to be turned around overnight but we need to start to reverse the damage, so the acceptance of a housing emergency must mean something but from the Minister I'm afraid it means absolutely nothing."

Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin described the motion from the Scottish Government as "self-congratulatory" and "blames everyone and everything" and that the government must "take responsibility for the fact there are 10,000 children in temporary accommodation, that not enough homes are being built, that far too many homes are lying empty, and to start to come up with solutions for that."

Scottish Conservatives shadow housing secretary Miles Briggs claimed the government has had to be "kicked dragging and screaming" to accept there is a housing emergency in Scotland. He added: "We must see ministers act and urgently outline to Parliament, what will change across all government portfolios and what fresh leadership will actually be brought to this housing emergency.

"Scottish ministers need to bring forward an urgent housing emergency plan. That is why I hope we will not just see this debate, but cross party talks."

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/brute-ex-cop-jailed-seven-32819301

Brute ex cop jailed for seven years after horror campaign of sexual and physical abuse

Christopher Wylie was sentenced for offences that took place in the Sutherland area between 2019 and 2021

Iona Young

15 MAY 2024

A disgraced former Highlands cop has been jailed for a catalogue of abuse and sexual offences spanning three years.

Christopher Wylie appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on May 15.

The 47-year-old was jailed for several abusive and sexual offences that took place in the Sutherland area of the Scottish Highlands between April 2019 and December 2021.

Wylie throttled a woman and lunged at her while he was in possession of a knife during abusive conduct that spanned a 20 month period.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: "Such behaviour is bound to attract a significant period of imprisonment."

Judge Michael O'Grady KC said Wylie carried out a course of conduct directed at the woman that was appalling, sustained and humiliating.

Wylie, who joined the police in 2009 and whose career in the force lasted about 10 years, had sex with the woman without her consent and offered another man intercourse with her in return for drugs.

He denied the offence at an earlier trial at the High Court in Inverness but was found guilty by the verdict of the jury.

Defence counsel Brian McConnachie KC said that Wylie was assessed as posing a low level of rsik of further offending.

He said that during his time in custody he has been transferred from Inverness jail to prison in Dumfries and added: "Given his previous employment as a police officer perhaps his period in custody will be more difficult for him than an ordinary person."

After the trial, Detective Constable Emma Ellis said: “I hope this sentence provides some measure of closure for his victim.

“Sexual abuse has no place in our communities and we would encourage anyone who is experiencing abuse, or know someone who is, to get in touch. We will take action no matter the timescale."

She added: “Anyone wishing to report this kind of crime can call Police Scotland directly on 101, or via our partner agencies. Reports will be robustly investigated.”

>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-seen-basket-case-global-32807442

Scotland seen as 'basket case' by global investors thanks to the SNP as billionaire brothers slate John Swinney

The Easdale brothers blasted the Scottish Government for pursuing 'financially illiterate policies' which has damaged the country's standing worldwide, including the push for independence.

David Walker

14 MAY 2024

John Swinney and the SNP have been blasted by Scotland's billionaire brothers who called into question the new First Minister's claims that he will "dedicate every fibre" to delivering economic growth for the country. The Easdales claimed that global investors regard Scotland as a "basket case" due to the nationalists pursuing "financially illiterate policies."

The pair, who run bus companies McGills, were particularly scathing about decision-making in Glasgow, highlighting a number of taxpayer-funded "vanity projects" which deserve to be scrapped. These include nationalising the bus network in the region, and the £15bn Clyde Metro initiative, with both potentially having a negative impact on the Easdales business.

Both projects are expected to cost billions of pounds over the next decade and make public transport in Glasgow and the surrounding areas easier. But the Metro project has been scheduled for years with barely any progress being made, with plans to link Glasgow Airport to the city centre already scrapped.

Mr Swinney blamed the UK Government for Scotland suffering a cost-of-living crisis last week in his first few interviews as First Minister, but he has been told to look closer to home for blame. Sandy Easdale said: "Mr Swinney said UK government policies were preventing the country from realising its full potential. We feel he needs to look closer to home. Try Glasgow for a start."

The Easdales claimed they had spoken to one of Europe's leading place branding consultants to ask how the government and local authority were doing attracting inward investment, and were told that there were key aspects that were looked at: political stability, high taxes, competence of local government and roads, street lighting and sewers.

They insisted that the consultants claimed that the push for independence and the current state of Glasgow would deter global investors. James Easdale said: "What financial investors are going to commit to £15bn which would probably end up as double that bearing in mind Scotland’s track record? Also, when they sit in their European offices and hear John Swinney saying that Scotland will be independent in five years, that raises so many red flags.”

Sandy Easdale added: “Glaswegians and folks in the neighbouring areas must wonder where all the money is coming from for these vanity projects. They need after-hours doctors and access to emergency hospital treatment, never mind getting the potholes fixed and the rat infestations cleared out.”

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The brothers also called into question the claims that Scotland's approach to attracting inward investment was paying off, following a report which showed that in 2021/22, 7,780 jobs were created or protected through this. Sandy Easdale said: "However, here’s the kick in the teeth. 98% of these jobs pay the real living wage of £19,305. I am not dismissing these jobs but come on, that’s no way to build a world-class economy. And when you see the phrase 'jobs were protected,' that simply means that an incentive was paid to current investors not to get rid of anybody."

The brothers concluded: “Glasgow and the rest Scotland cannot truly move ahead until financially realistic policies are adopted, taxation is normalised with the rest of the UK and John Swinney parks the independence debate for a generation. Otherwise, the global investment community will continue to regard Scotland, and in particular the west, as a basket case.”

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: "Creating conditions that increase the attractiveness of public transport and support more people to travel sustainably in Glasgow is a priority for the council. Our new transport strategy has a substantial focus on improving bus travel, as a switch to more sustainable forms of transport is essential in the fight against climate change, whilst fewer car journeys can reduce congestion and increase the amenity of our city for everyone

“We have previously committed to exploring the bus governance powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 as set out in our Bus Governance Routemap - a move which also lends support to Clyde Metro as a transformational mass transit system, following its confirmation by the Scottish Government as a key priority for future transport investment.”

On inward investment, she added: “Industry experts recently named Glasgow Europe’s number one large city for attracting overseas investment – so it is hard to understand the reasoning behind this statement. Recent years have seen the emergence of significant sectors in technology, the green economy, the space industry, the creative economy, and advanced manufacturing - and these will all help to drive Glasgow's future growth and high-skilled jobs.

“Our Invest Glasgow team has helped attract overseas investment which has brought over 6,000 jobs in the past five years and a new investment strategy for Glasgow was launched last Autumn, responding to the changes in the investment landscape, impacted by Brexit and the pandemic. Taken with our recent ranking as the world's 61st best city for global investment attractiveness, Glasgow can take real encouragement from how the world increasingly sees us."

A Stratchclyde Partnership Transport spokeswoman added: "The Clyde Metro programme is a real opportunity to deliver a step-change in multi modal public transport across the greater Glasgow region, making the west of Scotland a well-connected place with active, liveable communities and accessible, vibrant centres facilitated by high quality, sustainable and low carbon transport shaped by the needs for all.

"The Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy which sets out plans for bus franchising, is a bold ambitious plan aiming to deliver real opportunities for growth in our region as part of this multi modal network. Bus Franchising is a proven model for delivering local bus services, improving the network to achieve passenger growth, providing better accessibility for all, and delivers wider public policy outcomes.

"We are fully aware of the challenges we face and establishing both of these programmes will take time, investment, and a commitment from Government and leaders across many sectors to deliver but this is a time for ambition and for transformation. Doing nothing and hoping the status quo will continue is simply not an option.”

Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “Despite the challenging backdrop of Brexit and Covid, the Scottish economy continues to make positive progress in comparison to the UK as a whole, with GDP growth per person of 10.8% in Scotland since 2007, compared to 5.6% in the UK.

“Scotland is open for business and the Scottish Government is committed to working hand-in-hand across sectors, and with public and private partners, to maximise the huge economic opportunities that lie ahead.

“This includes Glasgow, where we continue to invest through a series of targeted programmes. These include the City Region Deal, supported by £520 million from Scottish Government, and more recently, the establishment of Glasgow City Region as one of Scotland’s first Investment Zones, designed to deliver economic growth, high quality, well-paid jobs, and future opportunities for local people.”

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/dorothy-bain-insists-shares-collective-32827707

Dorothy Bain insists she 'shares collective position' of SNP ministers in rare Holyrood appearance

The Lord Advocate finally appeared in front of MSPs at the Scottish Parliament to answer questions about the Post Office Horizon scandal and insisted it was never her position to oppose mass exoneration of victims.

David Walker

16 MAY 2024

Scotland's Lord Advocate has insisted that she "shares the collective position" of SNP ministers as she made a rare appearance at Holyrood to answer questions from MSPs. Dorothy Bain was called on to give evidence about the Crown Office's role in the Horizon Post Office scandal.

She spoke days after a new emergency bill was introduced at the Scottish Parliament which will see a mass exoneration of Scots sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted due to faulty Horizon evidence. The Scottish Government became embroiled in a cross-border row after Westminster declined to legislate for them, citing the separate legal systems.

Ms Bain's previous public comments on the scandal also called into question whether she backed a blanket exoneration of victims which is what the new legislation will do. But she rejected that suggestion on Thursday, pointing out that as a member of the government cabinet she needs to support their policies.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay welcomed the fact she had finally been hauled in front of MSPs but asked her a number of questions about the scandal. He said: "In her statement, the Lord Advocate said that she has not previously opposed mass exoneration as this bill proposes.

"Now that was the impression given by her previous statement in January, so I'd like to ask her to use this opportunity to be clear whether or not she agrees with her cabinet colleagues that mass exoneration is the right thing to do. It's also regrettable that the SNP has sought to turn this into yet another excuse to pick a constitutional fight with UK ministers.

"In their own words, the Scottish Government now recognises the need for standalone Scottish legislation. It's also regrettable that the Scottish Government now suggest that the passing of this bill can only happen after the UK law has passed, I'd urge the Scottish Government to have confidence in this parliament to commit to passing this legislation before summer, we have the power to do so."

Ms Bain pointed out that the government's bill reflects their position and that "like all ministers I share that collective position." She claimed that her comments previously "were taken out of context" as she was instead stating that she did not have the powers to grant a blanket exoneration.

She also gave an update on the current position on Scottish Horizon cases, with six being quashed so far, two currently before the Appeal Court and 10 more before the Scottish Criminal Cases Review system. She also announced that she had stripped the Post Office of its status as a specialist reporting agency "because of its fundamental and sustained failures" and added that it was "not fit to be a specialist reporting agency" meaning it can now no longer able to investigate and report allegations to the Crown."

And Ms Bain also addressed complaints that the Crown Office continued to convict using faulty Horizon evidence after a summit in 2013 where they were told about issues with it. She confirmed four cases have been identified which took place between 2013 and 2015 and involved Horizon data and guilty pleas, but blamed the Post Office for this.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Findlay insisted that the Lord Advocate still had questions to answer. He said: "Following multiple Scottish Conservative requests, the Lord Advocate rightly returned to parliament, but many questions remain unanswered. We still don’t know whether or not she believes in the legislation’s blanket exoneration of Horizon victims.

“Dithering SNP ministers also need to stop using the UK legislation as a phoney excuse to delay the Scottish bill. They need to get on with it, for the sake of the Post Office victims.

“Former Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland was in charge during this mass miscarriage of justice and it is only right that he should also come to parliament.”

>>20878724

>>20849322

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/soft-touch-justice-snp-want-32826742

'Soft-touch justice' SNP set to release up to 500 criminals from jail early to ease overcrowding

The Scottish Government's Justice Secretary Angela Constance will ask MSPs to vote on releasing prisoners early after the number of cons exploded to almost record highs in prison.

David Walker

16 MAY 2024

The Scottish Government has outlined plans to release up to 500 criminals from prison early in a bid to solve "dangerous" overcrowding in jails. Justice Secretary Angela Constance will consult MSPs on this in the next two weeks, with the freeing of cons scheduled for after this.

And she also put forward two more "soft-touch" justice solutions to help deal with a bloated prison estate, with the number of people locked up at the second highest level on record. The population has risen sharply, from 7,948 on 18 March to 8,348 this morning.

MSPs will get the final say on whether criminals can be released into the public early, but this vote is expected to go the way of the minority SNP Government. Dangerous long-term prisoners could also be allowed automatic early release despite this being abolished almost 10 years ago.

It means that the SNP are using a brand new power it has created for itself through its Bail and Release from Custody Act, with this coming into force on May 26. Ms Constance claimed that she "hoped this would never need to be used."

She admitted that up to 500 cons would be freed early, with those serving under four years eligible, except for individuals who are behind bars due to domestic abuse or sexual offences. It is the second time this will happen, with a mass release also occurring during the Covid pandemic.

A total of 348 criminals were let out early, but almost half of them committed crimes afterwards. The SNP minister also wants to increase the period of time cons can spend on release under licence conditions. She told MSPs: "And be in no doubt, that is what we are facing. If our prisons are to remain functional and able to house the most dangerous offenders, we have no choice but to take urgent action to reduce pressure on the estate.

"On 26 May, we will bring into force section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, which was scrutinised by Parliament last year and provides Ministers with a power to release prisoners in emergency situations. My hope was that this would never need to be used. However, as things stand today, my view is that we have reached the threshold for taking emergency action.

"The sudden and sharp rise over recent weeks, combined with an already high population, has significantly increased the risk to the health, safety and welfare of both prisoners and SPS staff, as well as to the security and good order of the prison estate. Serious concerns have been formally raised to me by the Chief Executive of SPS, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, and the Prison Governors Association.

"If the legal test for use of emergency release is satisfied when the provisions come into force on 26 May, I intend to bring forward a proposal for Parliament’s consideration as soon as possible within the following two weeks. Members will have the opportunity to scrutinise and debate the approach and, in this instance, we will not release a single prisoner without Parliament’s consent. I also want to work with Parliament to expedite that process."

All those released would be serving sentences of under four years, with no one serving jail time for sexual offences or domestic abuse being let out early, with a governor veto also available. She added: "This is not a decision I take lightly and I appreciate the concerns it will raise. But we must ensure the safety and wellbeing of SPS staff and those in their care, and that our prisons continue to function effectively to accommodate those who pose the greatest risk of harm."

But critics urged the government to ensure they protect the public safety, and that this doesn't become another "soft touch approach to justice." Scottish Tory justice spokeswoman Sharon Dowey said: "It is crucial that you ensure that individuals released from prison do not pose a risk to the public.

"And therefore if the government is going down this path they must ensure it's done in a way that public safety is not at risk, caution must be taken and safety checks must be carried out. It's not the time for the SNP to follow their soft-touch approach to justice." She also called on Ms Constance to be clear to the public what the criminals had been in jail for and how many are released.

It's probably fuck all to do with overcrowding in prisons, they'll be letting people out in the hope they don't sue for being imprisoned by an illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional government/judiciary… and it's all going to come out sooner, rather than later.

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