/qnotables/ - ===Q Notables===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22150171 (120226ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / More than 50 children were raped or subjected to vile sex abuse by paedophile monks on UK holy island, damning report reveals

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apologies, should be here>>>/qresearch/22077019

>>277748

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The Caldey Island Survivors Campaign insists other monks, as well as Father Thaddeus, were responsible for the abuse of 54 victims who have come forward.

The 540-acre island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Tenby.

Father Jan Rossey, the new Abbot of Caldey Abbey who commissioned the review, has insisted he is committed to fostering openness and transparency.

He was contacted for comment.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22172391 (160216ZDEC24) Notable: Final Law and Disorder Bun Part Two / Judges, coroners and magistrates have been rapped for sleeping in court, sending a love letter and deleting messages from a 'drug dealer' in dozens of disciplinaries since 2022

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14176589/Judges-coroners-magistrates-reprimanded-bad-behaviour.html

Judges, coroners and magistrates have been rapped for sleeping in court, sending a love letter and deleting messages from a 'drug dealer' in dozens of disciplinaries since 2022

FRANKIE ELLIOTT

10 December 2024

Dozens of judges, coroners and magistrates have been rapped for bad behaviour since 2022 - including courtroom rants, dozing off and committing crime.

One hundred and forty-nine JPs and judges have been reprimanded for breaking strict judicial conduct rules in the last two years.

An audit of figures revealed 60 landed in the Judicial Complaints Investigation Office disciplinary dock in 2024 - with 56 cases in 2023 and 33 in 2022.

They include judicial figures drinking on the job, being caught speeding and bullying barristers.

In one case, a high court judge who sent a love letter to a 'vulnerable' junior staff member was reprimanded for 'serious misconduct'.

Mr Justice Marcus Smith wrote a handwritten note that 'he loved the young woman and wanted to know her feelings in return', the JCIO said.

The senior judge claimed he had not intended to take advantage of the young woman but had sought support.

And last year, a crown court judge was accused of deleting messages from an alleged drug dealer to 'judge Andy'.

Andrew Easteal, 58, was sacked after judicial investigators said he 'deliberately deleted data in the knowledge that it was of interest to police officers carrying out a criminal investigation'.

Another judge was sanctioned after liking a barrister's pro-Palestine social media post on LinkedIn.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram claimed he liked the 'repulsive' post 'inadvertently'.

It read: 'Free Free Palestine ... Israel, you can run, you can bomb but you cannot hide — justice will be coming for you.'

A coroner was sanctioned after being overheard describing a lawyer's arguments as 'b***ks'.

Shropshire assistant coroner Heath Westerman was formally warned over the slur.

Mr Westerman said he used the term 'b***ks' due to frustration caused by a 'poor submission' by the complainant's lawyer.

Circuit judge Michael Slater was handed 'formal advice for misconduct' after nodding off during a case.

Deputy district judge Sarah Ellis was sanctioned after being caught speeding on an A-road.

She was convicted and handed six penalty points and told to pay nearly £1,000 in fines and costs .

The JCIO said Ellis was 'substantially above the speed limit' but took into account her apology.

Since 2020, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO), part of the Ministry of Justice, received more than 4,200 complaints from the public against members of the judiciary.

The public made 1,620 complaints about members of the judiciary in 2022-23 and 1.817 in 2021-22.

Over the past decade, more than 19,000 complaints about judges' behaviour have been recorded.

Investigations by the JCIO have led to court officials being sacked, reprimanded, and forced to resign for charges including drink-driving, being drunk in court and taking too long to produce a judgment.

The JCIO ruled the Lincoln judge's conduct was so serious that he 'should be removed from office'.

Employment judge Pauline Hughes was given a formal warning after being caught drinking on the job.

She sank alcohol in her chambers during a break in a case in August 2023.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22172399 (160217ZDEC24) Notable: Final Law and Disorder Bun Part Two / Judges, coroners and magistrates have been rapped for sleeping in court, sending a love letter and deleting messages from a 'drug dealer' in dozens of disciplinaries since 2022

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>>277752

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The hearing was halted when colleagues in Birmingham noticed she appeared intoxicated.

And a senior Court of Appeal judge was warned after behaving in a 'rude and hostile' manner to barristers that amounted to 'judicial bullying'.

Lord Justice Clive Lewis was one of two judges who ruled in 2022 that the Conservative government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was lawful.

Most investigations stemmed from magistrates not meeting minimum sitting requirements.

A spokesman for the JCIO said: 'With around 22,000 judicial office-holders in post, misconduct remains rare.'

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22175073 (161553ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Child abuse inquiry chair failed to disclose links to Edinburgh private schools

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>>277501

>>277693

>>277516

https://www.scotsman.com/education/child-abuse-inquiry-chair-failed-to-disclose-links-to-edinburgh-private-schools-4909821

Child abuse inquiry chair failed to disclose links to Edinburgh private schools

Calum Ross

15th Dec 2024

Abuse survivors claim the family connections represent a ‘conflict of interest’

The chairwoman of the long-running Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry failed to declare family links to two Edinburgh private schools she was investigating, it has emerged.

Lady Smith, who was appointed inquiry chairwoman in 2016, did not disclose to Scottish ministers that her husband went to Fettes College and one of her children had been a day pupil at Edinburgh Academy.

The retired judge has heard evidence of abuse at both schools during the inquiry’s hearings.

A spokesman for the inquiry told The Sunday Times that Lady Smith had not been obliged to declare her family connections.

However, the newspaper reported that more than 70 survivors who attended Fettes, Edinburgh Academy, other independent schools and state and charity-run residential homes, had now urged First Minister John Swinney to intervene.

Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative leader, said the loss of confidence among victims made it "increasingly difficult to see how she can continue in the role".

Giles Moffat, the founder of the Edinburgh Academy Survivors group, told The Sunday Times that Lady Smith's position was "completely untenable".

He said: "Lady Smith's connections to these schools constitute a clear and compromising conflict of interest.

"The correct course of action would have been to immediately declare them and recuse herself, but that did not happen."

However, opinion is divided, with In Care Abuse Survivors (Incas), which campaigned for 12 years for an inquiry to be established, supporting Lady Smith and urging her to remain in post.

Helen Holland, its spokeswoman, said: "It would be devastating for the hundreds of survivors who have participated in this inquiry and have spoken of their positive experiences of being believed and treated with empathy, dignity and respect by the full inquiry team for Lady Smith to be asked to step down as chair.”

In a letter to survivors, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed that Lady Smith had not alerted ministers to any potential conflict of interest.

A spokesman for the inquiry said: "The legislation governing the appointment of an inquiry chair does not require a candidate to declare personal information unless directly relevant.

“Ministers, who are responsible for the selection process, must be satisfied that a candidate does not have a direct interest in the matters to which the inquiry relates or a close association with a person who has a particularly significant interest in the inquiry such as is liable to affect the impartiality the role requires.

"However, in the interests of transparency, and in light of incorrect information that has been put into the public domain, we can confirm the following: Lady Smith attended a state school in England. Her husband attended a boarding school in Scotland (Fettes College) and has had no continuing relationship with the school or connections with it since he left the school over 50 years ago.

"One of her children was a day pupil at Edinburgh Academy and also has had no continuing relation with the school or connections with the school since leaving it over 20 years ago."

The spokesman added: "Lady Smith has chaired the inquiry for over eight years. It is incorrect to suggest that the work of the inquiry or its findings are biased. All of Lady Smith's case study findings are based on the wide range of evidence heard from witnesses and from documentary sources.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22175086 (161554ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Child abuse inquiry chair failed to disclose links to Edinburgh private schools

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>>277754

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"When she became a Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, a judge of both the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary, Lady Smith swore a judicial oath of impartiality.

"She has always taken this responsibility very seriously throughout her judicial career and in all her work as chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry."

The Scottish Government said it believed there was "no material conflict of interest".

Fettes College and Edinburgh Academy have each issued unreserved apologies to individuals who experienced abuse at their schools in previous decades.

The Scotsman visited Edinburgh Academy earlier this year to hear how the school had been working with survivors, in response to their testimony.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22176814 (162129ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Ex-BBC journalist jailed for child sex offences

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>>>/qresearch/22077019

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cje9xjywjdwo

Ex-BBC journalist jailed for child sex offences

Callum May

9 December 2024

A former BBC journalist has been jailed for eight years for a string of child sexual abuse offences.

Duncan Bartlett, 52, was jailed at Wood Green Crown Court in north London after admitting paying money to watch live streams of children being sexually exploited.

He had pleaded guilty to 35 offences at an earlier hearing on 30 August.

The Metropolitan Police said detectives seized electronic devices from Bartlett and recovered nearly 6,000 indecent images of children.

They also found evidence he made payments to people in the Philippines who would arrange live films of children being sexually exploited for Bartlett to watch.

Bartlett - who worked as a BBC journalist for 14 years until 2015 - was arrested in September 2021.

He spent time as a correspondent in Tokyo and presented "World Business Report" on the BBC World Service.

Bartlett, from central London, continued working as a researcher and expert in China at London's SOAS university until after his guilty plea.

He appears not to have told his employer about his offending and the university did not discover the details of the case until today.

A spokeswoman for SOAS confirmed Bartlett was a research associate and contractor at the London university's China Institute between 1 January 2021 and 30 September 2024.

She said: "Although not a permanent member of staff or in a student-facing role, he was paid as a contractor to produce a series of podcasts about China, producing his last edition in September 2024.

"Neither SOAS nor the SOAS China Institute were aware of any legal proceedings before we were contacted by the media about this case today."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22181947 (171915ZDEC24) Notable: Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun / MSPs vote to spend £2m on free buses for asylum seekers despite Tory calls to stop 'woke' spending

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/msps-vote-spend-2m-free-34296798

MSPs vote to spend £2m on free buses for asylum seekers despite Tory calls to stop 'woke' spending

The Scottish Tories' attempts to axe plans to spend £2m of taxpayer cash on free buses for asylum seekers instead of on winter fuel payments for hard-pressed pensioners were defeated by 'left-wing' parties at Holyrood.

David Walker

11 DEC 2024

MSPs at the Scottish Parliament rejected calls by the Scottish Tories to axe plans to spend £2m on free bus travel for asylum seekers. The SNP reacted angrily towards attempts by Russell Findlay's party to instead utilise that money for winter fuel payments for struggling pensioners.

An ill-tempered debate at Holyrood took place on Wednesday where a list of John Swinney's "woke" waste in the budget was listed as MSPs were urged to back calls to cut tax for hard-working Scots instead. But the Nats were backed by the other parties who supported the budget in principle, including a huge rise in benefits spending, with the "left-wing" consensus winning out.

Scottish Tory Finance Secretary Craig Hoy listed ways to save money which could go towards making sure Scots pay the same income tax as those south of the border. He said: "Let's look at what SNP waste looks like in this Budget alone. £60 million to the woke equalities and human rights portfolio.

“£50m to Ferguson Marine this year, even though the ferries were meant to be completed two years ago. Up to £58m on a national care service that even its own councils now do not support. £8m on baby boxes that many new parents don't want, don't need, and don't use.

“£5.5m on fake foreign embassies. £12.8m on a foreign aid budget although foreign aid is reserved. £5.5m on external affairs policy and advice, and £2m for a Scottish Land Commission crammed full of SNP cronies.”

It led to criticism from Ms Robison who accused the Tories of attempting to reach out to Reform voters by parroting Nigel Farage talking points. She said that the scale of the cuts they were calling for “would have made Scrooge blush” and added “There is a call for tax cuts, which the Tories own estimate says will slash public investment by £1 billion.

She went on to accuse the Conservatives of having tried to open "a new front in Russell Findlay’s bargain basement attempt at starting a culture war” by targeting babies. She said: "Russell Findlay clearly thinks that babies are a left-wing cabal living on handouts who have had it too good for too long. And now he wants to scrap the baby box. It appears that all the work to try and stop being the ‘nasty party’ might have been in vain.”

Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson called for more support for asylum seekers and insisted that there was no need for "populism" in Scottish politics and that politicians must "reject this." It was pointed out that his UK party ruled out introducing similar legislation.

Scottish Labour Finance Spokesman Michael Marra said that the Tories were “seeking to pit one vulnerable group against another in our society" and that this "is simply unacceptable." Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the motion was “thoroughly depressing”.

Speaking after the debate Mr Hoy highlighted that the SNP budget will mean "Scots will still be paying more but getting less in return and even shamelessly tried to sell a tax cut, when it is only worth £1 a month to most taxpayers." He added: "Our common sense tax proposals would have delivered a much-needed tax cut to workers, businesses and would-be homeowners the SNP rejected them straight away.

“Along with the other left-wing parties in Holyrood, they prefer not to give families and businesses more freedom over what they earn or even try and deliver best value for taxpayers. At a time when they have shamelessly cut winter fuel payments for pensioners, they are instead squandering £2 million on free bus passes for asylum seekers.

“John Swinney and the SNP are wedded to the same failed out-of-touch policies that have let Scotland down over the last 17 years and taxpayers across Scotland are continuing to pay a heavy price.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22182139 (171958ZDEC24) Notable: Final Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part Two / 'Warped' SNP to spend more on asylum seekers than pensioners amid free bus row

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>>277759

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/warped-snp-spend-more-asylum-34288470

'Warped' SNP to spend more on asylum seekers than pensioners amid free bus row

Exclusive: The Scottish Tories are calling on the Scottish Government to ditch £2m plans to offer asylum seekers free bus travel, pointing out more will be spent on this per head than pensioners next year.

David Walker

11 DEC 2024

The SNP have been accused of having "warped priorities" as it plans to spend £2m of taxpayer cash on free buses for asylum seekers. New research by the Scottish Tories revealed that the Scottish Government plans to spend more per head on asylum seekers than struggling pensioners.

At Holyrood on Wednesday the party will attempt to persuade MSPs to stop the Nat Executive from implementing the new policy which was announced at the Budget. It was originally a Scottish Greens idea which was scrapped by John Swinney when he took office.

The £2m scheme will benefit about 3,900 asylum seekers, meaning a cost of £500 per person. According to a freedom of information request, the Scottish Government said: "The £2 million pilot scheme was intended to provide evidence on nationwide delivery, costs and demand and to inform future progression of policy. The pilot scheme was based on an estimate of 3,900 eligible individuals.

It was also pointed out that a third of asylum seekers are already eligible for free bus travel due to being under 22, older than 60 or having a disability. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop confirmed this earlier this year when she set out reasons why it was being scrapped.

She said: "We remain fully committed to ensuring that as many of the estimated one in three people seeking asylum who are already eligible for free bus travel via our existing national concessionary travel scheme are able to access that. People seeking asylum in Scotland who are under 22, are 60 or over or have an eligible disability are already entitled to concessionary travel."

While this money is splashed on the scheme, over 900,000 pensioners will freeze this year due to the winter fuel payment only going to those on pension benefits. It is being partially brought back next year, with payments of £100 to £300 being handed out depending on their household income.

The Scottish Tories highlighted the £200 discrepancy between pensioners and asylum seekers and urged the SNP to u-turn once again. Shadow Transport Secretary Sue Webber told the Scottish Daily Express: "This sums up the SNP’s warped priorities. There is simply no justification for them to spend this amount dishing out free bus passes to asylum seekers when pensioners are choosing between heating and eating this winter.

“The public will be appalled that £200 more on average is being spent on this free bus scheme rather than doing the right thing and reinstating winter fuel payments for pensioners. That is why we’re forcing a vote on this issue today in Parliament. I urge the left-wing parties at Holyrood to show some common sense for once and tell the SNP to scrap this scheme.”

She will lead a debate at the parliament on Wednesday about the issue during the Scottish Tory party business time. The Scottish Greens attacked the Conservatives for their stance, with Maggie Chapman accusing them of "using the rights of people seeking asylum as a political football”.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Extending free bus travel to people seeking asylum would support those who receive very limited support for living costs from the UK Government while waiting for an asylum decision, enabling them to access essential services and to contribute to their local community.

“This is set out as part of the 25/26 Scottish Budget which delivers record investment to improve our NHS, provides universal winter heating support for pensioners, puts in place the mechanism to end the impact of the two-child cap and increases investment in housing to deliver at least 8,000 new homes.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22207624 (220206ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Abuse survivor missing after failed anonymity bid

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>>>/qresearch/22077019

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8ngdzxd8eo

Abuse survivor missing after failed anonymity bid

20 December 2024

An abuse survivor, who previously waived his right to anonymity, has been reported missing after an inquiry chair ruled his decision could not be reversed.

Kevin Sutherland, 33, gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) in 2022.

But last week Mr Sutherland was told that he had failed in a bid to retrospectively remove his name from his harrowing testimony, which was published online.

An inquiry spokesman said it was aware of a "possible tragic incident".

The alarm was raised at 01:50 on Thursday after Mr Sutherland posted a lengthy "final announcement" on social media.

He wrote: "The amount of red flags that have been ignored by absolutely everyone to allow me to get to this final point is unforgivable."

Police Scotland confirmed officers were continuing to conduct a search of the River Forth, near the Queensferry Crossing.

The RNLI said lifeboats from Kinghorn and Queensferry joined the search but were stood down at 05:00 on Thursday.

As a child and teenager Mr Sutherland spent time in care facilities in Edinburgh, Musselburgh in East Lothian and Paisley in Renfrewshire.

In the impact section of his 60-page inquiry statement, he said: "There has been no aftercare whatsoever and I'm surprised I'm still even alive after the hell that whole system has put me through."

Giles Moffatt, co-founder of an abuse survivors' group, said he was first contacted by Mr Sutherland via WhatsApp on 27 November.

The message stated that he was having trouble trying to get his name anonymised.

Mr Moffatt said: "The nub of the problem was that he had signed a waiver of anonymity originally and the waiver that he signed did not point out that his name would appear very quickly in a search online."

He added that Mr Sutherland was "horrified" to find his statement after a Google search.

Mr Moffatt also told BBC Scotland News that the inquiry waiver had since been changed to warn that an evidence transcript "may appear prominently in online searches".

He said Mr Sutherland had been "in distress" about the situation for a number of months and confirmed the latest refusal from the inquiry came on Monday.

Mr Moffatt then received a final WhatsApp message from Mr Sutherland at 01:34 on Thursday.

He said: "His message was very much: 'Don't let my life be in vain. Please ensure that people get to hear my story because I am not being listened to by this inquiry."

A spokesperson for the inquiry said: "We have been made aware of a possible tragic incident involving an individual who has been engaging with the inquiry.

"Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.

"In the interests of transparency, SCAI will commission an independent review as soon as possible to consider all aspects of its interactions with the individual."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22207979 (220328ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Fears grow for missing abuse survivor after failed anonymity fight

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>>277766

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14215163/Fears-grow-missing-abuse-survivor-failed-anonymity-fight.html

Fears grow for missing abuse survivor after failed anonymity fight

GAVIN MADELEY AND GRAHAM GRANT

20 December 2024

An abuse survivor who gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been reported missing after losing a bid to have his name removed from his harrowing testimony.

Kevin Sutherland, 33, waived his right to anonymity when he gave evidence to the SCAI in 2022.

But despite initially agreeing to allow his details to be made public, Mr Sutherland was reportedly deeply upset after last week being told he had failed in a bid to have his name retrospectively removed from his statement, which was published online.

It has now emerged that concerns were raised for Mr Sutherland’s safety at 1.50am yesterday(THU) after he posted a lengthy ‘final announcement’ on social media.

In it, he wrote: ‘The amount of red flags that have been ignored by absolutely everyone to allow me to get to this final point is unforgivable.’

Police Scotland yesterday confirmed that officers were continuing to conduct a search of the River Forth, near the Queensferry Crossing.

The RNLI said lifeboats from Kinghorn and Queensferry joined the search but were stood down at 5am yesterday.

The inquiry confirmed it had been ‘made aware of a possible tragic incident’.

As a child and teenager, Mr Sutherland spent time in care facilities in Edinburgh, Musselburgh, East Lothian and Paisley, Renfrewshire.

In the impact section of his 60-page inquiry statement, he said: ‘There has been no aftercare whatsoever and I’m surprised I’m still even alive after the hell that whole system has put me through.’

Giles Moffatt, co-founder of an abuse survivors’ group, said he was first contacted by Mr Sutherland via WhatsApp on November 27. The message stated that he was having trouble trying to get his name anonymised.

Mr Moffatt said: ‘The nub of the problem was that he had signed a waiver of anonymity originally and the waiver that he signed did not point out that his name would appear very quickly in a search online.’

He added that Mr Sutherland was ‘horrified’ to find his statement after a Google search.

Mr Moffatt also told BBC Scotland News that the inquiry waiver had since been changed to warn that an evidence transcript ‘may appear prominently in online searches’.

He said Mr Sutherland had been ‘in distress’ about the situation for a number of months and confirmed the latest refusal from the inquiry came on Monday.

Mr Moffatt then received a final WhatsApp message from Mr Sutherland at 1.34am on Thursday.

He said: ‘His message was very much, “Don’t let my life be in vain. Please ensure that people get to hear my story because I am not being listened to by this inquiry”.’

A spokesman for the inquiry said: ‘We have been made aware of a possible tragic incident involving an individual who has been engaging with the Inquiry.

‘Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.

‘In the interests of transparency, SCAI will commission an independent review as soon as possible to consider all aspects of its interactions with the individual.’

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22211584 (221923ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Sex abuse victim feared to have taken own life after fight for anonymity at abuse inquiry

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>>277766

>>277768

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sex-abuse-victim-feared-taken-34354218

Sex abuse victim feared to have taken own life after fight for anonymity at abuse inquiry

Kevin Sutherland posted a goodbye message on social media and said the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry had failed him.

Marcello Mega

20 DEC 2024

A sex abuse victim is believed to have taken his own life after his request for anonymity from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was refused.

Kevin Sutherland posted a farewell message on social media yesterday, claiming the inquiry had failed him.

He had waived his anonymity but changed his mind when he realised his evidence could be seen online in perpetuity.

Kevin, who told how he was sexually abused and how that led him to becoming a sex worker, asked for his name to be redacted or anonymised, but was told the request had been refused by Lady Smith.

In a devastating final social media message, Kevin, 34, wrote: “FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT! If you’re reading this, it means I have DIED.

“The amount of red flags that have been ignored by absolutely everyone to allow me to get to this final point is unforgivable.”

Police said yesterday searches were ongoing in an area of the River Forth after they were alerted about 1.50am.

Kevin’s sister, Melanie Watson, said: “We are so unbelievably heartbroken.”

Kevin’s GP, Dr Ross Dinwoodie, wrote to the SCAI in April to support Kevin’s feelings of distress about the publication of his name on the website.

The doctor outlined his history of abuse and mental illness and supported his request to anonymise or remove his statement. Kevin’s request was refused.

In response to the last plea made by Kevin to remove his name for the SCAI website, one of the inquiry team wrote: “Lady Smith is not able to remove your statement from the inquiry website or anonymise you…

“I understand that this may be disappointing for you.”

In a series of social media posts, Kevin lashed out at the inquiry and chair Lady Smith.

Survivors’ groups and politicians demanded this month she step down after eight years as chair.

They claimed she had not been fair and impartial, showing bias towards the private boarding schools under scrutiny, an allegation the inquiry denied robustly.

Giles Moffat, spokesman for the survivors’ group that started among old pupils of his old school, Edinburgh Academy, but has now expanded considerably, was one of 75 signatories demanding she go.

He said: “Kevin contacted me in November, looking for advice. He was distressed about Lady Smith’s constant refusal to anonymise his statement.

“ SCAI informed him that he had signed a waiver of anonymity. He said the waiver he was shown did not mention that his statement would be prominent on web search engines.

“When Kevin’s statement appeared online, he realised that anonymity would have been better for him.

“SCAI refused to change his name.Lady Smith took the opportunity to suggest some redactions. She suggested removing some reference to police officers and a procurator fiscal who had been Kevin’s clients when he was a male escort.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22211587 (221924ZDEC24) Notable: Final Abuse Bun / Sex abuse victim feared to have taken own life after fight for anonymity at abuse inquiry

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>>277769

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“Lady Smith and her team failed catastrophically to pick up on a number of red flags. Worse than that, they used the dialogue to attempt to remove damaging references to law enforcement and legal professionals.”

In a final message to Giles, Kevin said: “I just can’t keep on going – this fight over the last year has exhausted me.

“I just couldn’t see all this through to the end myself.

“I’m in far too much pain to keep going. Do not allow them to forget the disregard they have for people like me. It’s a big fight – it’s deeply embedded within their DNA, and it’s so hard to make them even see us as human, let alone survivors of abuse.”

Giles said later: “I’m speechless and many others are in shock.” A spokesman for the SCAI said: “We have been made a been aware of a possible tragic incident involving an individual who has been engaging with the Inquiry.

“In the interests of transparency, SCAI will commission an independent review.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22213361 (230231ZDEC24) Notable: Final Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part Two / SNP to fly Pride flag from Scottish Government buildings four times more than Union flag in 2025

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-fly-pride-flag-scottish-34361204

SNP to fly Pride flag from Scottish Government buildings four times more than Union flag in 2025

Guidance from the nationalist executive shows the British flag will be flown just once in 2025 compared to the four times officials will raise the 'Progress Pride' banner

Douglas Dickie

22 DEC 2024

The SNP will fly the Pride flag from Scottish Government buildings four times in 2025. But in contrast, Ministers will allow the Union Flag to fly just once throughout the year.

New guidance on flag flying published this week by the government lays bare the Nats' attempts to play down Scotland's links with the rest of the UK. It states the Union Flag will be flown only to mark Remembrance Sunday.

In contrast, the 'Progress Pride' flag, which represents the LGBTQ+ community, will be seen fluttering outside official buildings four times where the number of flagpoles allows. It will be hoisted on February 1 to mark the start of LGBT History month and again on May 17 for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

It will also be flown to mark Pride events in Glasgow and Edinburgh although the dates have yet to be confirmed. Created in 2018, the Progress Price flag includes the rainbow LGBT flag but adds black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes in an arrow to represent other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

First Minister John Swinney will also continue the practice of flying the flag of the European Union every day where possible despite the UK leaving the bloc almost five years ago. Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for tourism and culture Murdo Fraser MSP questioned the decision.

He told the Scottish Express: "As part of the United Kingdom, it's common sense that Scotland's government buildings should display the Union Jack flag. To only fly our national flag once in favour of pushing their own agenda is typical posturing from the SNP."

The decision means the Union Flag will fly the same amount of times in the year from government buildings as the likes of the Commonwealth flag, the Autistic Pride flag, Transgender flag and World Aids Day flag. Also flying once will be the Red Ensign, to mark Merchant Navy Day on September 3.

The Royal Banner of a red rampant on a yellow field will fly eight times, to mark royal occasions such as the King and Queens birthdays, anniversary, and the anniversaries of Charles III's coronation and ascension to the throne. It will also be flown where possible on St Andrew's Day.

The Ukrainian flag will also continue to fly from St Andrew's House when possible until the end of the conflict in the country. The Saltire is flown all year round from government buildings.

Meanwhile, the government has added Armed Forces Day to the list after initially leaving it off in due to an "administration error". Celebrated on June 28 next year, Armed Forces Day is a chance to celebrate those who serve in the military as well as their families. Its flag features half a Union Flag with the words "Armed Forces Day - Show Your Support" underneath.

Mr Fraser said that the SNP government has a "responsibility to ensure the flags flown outside Government buildings fairly represent everyone in Scotland". He added: "To initially forget about our veterans while remembering to fly the LGBT flag four times does not seem to suggest the nationalists value equality."

Holyrood officials have updates the guidance regularly since 2004 when only the Saltire, the EU flag for Europe Day, the Red Ensign and Royal Banner were flown. Nicola Sturgeon ordered civil servants to fly the EU flag every day in 2022, a practice that has been repeated by Humza Yousaf and Mr Swinney.

It was confirmed earlier this year that Mr Swinney had personally demanded the EU flag be flown on "a daily basis except for specific flag flying dates". A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government closely follows annual Flag flying protocol to mark significant dates which matter to the people of Scotland, including those issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport who use information provided by the Royal Household.

“The European Flag is flown to reflect the continued support of the people of Scotland for Europe, and as a mark of solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of EU citizens who continue to call Scotland home.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22221787 (241756ZDEC24) Notable: Final Law and Disorder Bun Part Two / Police Scotland officer among four charged in anti-corruption investigation

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https://news.stv.tv/scotland/police-scotland-officer-among-four-charged-in-anti-corruption-investigation

Police Scotland officer among four charged in anti-corruption investigation

Three men and a woman are due in court at a later date.

PA Media

10 hours ago

A serving Police Scotland officer is among four people charged following an investigation by the force’s anti-corruption unit.

The male officer, who has been suspended, was arrested last week along with two other men and a woman.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Following an investigation conducted by Police Scotland’s anti-corruption unit, three men and a woman were arrested across central Scotland on Wednesday December 18.

“All four have been charged and released from custody on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22224066 (250237ZDEC24) Notable: Final Ferry Failures Bun / Crisis-hit Ferguson Marine splash out £30k for bosses travel expenses as CEO nets £15k due to Canada commute

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>>>/qresearch/22077021

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/crisis-hit-ferguson-marine-splash-34353708

Crisis-hit Ferguson Marine splash out £30k for bosses travel expenses as CEO nets £15k due to Canada commute

Exclusive: The Scottish Government-owned shipyard's future is at risk due to a lack of future work, but bosses still got their vast expenses paid for, including Interim Chief Executive John Petticrew who commuted from Canada when he was an Executive.

David Walker

22 DEC 2024

Crisis-hit Ferguson Marine has been blasted after it was revealed that it forked out almost £30k for travel expenses for its bosses. The figure is understood to have included a huge £15k for one member of the board of directors who lived in Canada and is now the Chief Executive of the shipyard.

The revelations comes as the nationalised business faces an uncertain future with no work lined up after it finishes the second of two much-delayed and over-budget ferries. Audit Scotland have aired fears that more public money will need to be plunged into it or it could close, with hundreds of jobs at risk.

Ferguson Marine entered administration under former owner Jim McColl after complications building two vessels for CalMac, which were described to be like constructing a warship. The Scottish Government jumped in to save it in order to keep the two boats, with one finally being completed this year, six years later, and the other scheduled for 2025.

But the shipyard has struggled to attract any other tenders or contracts meaning that it has to rely on public money to stay afloat. It has also been tough to keep hold of a permanent Chief Executive, with John Petticrew serving as an interim until next year.

Eyebrows have been raised at the fact £29,262 has been spent on travel expenses for Ferguson's board of directors between 2022 and 2024. The bulk of this bill falls on just one non-executive director, who is understood to be Mr Petticrew, who lives in Canada and has relocated temporarily to Scotland to run the shipyard.

He racked up £12.6k of flights and £2k of hotels in just two years, with his total expenses hitting £15,741. A second anonymous executive charged the taxpayer £5,222 for expenses, with these two making up two-thirds of the total.

Ferguson Marine has received £380m so far to build the two CalMac ferries, despite an initial £97m price tag on them. A £45m loan to help with cashflow issues has also been written off, with the government poised to invest £14.2m to help modernise the yard to help them be competitive.

The Scottish Tories blasted this spend, with Shadow Transport Secretary Sue Webber telling the Scottish Daily Express: "Taxpayers’ will be outraged that Ferguson Marine bosses have been racking up thousands on expenses while islanders are still let without lifeline ferry services.

“It is just common sense that this money should have been spent on getting these ferries delivered, not on travel and flights for bosses. The SNP’s ferries scandal has betrayed islanders at every turn. It is high time ministers took responsibility for their failures as well as keeping an eye on this spending.”

A spokeswoman for Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) said: “John Petticrew joined the Ferguson board in May 2022. We carefully weighed up the pros and cons of him living in Canada, but concluded that his extensive experience in shipbuilding would be an asset to the FMPG board.

"This decision has proved to be beneficial, borne out by his willingness to step up to the interim CEO role in March 2024 to oversee the final fit out and handover of MV Glen Rosa. Indeed he has agreed to remain in this role until Easter 2025 while we continue the search for a permanent CEO.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22227459 (252139ZDEC24) Notable: Final Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part Two / SNP Government spends £5.7m on polling in one year - with favourite Ipsos handed 75% of the total

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>>>/qresearch/22077023

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-spend-57-polling-34354483

SNP Government spends £5.7m on polling in one year - with favourite Ipsos handed 75% of the total

Exclusive: Despite struggling for cash in recent year, the Scottish Government has managed to spend £23.m on polling companies, with the one who is claimed to be most generous towards the Nats awarded the bulk of this

David Walker

21 DEC 2024

The cash-strapped Scottish Government spent a record £5.7m on polling companies in the last financial year, with its favourite pollster netting 75% of the total. Ipsos Mori raked in £4.3m in 2022/23, with the organisation often being an outlier when it comes to both independence and SNP support.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing as Ipsos is the biggest polling company in the UK, and also works for the likes of the UK Government in undertaking surveys for them. The new figures, revealed through a freedom of information request to the SNP Executive, highlighted that a considerable amount of taxpayer money is being used to pay pollsters.

Since 2018, a total of £23.2m has been spent on businesses who undertake surveys, with this increasing every year. At the time of asking the statistics for 2023/24 were not available. Ipsos Mori received a huge £17.6m for its services, which included the Scottish Crime & Justice Survey and the Scottish Household Survey.

Concerns have previously been raised about the company overestimating SNP and Scottish independence support, with this being highlighted during the General Election. It calculated the Nats support was 6% higher than the figure recorded in the actual vote, the highest margin of error by any reputable pollster.

Even in February, when the nationalist party were suffering huge dips in the polls under Humza Yousaf's leadership, the French-owned firm put them ahead of Scottish Labour by 7%, the only company to have them so far ahead. In the end, John Swinney suffered a disastrous election night, dropping to just nine MPs from 48.

It predicted that 36% of Scots would vote for John Swinney's party on July 4, but this was 6% over the actual total of 30%. Ipsos has always been an outlier on independence, continually claiming that more Scots support breaking up the UK than staying within the Union.

The Scottish Government has also funded other polling companies but with considerably less cash than it has splashed on Ipsos. Scotland-based body Progressive Partnership Ltd, Mark Diffley's company, Britain Thinks and Jump Research all netted over £100k in 2022/23.

When quizzed about the SNP/independence discrepancy previously, Ipso said: "Our methodology does differ from other market research companies, because we continue to poll by telephone, whilst other companies use online panels, and Ipsos does not weight the results by the party respondents voted for at previous elections."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Scottish Government contracts are awarded in line with legislation and rigorous procurement guidelines and all companies bidding for work are subject to due diligence and security vetting, with contracts awarded to deliver value for the public purse.

"IPSOS is engaged by government and other organisations across the UK to provide surveys and research for a range of matters. Any member of the British Polling Council is subject to detailed rules including around transparency and the appropriate use of sampling methods and weighting procedures.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22227510 (252205ZDEC24) Notable: Final Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part Two / Angela Constance latest SNP Minister to fall foul of LimoGate as she and family member enjoy Old Firm cup final

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>>>/qresearch/22077023

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/angela-constance-latest-snp-minister-34343882

Angela Constance latest SNP Minister to fall foul of LimoGate as she and family member enjoy Old Firm cup final

The Scottish Government's Justice Secretary becomes the latest in a long line of SNP Ministers to enjoy the taxpayer-funded chauffeur service to attend lavish events.

David Walker

19 DEC 2024

Angela Constance has become the latest SNP Minister to be embroiled in LimoGate as it was revealed that she attended the Old Firm League Cup Final - and brought a close family member along with her. She was chauffeured to Hampden and back home again on Sunday and enjoyed hospitality there.

Her colleague Neil Gray was already forced to apologise for taking a family member or friend to big Aberdeen games at the National Stadium at taxpayers expense. He also utilised the ministerial car service to do this, and admitted that he should have acted more as a minister rather than a fan.

Documents published by the Scottish Government showed that SNP Ministers took family and friends to dozens of lavish ministerial events, including concerts and sporting spectacles. Maree Todd was the biggest culprit, racking up 21 separate engagements while accompanied by a close companion.

John Swinney is clamping down on this "abuse" of ministerial limos tweaking the ministerial code so family and friends can only now travel in a government car with a minister when it is “clearly in the public interest” or on an “exceptional basis”. But this rule change came two days after Ms Constance's trip.

The Justice Secretary attended the match as a guest of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and it was reported by the Daily Record that she was discussing an increased use of football banning orders. Rangers and Celtic fans rampaged through Glasgow city centre before the game.

While she and her family member took in the match for free and travelled there in style, lowly supporters paid upwards of £40 for a ticket. A return journey between the Livingston train station near Constance’s Almond Valley constituency and Glasgow Central costs £13.60.

The Scottish Tories blasted the latest chapter of LimoGate. Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton said: "The public will be astonished that Angela Constance deemed it appropriate to use a ministerial car to go to the Old Firm this weekend. Clearly she has learned nothing from how angry the public feel about Neil Gray’s limo-gate scandal where he charged the taxpayer to watch his favourite team, Aberdeen.”

Previously the Scottish Government insisted that the changes to the Ministerial Code relating to car use had nothing to do with the Mr Gray. The new rules restrict the use of limos for relatives: "It is permissible for a close family member to travel with a Minister in an official car on occasions where it is clearly in the public interest for them to attend an official engagement and/or where it is justified on security grounds.

“In all other circumstances, close family members should only travel with a Minister in an official car on an exceptional basis and where this does not incur any additional public expenditure or impact on the delivery of the official duties of the Minister concerned.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The Justice Secretary attended Sunday’s match for official government business. During the engagement, she discussed with the SPFL the continued efforts to tackle the illegal use of pyro-technics at football matches and observed the policing of such sporting events.”

An SPFL spokesman said: “For many years, as is customary, we’ve been very pleased to be joined by members of the Scottish Government and politicians from different parties at these flagship occasions.” It is not known if Ms Constance supports either of the teams who played on Sunday.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22227549 (252223ZDEC24) Notable: Final Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part Two / Angela Constance latest SNP Minister to fall foul of LimoGate as she and family member enjoy Old Firm cup final

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>>277786

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/angela-constance-defends-taking-teenage-34346741

Angela Constance defends taking teenage son to Old Firm cup final in taxpayer-funded limo

The Scottish Government's Justice Secretary insisted that she didn't like football as she walked away from a question about why her son was needed for discussions with the SPFL about pyrotechnics at football.

David Walker

19 DEC 2024

Angela Constance defended taking her teenage son to the Old Firm League Cup Final by insisting it was not "uncommon" for Ministers to take relatives to lavish events. And she even claimed she doesn't even like football in a bid to distance herself from allegations she misused public funds.

We previously told how the Scottish Government's Justice Secretary was chauffeured to Hampden Park on Sunday to watch the clash between Celtic Rangers as a guest of the Scottish Professional Football League. Now it has been revealed she took her teenage son along for the trip.

A clampdown on taking family members in taxpayer-funded limos was announced just two days after this trip, with the Scottish Government denying any correlation between this and the row which engulfed Neil Gray. He was forced to apologise after taking a family member to big Aberdeen cup games at Hampden Park as he is a Dons fan himself.

LimoGate has embroiled a number of other senior SNP Ministers as they used ministerial cars to attend sporting spectacles, musical gigs and film showings. Dozens of times they were accompanied by a friend, family member or spouse, with Maree Todd the biggest culprit of this, racking up 21 events.

A chauffeur-driven limo took Ms Constance and her son to the match with the Justice Secretary asked about this by the media at Holyrood on Thursday. According to the Daily Record, she said: "The invitation was extended to me as Justice Secretary. I am not known as a football fan. I am not a follower of football.

"But I did feel compelled to attend this particular football match, bearing in mind the growing concerns that we have about the use of pyrotechnics within our communities but also within football stadiums.

“I can assure you that my attendance and discussions, extensive discussions with the SPFL, were instructive. Unfortunately, there was demonstrable use of pyrotechnics at the match, completely unacceptable. I will continue to engage with the football authorities because we have to put a stop to this.”

She was then asked why she brought a family member with her and said: "It’s not uncommon for either ministers or MSPs to attend engagements, whether it is in their own constituency, or elsewhere, accompanied by a family member.” She was asked how taking a relative to Hampden Park helped her discuss serious issues like pyrotechnics, but she walked away.

New ministerial rules were released on Tuesday which included a new section on government cars and family members. They read: "It is permissible for a close family member to travel with a Minister in an official car on occasions where it is clearly in the public interest for them to attend an official engagement and/or where it is justified on security grounds.

“In all other circumstances, close family members should only travel with a Minister in an official car on an exceptional basis and where this does not incur any additional public expenditure or impact on the delivery of the official duties of the Minister concerned.”

An SPFL spokesman said: “For many years, as is customary, we’ve been very pleased to be joined by members of the Scottish Government and politicians from different parties at these flagship occasions.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22227669 (252312ZDEC24) Notable: Final Law and Disorder Bun Part Two / Scottish Labour knew about Cammy Day sexual message claims two YEARS ago

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>>>/qresearch/22138466

>>277338

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-knew-cammy-day-34360801

Scottish Labour knew about Cammy Day sexual message claims two YEARS ago

The former Edinburgh council leader faces a police probe into allegations he sent sexually explicit material to Ukrainian refugees

Douglas Dickie & Hannah Rodger

22 DEC 2024

Scottish Labour bosses have known about allegations of sexual harassment against Cammy Day for almost TWO YEARS, it has emerged. Day stepped down as Edinburgh council leader earlier this month and was suspended from the party after claims he sent "unsolicited nude pictures" to Ukrainian refugees over social media.

When the allegations became public, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it was the first he knew about them. But it has now been revealed a complaint was first made to the party 21 months ago in March 2023, reports the Sunday Mail.

Sent to former general secretary James Kelly, previously the MSP for Rutherglen, it came from a constituent of Day's Forth ward. The message claims: "For the past couple of years Councillor Day has intermittently and proactively messaged me on [a] dating application.

"Despite my refusal to respond, he has often been persistent and on numerous occasions sent unsolicited nude pictures that have made me feel deeply uncomfortable. The reason why I have now chosen to come forward is that recent media attention on Edinburgh Council's budget has unfortunately meant that Cammy's visibility has increased and with it, so has my own discomfort."

The complainant says they confided in friends and found out they were not the only person "who has experienced this unwanted behaviour". They go on to say they do not want to harm Day's mental health but "the behaviour is completely unacceptable and below the standard I would expect from an elected politician".

The person declined to put themselves through a formal procedure after being asked by the party. They added: "In my particular case, it refers to Cammy's persistence in sending unsolicited nude pictures, something he has done to many others over a period of years - and somehow he manages to lead one of the largest councils in Scotland.

"It should not be difficult for the Labour Party to validate the claims or to have a conversation with Cammy about his conduct without putting people through such a process. If that means that the Labour Party will take no action against a perpetrator of sexual harassment then that's a decision for the Labour Party."

The complaint was closed by Scottish Labour's sexual harassment team on March 28, 2023. Police are investigating a complaint about the sexually explicit messages, while the council is in talks with Ethical Standards Commission chiefs. A separate probe is also ongoing amid claims Day was acting as an unregistered landlord.

Mr Sarwar again insisted he was not aware of the allegations against Day until this month. He said: "Let me be really clear - we have an independent complaints procedure so if a complaint is made to the Labour Party, the complaint does not come to me and the independent group that looks at complaints does not notify me, as leader, until there is the opening of an investigation .

"As soon as evidence was shared with me...of alleged inappropriate behaviour then he was suspended. the same day. I had no notification about any complaint."

But Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian Sue Webber said: "Anas Sarwar has some serious questions to answer as to why councillor Cammy Day was allowed to remain in his post for a further two years after this initial report was made. It should not have taken a further upsetting and distressing incident before Mr Day was suspended for his actions. It is little surprise public trust in politicians is already at an all-time-low when this shameful behaviour from an elected official went undealt with for so long."

Despite the revelations about Day, Labour was able to cling on to power in Edinburgh this week, seeing off a challenge from the SNP and Greens. A City of Edinburgh Council's spokeswoman said: "All matters raised with the chief executive and monitoring officer are being progressed through our established processes in consultation with our independent whistleblowing service, Safecall, and, where appropriate, Police Scotland and the Ethical Standards Commission er. Given the ongoing investigations, we can't comment further at this stage."

A Labour spokesman said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken." Police Scotland said: "Enquiries are ongoing."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22227741 (252331ZDEC24) Notable: All these people are missing in Scotland this Christmas: Can you help their loved ones?

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/people-missing-scotland-christmas-can-34340770

All these people are missing in Scotland this Christmas: Can you help their loved ones?

Thousands of people are reported missing in Scotland every year and the charity Missing People helps to reunite as many of them as possible with their families

Ben Borland

24 DEC 2024

Christmas and New Year is a difficult time of year for many families but it can be especially difficult for people whose loved ones have gone missing.

For them, there is no sadness at remembering friends and relatives who have died and are not present to enjoy the festivities. Instead, they must endure another year without knowing what happened.

The charity Missing People is UK's main lifeline for people all across Scotland, England and Wales whose loved ones are missing. This year's Christmas appeal – supported by our sister title the Daily Mirror – has been fronted by the actor Stephen Fry.

He's a patron of Missing People and says that it's a topic "close to his heart" after he went missing for three days in 1995 while he was starring in a West End play.

Fry , 67, said in a video message: "Some 170,000 people are reported missing the UK every year. For them and their loved ones, life can be lonely, scary and uncertain. I know this from my own experience... For them, this Christmas will be tough."

The charity has dozens of people who have gone missing from Scotland, including high-profile cases such as Sandy Davidson, who was three when he vanished from Irvine in 1976.

Another missing child is Holly Bringan, who vanished along with her non-custodial mother, Salena Dingwall, also from Irvine, in 2009.

They are both on Police Scotland's database of more than 800 long-term missing people, so this list only represents the tip of the iceberg.

Still, if you think can help, please get in touch with Missing People. Click here to see the full database including photos and more details.

Missing at Christmas

Mark Harvey, missing from Newton Mearns since 12/10/24

Ernestas Dagys, missing from Drummore since 27/2/24

Robert Gibson, missing from Banff since 5/9/23

Susan Forde, missing from Stornoway since 16/10/22

Kevin Campbell, missing from Stonehaven since 1/10/22

Neil Skinner, missing from Bridge of Orchy, since 8/5/22

Finn Creaney, missing from Pitcalnie since 25/3/22

Paul Johnson, missing from St Andrews since 15/9/21

Vincent Barr, missing from Glasgow since 18/9/20

Alan Morrison, missing from Moray since 24/12/18

Tom Graham, missing from Toryglen since 27/10/18

Brian McGowan, missing from Stirling since 21/9/17

John Smith, missing from Arran since 30/5/17

Peter Edwards, missing from Stonehaven since 1/11/16

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22227766 (252339ZDEC24) Notable: All these people are missing in Scotland this Christmas: Can you help their loved ones?

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>>277789

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Samuel Townsley, missing since 17/10/16

Paul Booth, missing from Cumbernauld since 25/10/16

Stuart Clark, missing from Clydebank since 17/1/16

Paul Harley, missing from Dumbarton since 28/9/14

Shaun Ritchie, missing from Fraserburgh since 31/10/14

Allan Bryant, missing from Glenrothes since 3/11/13

Antonin Mican, missing from Gardenstown since 11/10/13

Alexander Clarke, missing from Kirkcaldy since 4/6/13

Paul Cameron, missing from Dingwall since 25/2/10

Edward Dallas, missing from Paisley since 2/3/10

Holly Bringan, missing from Irvine since 22/10/09. Holly was two when she disappeared

John Coleman, missing from Edinburgh since 1/5/09

Matthew Dyet, missing from Eyemouth since 17/2/09

Mary Ferns, missing from Livingston since 17/6/08

David Findlay, missing from Cardonald since 5/5/08

Iain Mowatt, missing from Arbroath since 12/8/07

Ellen MacDougall, missing from Inverness since 15/5/04

David McCallum, missing from Clydebank since 28/3/03

Patricia Duncan, missing from Buckie since 15/11/02

Doreen Jamieson, missing from Aberdeen since 19/12/01

Richard Doolan, missing from Croy since 24/3/01

Paul Bentley, missing from Glasgow since 26/10/00

Kenneth Jones, missing from Glenrothes since 3/11/98

Heather Thomson, missing from Inverness since 19/1/94

Peter McGuire, missing from High Valleyfield, Fife, since 27/1/93

Michael Bell, missing from Skye since 14/5/83

Sandy Davidson, missing from Irvine since 23/4/1976. Sandy was three when he disappeared

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22237719 (271836ZDEC24) Notable: Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun / The Scottish Government pleaded poverty in September and announced a crackdown on ministerial travel and recruitment freeze to save £500m, but found £17k to send Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin to New York for Climate Week

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>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

SNP Government spent £17k sending Minister to New York while Shona Robison brutally cut services

The Scottish Government pleaded poverty in September and announced a crackdown on ministerial travel and recruitment freeze to save £500m, but found £17k to send Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin to New York for Climate Week.

David Walker

20 DEC 2024

The Scottish Government have been accused of "wasting public money" after splurging £17k on sending a SNP Minister to New York for Climate Week - at the same time Shona Robison brutally cut services. Gillian Martin jetted out on the "overseas jolly" between September 21 and 24.

At the time the Scottish Daily Express asked whether this offered value for money considering the Finance Secretary had announced emergency spending curbs as she ran out of money. A crackdown on ministerial travel was announced, alongside a recruitment freeze and public health adverts being scrapped.

But Acting Net Zero Secretary Ms Martin still jetted out to the Big Apple with four officials, with another civil servant attending from the government's Washington International Office. She was not joined this time by the First Minister, with Humza Yousaf racking up a huge £70k bill when he went there with Mairi McAllan in 2023.

John Swinney didn't go because it was decided there was nothing in the programme which would have warranted him attending. The SNP have presided over an embarrassing year when it comes to the journey to Net Zero as it scrapped its "world-leading" climate targets after admitting it couldn't hit them.

Ms Martin's trip to New York cost the public purse £17,106.63, with the Minister herself forking out £1,666 for accommodation and £3,522 for flights. Her Private Secretary racked up a bill of £2,869.92, two government officials about £7,500 and her American colleague £2,438.

According to the report published on Friday on the government's website, Ms Martin used her time in America to "emphasise Scotland’s progress on climate action, emphasising in particular increased use of renewable energy and just transition." She also "met with Ministers from other states, regions and devolved governments."

Her junket to New York came just two weeks after Ms Robison announced £500m of spending cuts, with this including up to £60m of savings through the emergency spend controls which has targeted recruitment, overtime, ministerial travel and public advertisement. Peak rail fares also returned due to this.

Opposition parties blasted this spend while the SNP were insisting there was a financial crisis. Scottish Conservative shadow energy and net zero secretary Douglas Lumsden MSP told the Scottish Daily Express: “Hard-pressed Scots will be astonished that Gillian Martin splashed out thousands on a trip to New York while Shona Robison was playing the Grinch by cutting essential services.

“This is a classic example of the SNP wasting public money. Instead of indulging in an overseas jolly for climate week, Gillian Martin should have been focusing on rectifying her climate failures closer to home. It’s just common sense that SNP ministers should restrict the number and cost of their trips abroad when they are hiking taxes on hard working Scots and cutting public services.”

Scottish Lib Dem Climate emergency spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said: "I am not opposed to the Scottish Government being represented abroad but at a time when families are having to cut back on food and heating, ministers need to explain what taxpayers are getting out of such trips.

"SNP minister Mairi McAllan once claimed that world leaders approached the Scottish Government to ask for advice on climate change but when pressed she couldn't give a single example. Did Humza Yousaf's visit last year bring in foreign investment to help the development of Scottish renewables? Did it help Scottish firms to sell their products and expertise abroad? Did he learn how to stop his government repeatedly missing its emissions targets? These are the questions ministers must answer."

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22237786 (271850ZDEC24) Notable: Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun / Scottish Government's chief civil servant insists public cash wasn't wasted in SNP's attempt to protect Nicola Sturgeon in court

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>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-governments-chief-civil-servant-34350586

Scottish Government's chief civil servant insists public cash wasn't wasted in SNP's attempt to protect Nicola Sturgeon in court

JP Marks, who is the SNP Executive's Permanent Secretary, insisted that it was right for the government to waste £148k on a court case it lost in seconds in a bid to protect Nicola Sturgeon's conduct during the Alex Salmond Inquiry.

David Walker

20 DEC 2024

Scotland's "impartial" top civil servant has backed the Scottish Government by insisting it didn't waste public money fighting an unwinnable court case. The SNP Executive was rebuked by Scotland's Information Commissioner for going ahead with a court case to block the release of a freedom of information request despite legal advice saying they were unlikely to win.

The battle between the government and the commissioner has cost taxpayer about £148,000 and ended up in an embarrassing defeat for SNP Ministers as judges took just seconds to decide against them. The row surrounds a refusal to publish evidence gathered about Nicola Sturgeon's conduct in the Alex Salmond inquiry.

Former Independent Adviser to the Ministerial Code James Hamilton probed her behaviour and found that it was up to MSPs to decide whether she misled them after she "forgot" to tell them about a meeting she had with Alex Salmond's Chief of Staff Geoff Aberdein where he told her about sexual misconduct allegations against him.

A freedom of information request was made for this evidence but was rejected as the government insisted it did not "hold" this. But this was ruled to be false by the Information Commissioner who took them to court and won in seconds. The documents have still not been released.

Legal advice was then published around this decision to appeal which found that lawyers warned SNP Ministers not too proceed, with one counsel saying the court was "more likely than not to refuse the appeal". But this was ignored and the embarrassing defeat happened in public.

Information Commissioner David Hamilton wrote to JP Marks, the Scottish Government's Permanent Secretary, and blasted them for wasting public money by appealing against the legal advice, misleading the public and publishing "factual inaccuracies." But in response, Mr Marks has claimed that there was nothing wrong with the approach.

The Herald reports that Mr Marks claimed that he had no problems with the actions of the secretive SNP. He said: "I am satisfied that the Scottish Government responded within the proper timeframe, that the decisions taken at each stage were informed by comprehensive and impartial advice, including from the King's Counsel and the Lord Advocate, and the case was handled consistent with ministers' obligations under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act

"As we discussed, and consistent with the legal advice published, I am satisfied that throughout ministers had a stateable case, seeking to test an important point of statutory interpretation. To support transparency and accountability, the response to the final decision was the subject of a parliamentary statement on 29 October."

The legal advice showed damning evidence that the government had ignored its own counsel, with the Director of Legal Services Ruaraidh Macniven personally urging ministers not to proceed with an appeal.

An email to the Lord Advocate sent on March 10, 2023, by an official whose name has been redacted states: "Sorry - just further to the emails below - Ruaraidh had been in touch to say that in his view this perhaps isn't a case where ministers should appeal, on the back of the further information provided and counsel's revised advice.

"He thinks we should wait for another case where there are better circumstances. He thinks our position appears counterintuitive given we did hold information on our servers and given there was apparently not strict separation between the roles. He would be minded not to encourage ministers to appeal in this case."

Responding to Mr Marks's letter, Mr Hamilton said: "I'm pleased that the Scottish Government has acknowledged my concerns. I look forward to working with the Scottish Government as it continues its FOI improvement journey."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22237868 (271907ZDEC24) Notable: Final Ferry Failures Bun / Bombshell report claims CalMac ferry routes may not be value for money for Scots taxpayers

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>>>277793 Final Ferry Failures Bun

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/bombshell-report-claims-calmac-ferry-34347384

Bombshell report claims CalMac ferry routes may not be value for money for Scots taxpayers

A report from UK Government watchdog Competition and Markets Authority warned that the Scottish Government could save money by selling off some CalMac ferry routes.

David Walker

19 DEC 2024

CalMac keeping hold of the majority of Scotland's island routes may not be value for money for Scots taxpayers, a business watchdog has warned. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced earlier this year her intention to allow the government-operated quango to continue serving islanders on the west coast.

However, she commissioned a report into the viability of the deal while delaying a final decision for another year to sort out "a number of complex issues." A number of ferry groups want the routes to be unbundled and sent out to public procurement due to unreliability issues which have plagued CalMac.

Public subsidies of £3.7bn would be utilised to run the services for another 10 years. Advice from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was sought wirh the body recommending that a route-by-route assessment should be made about "whether any level of service could be commercially provided".

It also raised questions about whether taxpayers were getting value for money through the huge amount being given to CalMac and whether private operators could do the job cheaper. It advised SNP ministers to further explain and evidence whether keeping one bundle of routes ensures the taxpayer subsidy is "proportionate" and "limited to the minimum necessary".

The report urged Transport Scotland to explain and prove why an open competitive tender would not allow lifeline services to be operated at a cheaper cost to the taxpayer. This could include market testing with potential operators who might bid for the contract.

It read: "In our view, given the size of the subsidy, the assessment should better demonstrate that Transport Scotland considered a range of alternatives and explain, with appropriate evidence, why it concluded that they were not suitable to achieve the policy objective. This should include consideration of the potential for different models of delivery across some/all routes."

CalMac has argued that having the wide-ranging network, the biggest in the UK, enables ferries to be swapped between routes during disruption such as breakdowns. Its ageing fleet of vessels have been struggling to stay fit in recent years due to being over the age of retirement.

The CMA asked whether CalMac’s ferry leasing and maintenance costs, and the cost of buying new vessels by CMAL, were the “minimum necessary”. The report annoyed the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union who called on the Scottish Government to ignore the advice.

But the Scottish Conservatives said value for money was crucial. Transport spokesperson Sue Webber said: “Scotland’s ferry network has been run into the ground under the SNP. Islanders would assume that due diligence was carried out by Transport Scotland, and this report suggests otherwise.

“Taxpayers deserve good value for money and islanders need a reliable ferry service. If this award is just handed to CalMac, without proper due diligence, it will lead to perpetual disappointment for islanders, who will potentially be subjected to yet more cancellations and delays.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We welcome the the CMA’s conclusion that our subsidy assessment clearly describes and evidences our policy objective of ensuring the continued provision of lifeline ferry services to island and peninsula communities and our equity objectives of tackling the inequalities faced by these communities.

“We will consider carefully the improvements to the assessment suggested by the CMA. Minsters have been clear the network will continue to be operated as a whole network, and this remains the intent.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22238053 (271948ZDEC24) Notable: Final Ferry Failures Bun / SNP ferry fiasco ship Glen Sannox could be removed from service just weeks after starting in latest embarrassment

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>>282394

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ferry-fiasco-ship-glen-34351770

SNP ferry fiasco ship Glen Sannox could be removed from service just weeks after starting in latest embarrassment

SNP Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said it was 'very welcome news' that the Ferguson Marine ferry Glen Sannox would finally serve customers on Arran next month, but it will need to go back to the shipyard for repairs very soon afterwards.

David Walker

20 DEC 2024

The Scottish Government's Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop rejoiced on Friday when it was announced that the much-delayed Glen Sannox would finally come into service on January 13. She said this is "very welcome news, as this new vessel will support the people of Arran and wider ferry network."

But what she failed to mention is that the boat will need to removed from service quite soon afterwards in order to get a long-standing issue with its anchor fixed. During its sea trials, one anchor went down but failed to come up again, with a temporary fix installed to help with this.

Permanent work will need to be undertaken to fix this, with Ferguson Marine Interim Chief Executive John Petticrew confirming in a letter to MSPs that this needs to be done by February 2025. Glen Sannox will need to be taken out of service before this so that it can be repaired.

He said: 'We expect delivery of the items required to fix the anchor by February 2025. Following delivery of these materials, we will liaise with CalMac to agree a suitable time to complete the required fix to the anchor. Once a suitable date is agreed, the fix should take a matter of days to implement.

"We aren’t in a position to confirm any expected impact on Glen Sannox entering service, this will need to be reviewed with CalMac once we have the materials and have agreed with them a timescale for repair. We will provide the Committee with an interim update with further information and timescales after the materials have arrived and we have discussed with CalMac."

The original anchor breakdown is what delayed the ferry from being handed over as it was originally scheduled to be in service by the end of the year. It is one of two vessels being built at Ferguson Marine which are more than five years late and at least £300m over-budget.

Mr Petticrew blamed the anchor issue on wrong designs: "We checked the drawings and all the technical data that we had received, and those suggested that it should have worked. When we went down and did some measurements on vital parts, the measurements did not match the drawings that were provided.”

He later confirmed that, although it was the parts which did not match the drawing and having to replace the parts, it was a “design issue." His update to MSPs also did not have a completion date for the other ferry fiasco ship, the Glen Rosa. A "lessons learned" discussion will be held to help with the construction of the boat, and a full review of the delivery plan will be undertaken.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22238090 (271958ZDEC24) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / The SNP are allowing Scotland's NHS to crumble as maintenance backlog hits 'staggering' £1.3bn

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>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-allowing-scotlands-nhs-crumble-34353223

The SNP are allowing Scotland's NHS to crumble as maintenance backlog hits 'staggering' £1.3bn

The Scottish Government have been accused of 'mismanaging' the NHS after allowing the maintenance backlog to grow to a huge £1.3bn, with all building projects already paused.

David Walker

21 DEC 2024

The SNP have been accused of letting Scotland's NHS crumble away as the maintenance backlog facing the health service now tops a "staggering" £1.3bn. Years of Nat mismanagement has been blamed for the poor standards at healthcare premises across the country.

A freedom of information response from the Scottish Tories found that there has been a rise of £200m since Audit Scotland's report from February about this issue. Despite the shoddy state of some hospitals, including Monklands, all new building projects were paused for two years due to budget pressures.

Numerous building safety incidents have been reported in the majority of health boards across the country. Water damage affecting an operating theatre in Fife caused a power outage in the middle of a patient's procedure in January, with external water damage meaning the theatre at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline needed to shut.

Other incidents included a visitor at Wishaw General Hospital catching a television after it fell off the wall in September last year, and a near miss at University Hospital Hairmyres in July 2023 when a "heavy, sharp and metal" air vent came loose from its safety chain and plunged from the ceiling in "close proximity" of a patient.

Audit Scotland warned earlier this year that that NHS Scotland's maintenance backlog included issues with fire safety testing, leaking pipes, and "inadequate precautions to manage built environment infection risks to patients". The Scottish Government is investing a record £16.2m in the NHS next year.

Scottish Tory Shadow Health Secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane said that the new scale of the repairs, £1.3bn, are a "damning indictment” as to how the SNP have “shamefully neglected” Scotland's health service for over 17 years. He says that successive SNP health secretaries have allowed “crucial” healthcare services to fall into a state of disrepair and that they have no plan to tackle the backlog.

Dr Gulhane added that the money which will be needed to deal with these “eye-watering” maintenance costs would be better spent on tackling record NHS backlogs and worsening A&E waiting times. He said: "The maintenance backlog costs facing Scotland’s NHS have hit staggering levels.

“In the space of a few months, this bill has escalated by over £200 million on the SNP’s watch. These figures are a damning indictment of how the (?nationalists have shamefully neglected our health service over the past 17 years. Successive SNP health secretaries have had their eye off the ball and allowed crucial health care services to fall into a total state of disrepair which ultimately impacts patients and staff, as well as health boards' budgets.

“In light of these figures, it is little wonder independent auditors think the SNP have no vision for our NHS when they can’t even support its basic upkeep.

“The eye-watering sum of money that is going to be needed to tackle these maintenance costs only takes more money away from the frontline where the SNP are overseeing record waiting lists and worsening A&E waiting times. Neil Gray needs to accept his current approach is not working and change it before these costs spiral completely out of control.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22238151 (272014ZDEC24) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / SNP has blood on its hands as thousands die waiting for treatment at crisis-hit A&E departments

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>>282396

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-blood-hands-thousands-die-34367848

SNP has blood on its hands as thousands die waiting for treatment at crisis-hit A&E departments

The figure was described as 'shocking' by Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane who called on Neil Gray to make battling the crisis his top priority

Douglas Dickie

24 DEC 2024

Thousands of Scots have died waiting for treatment at Scotland's crisis-hit A&E departments, according to new figures. Over 2,000 people perished using the Royal College of Medicine’s standard mortality ratio which calculates that one in every 72 patients who experience a wait of 8-12 hours in A&E after being admitted will die.

The Scottish Tories say this means 2,181 deaths can be attributed to waiting too long in A&E. The calculation is based on the 226,328 patients who waited more than eight hours in the emergency room for treatment in 2024.

Meanwhile, Labour claimed that 147,223 Scots had waited more than eight hours to be seen in A&E and then be admitted, transferred or discharged over the period January to October this year – with the party calculating this would equate to as many as 2,045 excess deaths. It comes after official statistics from Public Health Scotland showed just under three out of five patients (59.7%) in A&E were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within the target time of four hours in the week ending December 8.

Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the SNP had created a “permanent crisis” in accident and emergency departments. The Tory MSP, who is also a GP, called it a “damning indictment of the SNP’s mismanagement of Scotland’s NHS over the last 17 years”.

Dr Gulhane added: “It is shocking that these excessive delays at A&E are estimated to have resulted in over 2,100 deaths since last Christmas and my thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one. The SNP are presiding over a permanent crisis in A&E departments and successive SNP health secretaries have failed to get a grip of increasingly appalling waiting times.”

Demanding action from Health Secretary Neil Gray, Dr Gulhane said: “This disgracefully high number of excess deaths must show Neil Gray that he must change his current approach. He needs to urgently ensure that money invested in the health service is getting to the front line rather than being wasted on bureaucracy and middle managers.”

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “For all the stories of exhausting and anxious waits in Scotland’s emergency departments, there are those who never lived to tell the tale.” She added: “The SNP’s negligence is doing more than causing frustration — they are gambling with Scots’ lives.

“The UK Labour Government has delivered a record Budget settlement for Scotland but it’s up to the SNP to ensure it goes on frontline services so that every patient has an equal chance of getting the treatment they need.” Mr Gray said: “Scotland’s core A&E departments have been the best performing in the UK for the last eight years, however, health services everywhere face huge pressure following the pandemic – and ours is no exception. The number of deaths from all causes in all locations, however, is lower than we would expect to see based on historic trends, according to National Records of Scotland.”

He also said: “Our draft 2025/26 Scottish Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for health and social care, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, with NHS boards receiving an additional £2 billion to deliver key frontline services like A&E.

“We will ensure that all A&E departments have a frailty service linked to home care services for older people and will expand the Hospital at Home programme by 600 beds, relieving pressures on urgent care.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22238196 (272025ZDEC24) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / SNP's 'chronic mismanagement' blamed as patients wait four HOURS for NHS 24 call to be answered

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>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

>>282397

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snps-chronic-mismanagement-blamed-patients-34376155

SNP's 'chronic mismanagement' blamed as patients wait four HOURS for NHS 24 call to be answered

The average wait for a call to NHS 24 to be answered has nearly doubled in 2024 as John Swinney was forced to ask people to seek help online

Douglas Dickie

26 DEC 2024

The SNP's "chronic mismanagement" of Scotland's health service has been blamed after it emerged some patients waited four HOURS for calls to NHS 24 to be answered. Freedom of information data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives showed one patient waited for four hours, four minutes and 24 seconds in September this year – including time spent in the virtual queue.

Another caller in July faced a wait of four hours and 30 seconds. In 2023, the average wait to speak to an operator was around 12 minutes but this had risen to 21 minutes by the end of October this year.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: "The SNP’s neglect of our health service over the last 17 years means waiting times to be connected to NHS 24 are skyrocketing. Chronic mismanagement from successive SNP health secretaries means average waiting times for those desperate for help have now hit over 20 minutes.

"One shocking case saw a Scot having to hang on for over four hours, while over 100,000 patients abandoned their calls altogether. The increase in waiting times for NHS 24 is mirrored across our health service under the SNP.

"A&E waiting times are worsening by the day, delayed discharge figures have reached an all-time high, and cancer waiting time targets have not been met for over a decade. Neil Gray must focus on fixing the systemic issues in our health service so more funding can be spent on the front line where it will make the most difference to patients."

The figures are an embarrassment for First Minister John Swinney who visited an NHS 24 call centre in Dundee on Monday, seeing its preparations for the busy festive period. He encouraged Scots to seek help online of they could rather than call NHS 24.

In a statement, NHS 24 said: "From August 2023 onwards patients on some pathways have the option of joining a virtual queue, where the patient can hang up and will receive a call from NHS 24 when their place in the respective queue has reached a call taker. For discontinued calls NHS 24 would point out that a proportion of callers are encouraged to seek assistance elsewhere given that 111 is not the most appropriate service for them at that time."

The Scottish Government said NHS 24 has an online service as well as the phone line. Health Secretary Mr Gray said: "There are several NHS 24 digital options that offer clinically assured health advice, and callers have the option to use the NHS 24 callback service during busier periods.

"NHS 24 is committed to improving call waiting times, especially during peak periods when demand is high. We continue to support and invest in the service, which now has a record number of call handlers to support with inevitable increases in demand over the winter period."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22238270 (272039ZDEC24) Notable: Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun / 2024 to be a record year for bed blocking as 4.6 MILLION days lost in last decade thanks to SNP incompetence

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>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

>>282397

>>282398

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/2024-record-year-bed-blocking-34380012

2024 to be a record year for bed blocking as 4.6 MILLION days lost in last decade thanks to SNP incompetence

The equivalent of 1,800 YEARS were lost last year to people taking up hospital beds despite being physically able to leave

Douglas Dickie

27 DEC 2024

2024 looks set to be a record year for bed blocking in Scotland as the sheer scale of SNP failure is laid bare. New research suggests more than 4.6 million 'bed days' have been lost to delayed discharge over the past decade.

The year 2023/24 had the highest number of days where hospital beds were occupied by someone who was physically fit to leave with 666,190 - the equivalent of over 1,800 YEARS. Up until October this year, 422,229 days had already been lost, according to analysis by campaign group Scotland in Union.

In total, 4,606,266 bed days have been attributed to delayed discharge patients in the past nine years, according to the Public Health Scotland data. Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said: "The Scottish Government has made repeated pledges to tackle delayed discharge, but things are only getting worse.

"Everyone knows it has long been a problem for Scotland’s NHS, and people will be shocked to see the sheer scale of it. It’s appalling that millions of bed days have been taken up while patients wait on hospital trolleys and others struggle to get an appointment at all.

"This is the consequence of a nationalist government being more worried about its narrow constitutional agenda than about fixing the things which matter to Scots today." Instances of bed-blocking have been growing steadily since 2016/17, when the figure was 399,315, with the exception of 2020/21 when the Covid pandemic forced hospitals into a quick turnover.

It plunged to 358,426 that year but by 2022/23 ,the figure was already well above pre-Covid levels. A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "Most people are able to leave hospital with no delays – currently over 96% of all hospital discharges happen without delay – but reducing delayed discharges further is a priority for the Scottish Government.

"Our Budget for 2025-26 will invest £200 million to reduce waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and remove barriers which keep some patients in hospital longer than necessary. We also want to expand Hospital at Home to treat 150,000 more patients, deliver additional support for GPs and invest in new hospitals at Belford and Monklands."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22238355 (272053ZDEC24) Notable: Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun / The great SNP Christmas getaway! Ministers fled Holyrood in fleet of chauffeur-driven limos

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>>282392

>crackdown on ministerial travel

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/great-snp-christmas-getaway-ministers-34297312

The great SNP Christmas getaway! Ministers fled Holyrood in fleet of chauffeur-driven limos

As Scots faced traffic jams and train meltdown ahead of the Christmas break in 2023, Scottish Government Ministers were ferried home in style by the taxpayer-funded car service

Ben Borland

26 DEC 2024

The Christmas getaway saw more than 30 million cars take to the roads last year as the AA issued an "amber traffic warning" for "lengthy jams". Motorists were even advised to take chocolate bars to keep their energy levels up.

Rail services were disrupted across the UK by Network Rail engineering works, while buses and taxi ranks were jam-packed with people heading home from work for a well-earned festive break.

For SNP Ministers, however, 'driving home for Christmas' was no trouble at all thanks to their fleet of taxpayer-funded chauffeur-driven cars. The Holyrood exodus came within hours of MSPs breaking up for two weeks after First Minister's Questions.

At least 15 Nat ministers and Cabinet Secretaries took a government car directly from the Scottish Parliament to a "personal address" on Thursday, December 21 last year. No details have been published for Humza Yousaf, who was then First Minister.

Finance Secretary and Deputy First Minister Shona Robison

Public finance minister Tom Arthur

Local government minister Joe Fitzpatrick

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon

External Affairs and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson

Culture and Europe minister Christina McKelvie

Health Secretary Michael Matheson

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville

Housing minister Paul McLennan

Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan

Transport minister Fiona Hyslop

Wellbeing Economy and Fair Work Secretary Neil Gray

Energy minister Gillian Martin

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth

Victims minister Siobhian Brown

None of them made any stops on the way home. Only Elena Whitham, who was then minister for drugs and alcohol policy, used the car for ministerial business on her way home for Christmas.

She went to Abbeycare Scotland, an addiction treatment centre in Erskine, Renfrewshire, to attend a Christmas carol service. All other engagements on December 21 were meetings or video conferences, mostly conducted at Holyrood.

Only Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie, who was then zero carbon buildings minister, used public transport to get home. He used his ScotRail Flexi Pass to travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street.

A similar exodus will have taken place from the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, December 19 after the final First Minister's Questions of 2024. However, the ministerial car journeys for December will only be published well into next year.

According to the most recent update, the Government Car Service has 31 vehicles including 17 plug-in hybrids and 14 fully electric cars. There are 13 Kias, nine Teslas and four Volvos, all purchased within the past five years.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22252259 (292243ZDEC24) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / WHAT'S UP? SNP bans WhatsApp in ‘admission mass deletion of messages’ during Covid was wrong

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>>>277792 Final Covid and Other Pestilence Bun

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/14031407/snp-bans-whatsapp-mass-deletion-covid-wrong/

WHAT'S UP? SNP bans WhatsApp in ‘admission mass deletion of messages’ during Covid was wrong

Ministers were first asked for the messages in December 2021 but repeatedly claimed they did not have a single WhatsApp

Conor Matchett

17 Dec 2024

NATS chiefs today banned WhatsApp on government phones after Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney, and other senior SNP figures sparked fury after deleting messages from during the pandemic.

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes told MSPs ministers and civil servants would not be allowed to use the app by “Spring 2025”.

She said: “Scottish Government Ministers and staff will not be permitted to use WhatsApp, or any other non-corporate communications channel, to conduct government business.”

But the announcement sparked concern this would move conversations onto personal phones, outside the scope of freedom of information and public inquiries.

The review, led by Emma Martins, said policies around the use of WhatsApp brought in by SNP chiefs in 2022 which told ministers and staff to regularly delete messages was “not fit for purpose”.

The review said: “The current policy on MMAs is not considered to be fit for purpose and it is recommended that it be withdrawn and replaced with a new policy.”

Humza Yousaf launched the review earlier this year after the UK Covid inquiry heard that former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had deleted all her WhatsApps — despite telling Scots on TV she would hand all of them over.

And mountains of messages between key ministers — including Ms Sturgeon, her successor Humza Yousaf, and Mr Swinney — and civil servants showed they joked about deleting the messages to avoid publishing them through transparency rules.

Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director, also angered Covid bereaved groups for saying deleting his WhatsApps was a “pre-night” ritual.

We also revealed in October how the UK’s chief medical officers rallied round disgraced adviser Catherine Calderwood after her lockdown-busting trip to Fife, also revealed by The Scottish Sun.

She told figures like Chris Whitty and Jonathan Van Tam that she would try to “ride it out”, before resigning later the same day.

Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the policy was an admission the “pre-determined deletion of messages” was wrong.

He said: “This statement is a clear admission by the Scottish Government that what they have been doing and what they did over the Covid pandemic was wrong.”

Responding to the Scottish Government’s decision to remove WhatsApp on government devices, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Nothing in today’s statement will retrieve those WhatsApp messages that we know were being deleted on a wholesale basis throughout the Scottish Government’s handling of the pandemic.

“Nothing in today’s statement will offer closure or answers to the families of the Covid bereaved."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22252401 (292306ZDEC24) Notable: Final John Swinney Bun / NO TALKS John Swinney has not been asked to speak to cops about ongoing SNP finance probe

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>>>277799 Final John Swinney Bun

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/14037884/john-swinney-no-talk-police-operation-branchform/

NO TALKS John Swinney has not been asked to speak to cops about ongoing SNP finance probe

Nicola Sturgeon is still under investigation by the police

Conor Matchett

18 Dec 2024

JOHN Swinney said he has not been asked to speak to cops probing the SNP’s finances - after we revealed Alex Salmond was brought in by detectives to help with the investigation.

We told how the former first minister met officers and spoke to them at length about the long-running fraud probe into the finances of the party he once led.

Detectives believed the ex-SNP leader could offer “expertise” given his former role at the top of the Nats.

It was revealed Branchform cops were desperate to speak with the former FM about party spending during his leadership.

A source said: “The idea was that as a former SNP leader, he could provide expertise.

“After all, it is the party leader who has overall responsibility for party matters.”

It is understood Mr Salmond met with detectives over a year ago following a request.

But the Alba Party chief ultimately did not give a formal statement to officers before his death in October.

But asked whether he had been spoken to by officers, the First Minister said: “No.”

Mr Swinney said he would “of course” do so if asked and also refused to say whether his predecessor, Humza Yousaf, had spoken to cops.

On a visit to the Dunfermline Learning Campus in Fife, he said: “I’m not going to discuss Operation Branchform.”

Mr Swinney also refused to engage with whether the probe was hanging over his head as SNP leader.

He added: “It’s an investigation that’s underway and I’m not going to comment on it.”

Nicola Sturgeon is still under investigation by the police in connection with the probe.

And in April her husband and the SNP’s former chief executive, Peter Murrell, was charged with alleged embezzlement from the party.

Ex-party treasurer, Colin Beattie, also remains under investigation.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22252469 (292322ZDEC24) Notable: Final John Swinney Bun / LOO FEARS John Swinney admits girls are scared of using mixed-sex toilets over ‘fear of being photographed’

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277799 Final John Swinney Bun

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/14007860/mixed-gender-toilets-school-fears-john-swinney/

LOO FEARS John Swinney admits girls are scared of using mixed-sex toilets over ‘fear of being photographed’

It comes after Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay claimed the drop in teacher numbers has led to a "collapse in discipline"

Conor Matchett

12 Dec 2024

JOHN Swinney today admitted girls are scared of using mixed-sex toilets in schools — because they fear being photographed.

The First Minister told MSPs he knew the “intolerable” practice of boys taking snaps under stall doors was taking place.

And he insisted the SNP Government would take action to tackle a spike in misbehaviour by pupils.

His vow came after Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay claimed a drop in teacher numbers had led to a “collapse of discipline” in schools — including some where unisex loos have been introduced.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Findlay said: “Girls are too scared to use mixed-sex toilets because they risk being photographed under cubicle doors.

“As a parent, I’d be worried. It would make my blood boil. Frankly, I would be on the warpath.

“These shocking incidents are happening because disruptive pupils know there are no consequences for their actions.”

Mr Findlay added: “Isn’t it time for the SNP to crack down on the behaviour of the minority, who are ruining it for the majority?”

The Nats supremo replied: “Let me make it absolutely crystal clear that any of the behaviour Mr Findlay has recounted — which I know does take place in our schools — is completely and utterly intolerable.”

He insisted education chiefs should feel “empowered” to tackle misbehaving kids.

Earlier this year it was revealed more than 200 Scots school staff are assaulted every day, with 44,600 incidents reported last year.

In August, experts slammed Nats ministers for vowing to stick with a “relationships-based approach” to dealing with troublesome pupils.

Guidance was released alongside new plans allowing headteachers to ban mobile phones.

It followed a report that “challenging behaviour” is “widespread in secondary school”.

Mr Findlay accused the SNP of allowing “toxic behaviour to spiral out of control” — amid a recent drop of 621 in teacher numbers.

He said: “Instead of letting violence continue, the SNP must empower teachers to take a tougher approach where necessary.

"Isn’t it plain common sense that what our schools need is more discipline and more teachers?"

Russell Findlay Scottish Tory Leader

“But all John Swinney has done is cut teacher numbers, he has broken promises, let standards slip and allowed toxic behaviour to spiral out of control. After 17 years of SNP rule, our schools need change.”

The Tory chief added: “John Swinney’s way is not working for pupils, for teachers, or for parents.

“Isn’t it plain common sense that what our schools need is more discipline and more teachers?”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22285923 (031855ZJAN25) Notable: Abuse Bun Part One / Flashback 2015: Sir Edward Heath child abuse claims: String of politicians accused of child sex abuse

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277791 Final Abuse Bun

https://web.archive.org/web/20150804201051/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sir-edward-heath-child-abuse-6188769

Sir Edward Heath child abuse claims: String of politicians accused of child sex abuse

3 August 2015

Tom Pettifor

The names include late former Cabinet Minister Leon Brittan and Lib Dem Sir Cyril Smith as well as one of Tony Blair's ministers

A series of politicians have been accused of abusing children, including late former Cabinet Minister Leon Brittan and Lib Dem Sir Cyril Smith.

The Mirror uncovered claims of a cover-up when one of Tony Blair’s ministers was suspected of being part of a child sex ring in Lambeth, South London, in the 1980s.

Scotland Yard is investigating.

Retired detective Clive Driscoll says he was stopped from investigating the Labour star in 1998 after he named the politician as a suspect.

In 2012 Operation Fairbank was launched to look into claims that there was a paedophile ring with links to government in response to information passed on by Labour MP Tom Watson.

Mr Watson used parliamentary privilege to allege that a file of evidence used to convict Peter Righton of importing child pornography in 1992 contained “clear intelligence” of a sex abuse gang linked to Number 10.

Last month documents emerged showing spy chiefs warned the Thatcher government in the 1980s that claims an MP had a “penchant for small boys” risked causing embarrassment.

Newly uncovered files show former MI5 director general Sir Antony Duff wrote to the then Cabinet Secretary Sir Robert Armstrong in 1986 over claims made by two sources about the MP.

Others named in secret files included Brittan, Thatcher aide Peter Morrison, former diplomat Peter Hayman and ex-minister William van Straubenzee.

In 2012, Operation Fairbank was set up in response to information passed on by Labour MP Tom Watson over an alleged child sex ring linked to government.

Fairbank spawned more inquiries.

Operation Midland is probing claims of a VIP paedophile ring in the 1970s and 80s.

Fernbridge is looking at allegations linked to the Elm Guest House in Barnes, South West London, during the 1980s.

Cayacos is probing cases linked to the Paedophile Information Exchange.

Lord Janner is to face a prosecution for child sex offences after Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders was forced into a U-turn.

An independent review overturned Ms Saunders’ controversial decision that the former Labour peer should face no action over child abuse allegations because he is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

It's an old article, but my, how these things persist.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22288683 (040242ZJAN25) Notable: Final Covid and Other Pestilence Bun / Flu outbreak batters Scotland as 'extraordinary' level of cases reported

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277792 Final Covid and Other Pestilence Bun

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/flu-outbreak-batters-scotland-extraordinary-34414356

Flu outbreak batters Scotland as 'extraordinary' level of cases reported

Scottish Government Health Secretary Neil Gray warned that Scottish hospitals were under huge pressure due to rising level of flu amid calls for those with symptoms to stay at home.

David Walker

3 JAN 2025

Scotland is being battered by a flu epidemic with soaring levels of cases and hospitals being flooded with patients. It has led to calls for those with symptoms like a cough or a runny nose to stay at home, and anyone who is valid for a vaccine should be taking advantage of this.

Experts even called the surge "extraordinary" as hospital emissions caused by influenza increased by 12% in just a week. Public Health Scotland confirmed that prevalence was at 52.6 per 100,000 of the population in the week leading up to December 29.

In the same week, 1,537 patients were taken to hospital as a result of the flu outbreak, compared to 1,375 the previous week. And the number of positive tests also rose slightly from 2,823 to 2,886, slowing from earlier in the summer.

According to a report from PHS on Friday, a “substantial number of well-vaccinated” care homes have faced outbreaks, but thus far “only a small number of deaths have been reported”. SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray warned that the NHS continues to face "significant" pressures due partly to the rise in flu cases.

Hospitals across the country were already struggling due to lack of forward planning by the Scottish Government but have now been stretched to breaking point. In December, ambulances were spotted piled up outside both Glasgow and Aberdeen's main hospital due to an influx of patients.

Mr Gray said: "The NHS continues to face significant winter pressures, including cases of Influenza A, which remain very high. I am enormously grateful to all those working in health and social care settings for their extraordinary efforts over the busy festive period. I was encouraged to hear about the collaborative working right across the system, with strong leadership and staff supporting each other.

“I want to thank the public, too, for taking heed of messages about accessing the right care in the right place, and taking steps to help slow the spread of infection. It is important for everyone to be familiar with the different resources available, including NHS Inform’s online tools that can help you to get appropriate health advice as quickly as possible.”

The Health Secretary added that all those eligible for vaccinations should take up the offer. His calls were echoed by Dr Nick Phin, the Director of Clinical Protecting Health at PHS, who also warned that those exhibiting symptoms should stay at home.

He said: “Although we always expect to see increases in flu in winter, we are seeing particularly high levels this year. This is worrying as flu can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation, and even death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.

“Vaccination offers the best protection against serious illness from flu. If you’re eligible for a flu, or COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not too late to take up the offer and get protected. In many areas, drop-in clinics are running. Check your local health board website or social channels for local arrangements or you can call the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

“We urge everyone to do what they can to reduce flu, and other respiratory infections, being spread to others. If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and feel unwell, or have a fever, stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Visit NHS.inform to get advice on your symptoms and what to do next.

“We can all help to prevent infections, like flu, from spreading by maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene. This includes covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, disposing of tissues responsibly, and promptly washing your hands afterwards."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22288745 (040255ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / SNP Government rack up £1.7m bill on flights as ministers jet abroad to 'promote independence'

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-rack-up-17m-34408623

SNP Government rack up £1.7m bill on flights as ministers jet abroad to 'promote independence'

The Scottish Government has been accused of 'free spending' public cash by sending officials and ministers abroad repeatedly and racking up huge bills.

David Walker

3 JAN 2025

The Scottish Government has been accused of wasting £1.7m of taxpayer cash on flights in just five years. This is despite SNP Ministers attempting to cut down carbon emissions and pushing for net zero, as well as not having any powers to make deals with foreign countries.

It comes during a testing time for the Nationalist Executive where Ministers have been accused of enjoying freebies on the public purse, including alleged misuse of the ministerial limo service. There have also been financial issues suffered by the government in recent years, resulting in a spate of cuts.

Freedom of information requests by the Scottish Tories found that last year alone over £500,000 was spent by government staff on domestic and international travel on a whopping 1,766 flights. It is believed that this is a record number of plane journeys although records are not available for all years.

It has led to accusations that the SNP are "free spending" with taxpayers' money and questions over whether it was "value for money." 'Air Miles' Angus Robertson is the Minister who most regularly flies abroad due to his External Affairs brief, enjoying trips to the Euros in Germany and New York last year.

From 2020 until October 2024, Scottish Government staff had 5,363 flights, costing £1,486,937. But this figure doesn't include ministerial travel because that information is published in a separate document.

In less than five years, SNP Ministers spent over £250,000 on domestic and international flights, with the exact number of flights being unknown as the travel logs do not make clear if they are direct or not.

The Scottish Tories blasted the waste of cash built up over the years by the Scottish Government, with Shadow Transport Secretary Sue Webber pointing out that "hard-pressed Scots will question why SNP ministers have spent so much on flights in recent years."

She added: "It is a classic example of the SNP being free spending with taxpayers’ money and comes soon after the scandal surrounding Neil Gray’s use of the ministerial limo to watch his favourite football team. Taking so many trips abroad shows the SNP are spending money on an issue which is clearly reserved to Westminster.

“We know that many of these journeys are used to promote the SNP’s obsession with Scottish independence, which clearly does not deliver value for money for taxpayers. SNP ministers should show some common sense and restrict the number of flights they are taking at a time when Scots are continuing to pay more and get less under them.”

The Scottish Government is also mulling the introduction of an air departure tax, which was proposed by the Scottish Greens. However, officials have failed to agree an exemption for the Islands and Highlands from the Treasury, which has held up the plans.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Travel is an essential part of official Government business. All travel bookings are made with sustainability and cost effectiveness in mind. International travel allows Ministers to promote Scotland, build relationships and boost investment - including emphasising the Scottish Government’s role in working with partners to support Scottish companies. This activity builds and maintains vital links in relation to trade and investment which is key to growing the economy.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22288817 (040308ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Anger as papers show SNP ministers didn't discuss Lockerbie bomber release in Cabinet

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277705 Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/anger-papers-show-snp-ministers-34399943

Anger as papers show SNP ministers didn't discuss Lockerbie bomber release in Cabinet

The decision announced by Kenny MacAskill in August 2009 caused fury in the USA, which was amplified when Megrahi arrived back in Libya to a hero's welcome... but it was never officially discussed

Craig Paton & Ben Borland

1 JAN 2025

The release of the Lockerbie bomber was not discussed by the SNP Cabinet ahead of a final decision being made, it has been revealed.

The National Records of Scotland has released confidential documents from 2009, which includes the time when the decision was taken to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.

The former Libyan intelligence officer was the only man convicted over the atrocity, which killed 270 people when PanAm flight 103 exploded over Dumfries and Galloway on December 21, 1988.

All 259 passengers and crew travelling to the US and 11 people on the ground were killed in what remains Britain’s deadliest terrorist attack. Megrahi was later diagnosed with prostate cancer while serving his sentence in Scotland.

According to newly released documents, no formal discussion was held among the Cabinet, which included then Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and then First Minister Alex Salmond as well as the current First Minister John Swinney.

Only sparse mentions of Megrahi are made, according to minutes, including an acknowledgement by then Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill of an application received by the Libyan government of Muammar Gaddafi for Megrahi’s release.

“Mr MacAskill said that on behalf of Scottish ministers, he was considering the formal application made by the Libyan government on May 5 2009 for the transfer of Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi under the terms of the prisoner transfer agreement between the UK and Libya,” the papers said in June that year.

In a Cabinet meeting on August 18 - two days before the public announcement of the decision release the prisoner - the papers read: “Mr MacAskill said that he is expected to be in a position to make a statement in relation to the prisoner transfer application and the application for compassionate release in the near future.”

Megrahi was released on August 20, hours after the announcement, and flown back to Tripoli, where he received a hero’s welcome which enraged people in the UK and the US.

Holyrood was recalled from its summer recess to discuss the case, with Mr MacAskill defending his decision, despite criticism from the families of victims. It took three years for Megrahi to die of the cancer which it was claimed in 2009 could kill him within months.

Mr MacAskill, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on the anniversary of the bombing a few weeks ago, said: “We do have rules for compassionate release which exist in Scotland. It is dealt with by medical experts, the report came in that he had a prognosis of three months. It was on that basis I released him.

“He was no threat to Scotland, he was a sick man, he lived considerably longer than the prognosis but I think there is reasons for that.”

He added: “I followed the values and laws we uphold in Scotland and sent him home to see out the rest of his life.”

The new information comes as another man is due to stand trial in the US in relation to the attack. Abu Agila Masud will face a jury and Mr MacAskill said he believes he too will be found guilty.

“I have always believed [Masud] is the bomber,” he said. “He was always viewed as the man who was the bomber because of his, what you might call, military skills, so he has been taken by the United States, Libya handed him over.

“He has returned and will face trial in America, I believe he will be convicted, and he is the bomber.”

Megrahi did not have the skills for the bombing, but that does not mean he was not involved in some capacity, Mr MacAskill said. Masud faces three charges, all of which he denies.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22288851 (040315ZJAN25) Notable: Final Royals Bun / Prince Andrew could 'bring Royal Family down with him' as King Charles faces crisis

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>>282408

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-andrew-could-bring-royal-34414789

Prince Andrew could 'bring Royal Family down with him' as King Charles faces crisis

The Duke of York was forced back into hiding after one of his 'close confidants' was banned from entering the UK after being accused of being a Chinese spy, with this scandal bringing the Royal Family's finances scrutiny once again.

David Walker

3 JAN 2025

The latest scandal to engulf Prince Andrew could be big enough to "bring down the Royal Family" an expert has claimed. The Duke of York was forced back into hiding at the end of 2024 after his close relationship with an alleged Chinese spy came to light as he was described as a "close confidant" of Yang Tengbo.

He was banned from the UK after being accused of spying for China and of developing relationships with politicians to be "leveraged" by the hostile state. He also formed an "unusual degree of trust" with Andrew, with this coming to light in December when a Special Immigration Appeals Tribunal upheld a Home Office order banning him from the UK on national security grounds following a long-running legal battle.

It was another setback for Andrew who stepped back from the public eye and royal duties after a humiliating interview with Emily Maitlis about his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2019. He was absent from King Charles' Christmas gathering at Sandringham.

Now fears have been raised that the Chinese spy scandal could be fatal for trust in the Royal Family as it deals with his murky finances. He is reportedly having his life bankrolled by a mysterious benefactor and mystery surrounds how much money he has made as a businessman and diplomat.

Mr Tengbo was even invited to the Duke's birthday party in 2020 and supported him through the Epstein scandal, meaning he had access to royals and royal property. Andrew Lownie, royal biographer, told The Sun's Royal Exclusive show: "It's probably the most damaging of Andrew's scandals. It's more damaging than Epstein. I think the story is going to run right through next year.

"He's always been much more vulnerable to the financial scandals in his life than the sexual ones. It's going to have to lead to greater transparency about royal finances.This has unlocked a whole series of events that I think are going to be very damaging to the monarchy. It's the tip of the iceberg."

"When those stories come out, I think he's going to be complete toast. The danger is that he's going to bring the royal family down with him." It adds to claims from another royal insider that Andrew's ongoing scandals had been a source of distress for King Charles.

They said: "The Duke of York is becoming a lump in the throat for the King Charles, who's already facing health and other crisis within the family. It's has been difficult for the monarch to get rid of the disgraced royal."

Royal expert Phil Dampier also shared a similar opinion about how damning the scandal could be for Andrew and his family. He told the Sun: "By allowing a Chinese spy inside royal residences like Windsor and Buckingham Palace he endangered the security of the whole Royal Family and the institution of the monarchy."

Mr Lownie also called for a state investigation, by parliamentary committee, into the relationship between the Duke and Mr Tengbo. He said: "We need to have a register of royal interests, which was explored several years ago, like the parliamentary register… they would have to declare, in effect, their business activities. There was meant to be a list of royal gifts, but that hasn’t followed."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22293687 (050136ZJAN25) Notable: 'BIG MISTAKE' Donald Trump launches blistering attack on UK Government over North Sea

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/14113510/donald-trump-attack-government-north-sea-oil/

'BIG MISTAKE' Donald Trump launches blistering attack on UK Government over North Sea

It comes amid a warning from North Sea industry chiefs

Chris Musson

3 Jan 2025

DONALD Trump today tore into the UK Government’s anti-oil stance and urged Labour ministers to “open up the North Sea”.

The US President-elect used his social media platform Truth Social to launch a fresh attack on offshore windfarms - following his feud with SNP chiefs over turbines near his Aberdeenshire golf resort.

The blast came after the controversial extension of the windfall tax on oil and gas profits and a ban on new drilling licences brought in by Labour after it won power.

Mr Trump’s attack will be seen as his first major criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s government, which is seeking to build relations with the new president amid fears of crippling trade tariffs when he returns to power.

The post came as he posted a link to details on the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce website about a major oil firm announcing plans to exit the North Sea due to the windfall tax, officially known as the Energy Profits Levy.

Mr Trump said: “The U.K. is making a very big mistake. Open up the North Sea. Get rid of Windmills!”

We told in November how US-based Apache - which employs nearly 500 workers in Scotland - said it would end its operations in 2029 as production beyond that point would be “uneconomic”.

The firm blamed the impact of the Energy Profits Levy, which was hiked from 35 per cent to 38 per cent and extended for a year until March 2030 in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s October Budget.

North Sea industry chiefs had warned of job losses if they were squeezed further.

The Truth Social post also saw Mr Trump reignite his feud over offshore windfarms.

Before his first term as president, Mr Trump famously fought - and lost - a long-running court battle with the Scottish Government over plans for a windfarm which he said would spoil the view from his Menie resort in Aberdeenshire.

The case went all the way to the UK Supreme Court in 2015 after ministers granted permission for 11 turbines in the sea.

At the time, Alex Salmond - a former pal of Mr Trump - branded him “three times a loser”, due to Mr Trump having been defeated twice in Scottish courts before the final appeal.

But the Trump Organisation hit back and said: “Does anyone care what this man thinks? He’s a has-been and totally irrelevant”

In 2019, judges ruled Mr Trump's Aberdeenshire golf resort must pay the Scottish Government's legal costs.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22299790 (060159ZJAN25) Notable: Law and Disorder Bun Part One / Former top sheriff admits making sexual & racist comments after forgetting to turn mic off on video call

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>>282415

With all this grooming gang scandal and Elon Musk commenting on them it is a timely reminder to you all why they are allowed to get away with it.remember this?

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/11479124/lockerbie-bomber-alastair-duff-edinburgh-court-guilty/

SICK OUTBURST Former top sheriff admits making sexual & racist comments after forgetting to turn mic off on video call

Duff once represented Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi in court

Thomas Brown

6 Nov 2023

A TOP sheriff was caught making vile sexual and racist remarks about ‘school uniform' porn while in an online meeting with colleagues.

Alastair Duff - who once represented the Lockerbie bomber - was running a training event via video link when he made the disgusting comments.

It’s claimed Duff - a former advocate who was previously the director of the Judicial Institute of Scotland - didn’t know his microphone was on at the time.

The 69-year-old made the remarks in a separate phone conversation to an unknown man during a lunch break in a WebEx training course for justices of the peace.

His comments were reported to police, who established he had been speaking to a man who was watching pornography.

Duff - who retired weeks after the incident - was fined £1,275 after pleading guilty during a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

The court heard that he had been at home in Edinburgh while delivering training on the course in October 2021.

After returning early from a lunch break, three of the participants overheard Duff making remarks, while apparently on a phone call.

The shamed lawman was heard saying: “Do you like to see a wee one bend over and struggle in school shoes wearing white socks and cotton pants.

“With pale skin and dark skin.

“Wee p***. Lucky c*.”

When he realised his microphone was on, Duff said “oh, sh**”.

Three of the justices of the peace were so concerned by the comments that they contacted the police.

A police investigation revealed that Duff had been speaking to a man in Leven, Fife, who has since died.

A search of the unnamed man’s computer showed he had been watching adult pornography of a male and female dressed in school uniforms having sex.

Officers also raided Duff’s home in the capital and a second home in Elie, Fife, that he owns with his wife Susan - who is also a sheriff.

Thirteen devices were seized by officers but nothing illegal was found.

Today, his defence counsel, John Scullion KC, told Sheriff Douglas Keir that Duff is “ashamed” of his actions.

He said: “The man on the phone was viewing legal adult pornography and the comments were crass and offensive to the small group of individuals.

“But it’s my submission that there was not a significant sexual element.

“A 69-year-old man making a comment about legal porn doesn’t create a risk to the wider population.

“He is embarrassed and ashamed.”

He added that his client’s lengthy career had “ended in ignominy”, stating: “A reputation built over decades was destroyed in seconds. He had only himself to blame and the personal cost should not be underestimated.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Keir said: “I have listened to the submissions carefully. By pleading guilty you accept your disgusting comments caused fear and alarm.

“I accept that there was not a significant sexual element.

“I will fine you £1,200 reduced from £1,800 due to your early plea.”

Duff became a solicitor in 1977 and was a prosecutor before switching in 1981 to work as a criminal defence brief.

He acted for Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, who was convicted in 2001 of blowing up PanAm flight 103 over the Dumfriesshire town in 1988 and murdering 270 people.

Duff was appointed sheriff at Dundee in 2004, then named Director of the Judicial Institute for Scotland in 2014.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22305185 (062306ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Blood on their hands! Elon Musk shares Scottish Daily Express exclusive on SNP's rape gang shame

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>>282430

>>>/qresearch/22304856

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/blood-hands-elon-musk-shares-34428632

Blood on their hands! Elon Musk shares Scottish Daily Express exclusive on SNP's rape gang shame

The tech billionaire has doubled down on his social media battle with the UK Government over its decision to block a public inquiry into grooming gangs, asking X users if America should 'liberate Britain' from Labour

John Glover

6 JAN 2025

Elon Musk has retweeted the Scottish Daily Express's exclusive about the ongoing failure to take tough criminal action against grooming gangs in Glasgow.

The billionaire, who is waging war against Sir Keir Starmer's UK Government on the issue, used his social media platform X to share the investigation examining how criminals and their victims were treated in Scotland.

An X user called 'Basil the Great' posted a screenshot of our story and said: "It's the same in Scotland as the rest of the UK They sold their souls to fund a multi-cultural nirvana that only existed in their heads. They all have blood on their hands."

Musk replied: "They do." He has joined Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to lead the charge for a full public inquiry into how the mainly ethnic minority criminal gangs were allowed to flourish in mainly English towns and cities.

Our story told how SNP ministers appeared to have failed to act on multiple warnings and recommendations over the past few years. At least three investigations into mainly ethnic minority grooming gangs in Glasgow have been carried out by Police Scotland, but no major trial of multiple suspects at once has ever taken place.

In October 2020, Barnardo's and the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) published the first-ever national report into the scope of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Scotland.

The two-year study focused exclusively on children in care and Barnardo's said "we have no way of knowing the true scale and nature of CSE" in the wider population. There were 15 recommendations in total for the Scottish Government, the police, councils, and the SCRA, with SNP ministers told they must take "overall responsibility."

The special investigation was published days after Labour blocked calls for a UK-wide inquiry into grooming gangs leading to outrage from across the political spectrum as survivors slammed Jess Philips for the "sickening" betrayal.

Musk, who has been appointed to a cost-cutting role by President-elect Donald Trump, doubled down on his criticism of Sir Keir's Labour government and accused him of failing to prosecute child grooming gangs during his time as director of public prosecutions.

In another intervention in Scottish politics, the Tesla owner called out the Scottish Government's £22m spend over the Sheku Bayou inquiry labelling it a "shame, shame, shame" over the investigation into an "obviously violent lunatic", comparing it to the UK Government's refusal to set up an inquiry into "gang rape of innocent little girls".

And now, the tech entrepreneur has claimed today on his social media platform that "Starmer was deeply complicit in the mass rapes in exchange for votes. That's what the inquiry would show."

Remarkably, the billionaire even appears to be pushing for regime change in the UK by launching a poll asking the users of X if "America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government." The poll has already received more than one million votes with the majority of users, so far, in favour.

Meanwhile, First Minister John Swinney has warned that the "populism" represented by Musk and Trump will be allowed to take root in Scotland if opposition parties fail to back the SNP's budget.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22311569 (072327ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / SNP's rape gang shame as ministers ignored calls for urgent action on child groomers

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>>282430

>>>/qresearch/22304856

>>282431

>>>/qresearch/22305353

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snps-rape-gang-shame-ministers-34411626

SNP's rape gang shame as ministers ignored calls for urgent action on child groomers

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: As Elon Musk and Kemi Badenoch lead the charge for an inquiry into how grooming gangs were allowed to flourish, we examine how the criminals and their victims were treated in ScotlandSPECIAL INVESTIGATION: As Elon Musk and Kemi Badenoch lead the charge for an inquiry into how grooming gangs were allowed to flourish, we examine how the criminals and their victims were treated in Scotland

The SNP Government is facing questions on what action it has taken to tackle child grooming gangs.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to launch a public inquiry into the failures that allowed ethnic minority rape gangs to flourish in English towns and cities.

An investigation by the Daily Express shows such harrowing abuse does not stop at the border. Shockingly, it appears Scottish ministers have failed to act on multiple warnings and recommendations.

In October 2020, Barnardo's and the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) published the first ever national report into the scope of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Scotland.

The two-year study focused exclusively on children in care and Barnardo's said "we have no way of knowing the true scale and nature of CSE" in the wider population.

The first recommendation of the report was that the Scottish Government must invest in a nationwide, multi-agency prevalence study "as a matter of urgency".

Barnardo's and the SCRA found CSE cases in 27 of Scotland's 32 council areas involving children from "island, rural and urban areas". In towns and cities, the 'party flat' model was the most common method employed by rapists and in the countryside abusers exploited the lack of public transportation by offering lifts to young people.

Researchers examined the cases of 213 children in the care system and found that 74 were victims or "likely victims" of CSE, including 53 girls and 21 boys. The youngest was 11 years old.

Alarmingly, the study found that victim-blaming was widespread in the Children's Hearing system with multiple references to "risky sexual behaviour" and other euphemisms for children who were being raped by adults.

In total, there were 15 recommendations for the Scottish Government, the police, councils and the SCRA, with SNP ministers told they must take "overall responsibility".

Being raped by an adult is a 'red flag'

Despite the call for an urgent end to victim blaming, the Scottish Government continues to tell police and social workers to look out for "harmful sexual behaviour" by children. While in many cases, this involves actions by one child towards another, the definition also includes abuse "in the context of gangs" and "child sexual exploitation".

Guidance published in April 2024 states that a young person "having sex with strangers (adults)" should be regarded as a "red flag" for "unsafe" behaviour that "might" involve abuse or exploitation.

Alarmingly, the Scottish Government's National Child Sexual Exploitation Group was disbanded after its final report was published in July 2020. It was set up in 2016 with the aim of making Scotland "a place where sexual exploitation of children and young people is eliminated".

However, the final report acknowledges "that it is reasonable to expect that the extent and circumstances of child abuse will be similar in Scotland to the rest of the UK". It included 44 actions for the Scottish Government and others to take.

The group was set up after two major police investigations into grooming gangs operating in and around Glasgow, codenamed Operation Dash and Operation Cotswold.

Cotswold, launched in 2011, identified at least 26 victims in the city, before it was expanded into Dash which involved 12 councils and four health boards across the west of Scotland.

At least 27 men were reported to the Crown Office, with senior officers admitting that a "significant proportion" were from ethnic minority communities. However, there has never been a large-scale grooming gang trial where multiple offenders were brought before the courts at the same time.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22311577 (072328ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / SNP's rape gang shame as ministers ignored calls for urgent action on child groomers

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>>282433

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The only named culprit was Afghan asylum seeker Javaid Akhond, jailed for six years in October 2014 when he was 20 years old for preying on young girls at a flat in the city.

Also in 2014, the Express revealed that child protection officials repeatedly vetoed a Significant Case Review into the widespread abuse uncovered by detectives. The following year, a document called 'The Rotherham Report - Implications for Glasgow' warned that abuse by grooming gangs was "day to day practice" in the city.

It was prepared by Moira McKinnon, who was later appointed head of the National Child Exploitation Group that was disbanded in 2020.

Also in 2020, the Express revealed the existence of a THIRD police investigation into ethnic minority grooming gangs in Glasgow, called Operation Cerrar. All of the 55 suspects were from the Kurdish, Afghani, Egyptian, Moroccan, Turkish, Pakistani or Iraqi communities.

The gang had at least 44 victims, including a core group of six youngsters. Police believed one girl was targeted by as many as 28 different men. Cerrar took place in 2016 and was kept under wraps for years.

Some 19 men were reported to the Crown Office, although again no large-scale trial of multiple suspects has ever taken place, with 14 being deported. It is not clear what action was ever taken about the rest of the gang.

At the time, our report – published at the end of January 2020 – was overshadowed by global events including the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK's departure from the EU and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to quit the Royal Family.

In the same way, the damning Barnardo's/SCRA report – published in October 2020 – also received minimal coverage due to the pandemic which was then approaching the start of the deadly second wave.

The Scottish Government is now being urged to explain how many of the recommendations and actions had been completed over the past four years. In particular, the "urgent" call for research into the scale of the problem outwith the care system (where CSE appears to be endemic).

According to figures seen by the Express, child sexual exploitation has been identified as a "concern" at 635 separate hearings for children placed on the Child Protection Register since 2016. This peaked in 2019 when 149 cases were raised and again in 2021 with 139 cases.

'Ministers must be proactive'

In response to our findings, Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr is planning to lodge a series of parliamentary questions at Holyrood.

He said: “It is vital that the SNP Government has acted upon these recommendations from Barnardos to ensure children are protected. The responsibility for protecting vulnerable young victims lies with SNP ministers and this Government must be proactive.”

The Scottish Government said: “We recognise the devastating impact that child sexual abuse and exploitation has on children and families, which is why we are taking forward work to ensure that children are protected from harm.”

A spokesman added that a new ‘Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation National Strategic Group’ had been set up in recent weeks. It met for the first time on November 18 and again on December 11.

He said: “The Group brings together key stakeholders including social work, police, health and education, local authority representatives, expert practitioners, charities, and research and academics.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22316148 (081726ZJAN25) Notable: Abuse Bun Part One / Men on secret 1970s pro-paedophile list could still work with children today

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277791 Final Abuse Bun

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq62dp092nzo

Men on secret 1970s pro-paedophile list could still work with children today

In Dark Corners podcast team

BBC Radio 4 and BBC News

Published

8 hours ago

A secret list of more than 300 people who belonged to a network that called publicly for the legalisation of sex with children has been handed to the BBC.

A small number of those named on the list may still have contact with children through paid work or volunteering, the BBC has discovered.

They were all members of a group called the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE).

The Metropolitan Police had the list for about 20 years from the late 1970s, a BBC Radio 4 podcast team has been told.

Spread across several dozen pages, with a pink cover page added by police in the early 1980s, the typed list contains 316 names - all but a handful men, most with addresses alongside.

Most PIE members were based in the UK - but there are also details of people in other parts of western Europe, Australia and the US.

The BBC has established that a small number of the men are still alive and may currently be in contact with, or have care of, children through paid work or volunteering. The BBC has found no evidence any of them has carried out abuse.

The Met told us it was unable to provide specific information about its historical investigations into the Paedophile Information Exchange - but will still investigate crimes if sufficient evidence exists and alleged perpetrators are still alive.

PIE was formed in 1974 - when the country was going through rapid transformative social change. Its leaders sought to further their cause by attempting to align themselves with feminist, anti-racist and gay rights movements. It was not an illegal organisation and cost £4 a year to join, and to receive its members' magazine.

Over a decade, PIE spokesmen gave interviews to the media arguing that adults and children had a human right to have sex with each other. Four years old, they argued, was an age at which most children could give consent.

However, while PIE's leaders may have been happy to speak publicly, the names of rank-and-file members were very much kept secret.

The list - and dozens of other documents relating to PIE members - were given to the BBC team and journalist Alex Renton, who has written extensively about historical institutional child sexual abuse and presents the BBC podcast, In Dark Corners.

We then searched for the names in media archives, crime reports and death register listings from the past 50 years.

They found records or further information for 45% of the people on the list - with a reasonable degree of certainty - and discovered that half of them had been convicted or cautioned (or had been charged and died before trial) for sexual offences against children. Charges included distributing abuse images, kidnap and rape.

In Dark Corners

A mysterious membership list for a defunct pro-paedophile group arrives in journalist Alex Renton's inbox.

Listen now on BBC Sounds - or on BBC Radio 4 at 09:30 on Wednesday 8 January

Listen on Sounds

Of the small number of men who may still be in contact with children professionally, none has any criminal conviction that the BBC has been able to find - meaning they could have passed in-depth background checks when applying for jobs.

Those men are part of a wider group of nearly 70 on the list, who the BBC team has identified as having been in work likely to bring them into contact with minors.

Teachers make up half that group - work addresses are typed alongside some of the names on the list. The rest include social workers, sports coaches, youth workers, doctors, clergy, lay preachers and military officers involved in youth activities.

The podcast team tried to contact all those people still alive and working - most of whom are believed to be living in the UK.

One claimed his name was on the list because of PIE's links in the 1970s with a gay youth support group.

A second admitted he had been a member, but only because he had agreed with PIE that the disparity in the age of consent laws was unjust. Men in England and Wales had to be 21 to have sex with other men prior to 1994 - when the legal age was lowered to 18. Six years later it was reduced to 16, in line with straight sex. The man told the BBC he was not and never had been a paedophile.

A third man, currently teaching children in a private school outside of the UK, refused to speak any further after PIE was mentioned to him.

No-one else has so far responded to approaches by the BBC.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22316160 (081727ZJAN25) Notable: Abuse Bun Part One / Men on secret 1970s pro-paedophile list could still work with children today

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>>282437

..........................................................................................................continued.....................................................................................................

The BBC team obtained the PIE list from a former senior social worker - Peter McKelvie - who handed over a shopping bag full of historical documents, letters, internal memos and old newspaper cuttings spanning three decades.

Through his work, Mr McKelvie had started seeing connections between child abusers in the information he collected through his work - but gradually became frustrated about the abilities of police or social services to stop paedophile networks.

The PIE list came into his possession in 1998. Until then, for about 20 years, it had been in the hands of the Metropolitan Police's Obscene Publications Unit, known internally as "The Dirty Squad".

The former officer who handed it over, Dave Flanagan, told the BBC he believed the list may originally have been seized in a police raid in the late 1970s.

The document given to the BBC has scribbled notes in the margins - and Mr Flanagan, a detective constable at the time, says he wrote some of them.

He also attached and dated the pink cover page - as he and colleagues added more up-to-date PIE intelligence during the 1980s.

Police raided plenty of people on the list, he says - but, on its own, it was unusable as information for a search warrant.

"You couldn't go in front of a magistrate and say: 'Look, we believe he's a paedophile. We believe there'll be indecent photographs of children because he's on the PIE list.'"

Legally, being a member of a pro-paedophile group didn't make someone a sex offender.

Police did manage to close in on PIE in the early 1980s - focusing on three senior members who all had links to contact adverts in the members' magazine, Magpie.

The men were prosecuted under a 17th Century law of "conspiracy to corrupt public morals". Two received conditional discharges, while the third was jailed for two years.

Publicly, PIE ceased to exist in 1984.

Dave Flanagan says his team's detective work on the membership list also ground to a halt.

"Information was passed to other police forces and they did what they did with it - we had no control over any of that."

The BBC understands the PIE list was digitised in 1994 by a police team that no longer exists. The National Crime Agency, which was formed in 2013 and whose officers deal with child abuse cases, told us it has "no knowledge of receiving the [digitised] list".

Dave Flanagan kept the original in his briefcase until he retired in 1998, when he handed it to Peter McKelvie.

Mr McKelvie told the BBC that over the past 30 years he had pushed police, a Labour MP and a Conservative government minister to look at PIE members linked to social services and special schools, but without success.

He wrote to the Department of Health in 1993 outlining his concerns. His letter began: "The infiltration of the social work profession by paedophiles appears to be an extensive and serious problem..."

He suggested the formation of a specialist team of social workers and police to track down every member of PIE working in social care. The letter got no response, he says.

The Department for Health and Social Care told the BBC it could not comment on "individual historic cases".

On Monday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those who cover up or fail to report child sexual abuse could face professional or criminal sanctions under a new offence to be introduced this year.

The proposal was one of 20 recommendations made by Prof Alexis Jay following her seven-year inquiry into child sex abuse, which concluded in 2022. The Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), external was set up in response to concerns that some organisations had failed to protect children.

In a statement, Det Supt Nicola Franklin, from the Met's Central Specialist Command, said the force was "committed to tackling" paedophilia, "an abhorrent crime".

"If anyone has information that should be shared with police we would urge them to do so. Despite the passage of time, we will still investigate provided sufficient evidence exists to do so and the perpetrator is still alive."

Reporting team: Alex Renton, Caitlin Smith, Gillian Wheelan, Gail Champion

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22322622 (091619ZJAN25) Notable: Scottish Tory MSP Oliver Mundell to step down from Holyrood next year

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-tory-msp-oliver-mundell-34451967#source=breaking-news

Scottish Tory MSP Oliver Mundell to step down from Holyrood next year

The Dumfriesshire representative confirmed that he would not be seeking re-election to the Scottish Parliament when voters go to the polls in 2026.

David Walker

9 JAN 2025

A Scottish Tory MSP has announced that he is standing down as an MSP at next year's Scottish Parliament Election. Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell confirmed that he would not be seeking re-election to Holyrood in 2026, becoming the first Conservative to do so.

The 35-year-old has held the constituency since 2016, becoming one of the youngest politicians elected when he took the seat away from Scottish Labour. He has been appointed to numerous front-bench positions during his time in parliament, including in the education and tourism portfolios.

But Mr Mundell is quitting frontline politics, insisting that it has been a "great privilege" to represent his home area for the best part of a decade. His replacement will need to fend off a surging SNP, Labour and Reform who are looking to make an impact when Scots go to the polls in 2026.

He said he wanted to be "fully upfront" about his plans so the Tories could complete the selection process to appoint a new candidate. He is the son of the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale David Mundell, the former Scottish Secretary - and took the seat from Labour's Elaine Murray in 2016.

Five years later in 2021 he retained it with an increased majority over the senior SNP politician Joan McAlpine. He has quit the Tory front-bench twice, once for disagreeing with the UK Government shutting the border for travel during Covid and then for personal reasons.

Mr Mundell is married with two children and said that he wanted to spend more time with his family and seek "fresh challenges" in his working life. He said: “It is a great privilege to represent my home area in the Scottish Parliament and I will continue to focus fully on that until the end of my term of office but I feel that it is only right to be fully upfront about my plans and to give my party time to complete a selection process to appoint a new candidate.”

One of his main highlights of his time in office was the creation of South of Scotland Enterprise and its positive effect on the region. He also shot to fame after being ejected from the Holyrood Chamber after insisting Nicola Sturgeon "lied to parliament" over the Alex Salmond inquiry.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22322675 (091624ZJAN25) Notable: Initial Humza Yousaf Bun / Humza Yousaf to step down as MSP at next election

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>>282439

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2ld7je8x2lo

Humza Yousaf to step down as MSP at next election

Angus Cochrane

BBC Scotland News

Published

17 December 2024

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf is to stand down as an MSP at the 2026 Holyrood election.

The ex-SNP leader has been a backbencher since resigning as first minister in May.

In a letter to his successor, John Swinney, Yousaf said the next election would be the "right time" to move on from parliament.

The Glasgow Pollok MSP, who replaced Nicola Sturgeon in March 2023, was the UK's first ethnic minority leader of a devolved government and the first Muslim to lead a major UK party.

He quit as first minister and SNP leader following the collapse of the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens.

'A clear message'

In his letter, Yousaf, 39, noted that he will have been an MSP for 15 years by 2026.

He said standing down would "provide an opportunity for the next generation of MSPs to step forward, and to explore where I can best make a contribution in the future, in helping to tackle some of the most pressing challenges our world faces".

The former first minister added: "I hope by becoming the first first minister of colour, and first Muslim leader of a western democratic nation, I have sent a clear message to every young person, of any background, who aspires to get involved in public service that you do belong and are just as deserving of opportunity as anyone else."

After leaving office, Yousaf said terminating the power-sharing agreement with the Greens was his mistake, and that he "underestimated" the level of hurt caused by his decision.

He also said he should have offered leadership rival Kate Forbes a more senior role in his government.

During his time in Bute House, the former SNP leader took a significant early stand on the conflict in Gaza by calling for an immediate ceasefire.

His in-laws were trapped in Gaza for four weeks following Israel's invasion – a period he described as being the most difficult of his life.

In his letter to the first minister, Yousaf said he hoped he "was able to demonstrate leadership during what I view as the moral question of our time".

Yousaf, the son of Pakistani immigrants, has previously questioned whether he and his family have a future in Scotland or the UK due to Islamophobia.

He has also been in a long-running feud with tech billionaire and X owner Elon Musk, with each accusing the other of racism.

Yousaf vowed to continue working hard for his constituents until 2026, and to be a committed campaigner for Scottish independence and the SNP after leaving parliament.

The former first minister said he looked forward to more time with his family, and thanked his wife Nadia for the "sacrifices she has made for our family over the years".

'Pioneer in Scottish politics'

Before becoming first minister, Yousaf spent more than a decade in various ministerial roles, including spells as transport, justice and health secretary.

John Swinney said he was "sorry" Yousaf was stepping down, describing him as a "pioneer in Scottish politics".

The first minister added: "I wish Humza, Nadia and their family much peace together."

Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie described the former first minister's decision to end the power-sharing agreement with his party as a "mistake".

He added: "But even those events never stopped me liking and respecting Humza, and nobody could doubt his commitment to his job or to building a fairer and better Scotland."

The next Scottish Parliament election is scheduled for 2026. However, there is a possibility of a snap election being called before then if the minority SNP administration is unable to pass its budget.

Yousaf had applied for initial vetting to stand as an SNP candidate in 2026, though the formal selection process will not start until next year.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22325561 (100044ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Shamed ex-MP who sexually harassed teen lands top job bankrolled by Scots Government

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277794 Final Government Bloat, Waste, and Abuse Bun

>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277798 Final Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part Two

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/patrick-grady-lands-top-job-bankrolled-by-scots-government/

Shamed ex-MP who sexually harassed teen lands top job bankrolled by Scots Government

Stephen Stewart & Marion Scott

January 6, 2025

A former SNP MP who ­sexually harassed a teenage staff member has landed a top job with an international development charity bankrolled by the Scottish Government.

Patrick Grady, who was ­previously suspended from the SNP for six months, has been appointed head of policy and communications for Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SIDA).

Grady was suspended from the Commons for two days in June 2022 after a Westminster standards watchdog ruled he had breached its sexual misconduct policy by “touching and stroking” the ­teenager’s neck, hair and back.

The SNP was accused of dragging its feet over dealing with Grady, and he remains close friends with some senior figures in the party.

Last night Grady’s young victim hit out at his appointment – as did one opposition politician, who said he had “waltzed back into a top job”.

SIDA is a registered charity that helps organisations and individuals involved in international development, with most of its core costs covered by the Scottish Government.

It also receives funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and from members who pay an annual subscription.

Grady’s victim, a young ­political researcher who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I’m surprised to hear that an organisation such as Scotland’s International Development Alliance, which claims to fight injustice and strive for a fairer world, appears to have overlooked the significance of Grady’s sexual harassment towards me as a teenager in their vetting process.

“Employing someone with a documented history of inappropriate behaviour towards teenage colleagues sends a troubling message about how seriously they take ­safeguarding and accountability.

“Their decision to employ Patrick Grady calls into question the integrity of their leadership and their commitment to upholding the ­values they claim to represent.”

Grady has apologised in ­Parliament for his behaviour, saying he was “profoundly sorry”. He was readmitted to the party in December 2022.

Despite being ruled out as a ­candidate for the 2024 election, Grady remains on good terms with former senior SNP figures, including former Westminster group leader Ian Blackford.

In September Blackford posted a photograph on social media of himself, Grady and former MP Owen Thompson meeting up in Glasgow, with the comment: “Most enjoyable to meet with good friends and colleagues”.

Last month Grady appeared on the Hansard Society “Parliament Matters” podcast, where he spoke of his regret, saying: “I think most people in their professional lives, you know, have ups and downs, and they have things that they regret and things that they would do differently.”

Grady’s victim added: “Patrick Grady’s actions caused real harm to real people, me included.

“I have worked tirelessly to rebuild my life after his actions destroyed my mental health and ended my career while he was able to continue his.”

In March 2021, Grady stepped aside from his role as Chief Whip after the SNP confirmed it had received a complaint of sexual misconduct against him by a party staff member.

An investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards concluded that Grady had breached Parliament’s Sexual Misconduct Policy by making an unwanted sexual advance towards a junior staff member at a social event in 2016.

In June 2022, the Independent Expert Panel, which determines appeals and sanctions in cases where complaints have been brought against MPs of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, recommended that Grady be suspended from the House of Commons for two days.

Following the suspension, Grady temporarily suspended his SNP membership and sat as an ­independent MP.

He resumed his membership of the SNP Westminster Group in December 2022 after completing a period of suspension.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22325581 (100047ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Shamed ex-MP who sexually harassed teen lands top job bankrolled by Scots Government

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>>282441

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In 2023, it was reported that Grady was not included on the SNP’s approved candidates list for the next general election, rendering him ineligible to stand. He stepped down as an MP ahead of the 2024 UK General Election.

Grady’s profile on the Scottish International Development Alliance website documents how, between 2011 and 2024, he served as the Member of Parliament for Glasgow North, and was active on a range of global justice issues, including chairing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Malawi.

It adds: “As Head of Policy and Communications, Patrick works with members and external stakeholders, acting on opportunities for influence, and leading influencing and communications with key audiences.

“He is also responsible for SIDA’s communications strategy, with a focus on encouraging greater interaction with members and raising awareness of global citizenship with the wider public.”

However, the news of Grady’s appointment was not welcomed by the Scottish Tories.

MSP Annie Wells said: “The brave victim who came forward to report Patrick Grady’s behaviour will be shocked and alarmed that he has waltzed back into a top job, so soon afterwards.

“The SNP handled the whole affair appallingly and even restored the whip to Patrick Grady, despite him being found guilty of sexually harassing a teenage member of staff.

“Given that this organisation is funded by taxpayers’ money and is public facing in what it does, many will wonder if this disgraced former MP is the most appropriate person for such a role.”

Previously, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the victim apologising for Grady’s behaviour and said that she was “very sorry that a member of the SNP Westminster group staff was subjected to an unwanted sexual advance”.

The Scottish Government said: “Scotland’s International Development Alliance is an independent organisation and we have no role in their staffing appointments.”

SIDA was approached for a comment but did not respond.

The victim

The political researcher who suffered at the hands of Patrick Grady insisted the system had utterly failed to adequately hold his tormentor accountable while he has had to rebuild his whole life, including dropping his dream of a career in politics.

He said: “I’m surprised to hear that an organisation such as Scotland’s International Development Alliance, which claims to fight injustice and strive for a fairer world, appears to have overlooked the significance of Grady’s sexual harassment towards me as a teenager, in their vetting process.

“Employing someone with a documented history of inappropriate behaviour towards teenage colleagues, sends a troubling message about how seriously they take safeguarding and accountability.

“Their decision to employ Patrick Grady calls into question the integrity of their leadership and their commitment to upholding the values they claim to represent.”

Recent photographs posted on social media weeks ago by the SNP’s former Westminster leader Ian Blackford show him meeting up socially with Grady and former Midlothian MP Owen Thompson, praising his friends.

Grady’s victim said the post called into question Grady’s close friendships with those who were supposed to be investigating his complaint against the former MP.

He said: “I was disappointed to see the SNP Westminster Leader and Chief Whip, at the time of my complaints, meeting with Grady and posting about it online, causing me further distress.

“Their close relationship calls into question the legitimacy of the SNP’s investigation into my complaint, given Ian and Owen’s prominent roles in party and in handling my complaint.”

And in a political podcast last week, Grady appears laughing and joking about his time as SNP Whip at Westminster.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22325587 (100048ZJAN25) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Shamed ex-MP who sexually harassed teen lands top job bankrolled by Scots Government

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>>282441

>>282442

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When Grady was asked about his suspension over his predatory behaviour he said: “All of that is a matter of record. All of those procedures were put in place for a reason, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme and the Independent Expert Panel, I co-operated fully with all of those procedures

“Everything that happened there is a matter of public record. And as I think I said at the time, I very much hope that I’ve learned lessons from all of that.

“I think most people in their professional lives, you know, have ups and downs, and they have things that they regret and things that they would do differently.

“That’s as true for my time as a member of parliament as it’s true for other aspects of my political career.

“Of course, there are things I would have done very differently if I had my time over, but I’m still very proud to have represented the people of Glasgow North.”

But his victim said: “Patrick Grady’s actions caused real harm to real people, myself included.

“Grady reflecting on his time in office without confronting the human cost of his misconduct feels incomplete and dismissive.

“Despite no support from ICGS, IEP or SNP, I have worked tirelessly to rebuild my life after his actions destroyed my mental health and ended my career, while he was able to continue his.

“It is important to remember that Patrick Grady is the perpetrator, not the victim.

“This whole outcome is a direct consequence of the SNP’s failure to hold Grady meaningfully accountable, creating a pathway for him to re-enter positions of influence without fully addressing the distress and harm he has caused.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22325716 (100111ZJAN25) Notable: Final Ferry Failures Bun / Glen Sannox ferry hits toilets problem just 10 days from entering service

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>>>/qresearch/22228102

>>>277793 Final Ferry Failures Bun

https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/glen-sannox-calmac-ferry-4929827

Glen Sannox ferry hits toilets problem just 10 days from entering service

Alastair Dalton

4th Jan 2025

The hugely-late ferry Glen Sannox has hit new problems just ten days before it is due to enter service with CalMac.

The operator said “minor remedial work” was required on the ship’s sewage system, which is expected to mean planned trial runs with passengers next week are likely to be scrapped, The Scotsman has learned.

It is among several “technical issues” still to be resolved, which are understood to also include adjustments to an electronic system on the ferry’s bridge.

A planned media preview trip on the ferry on Tuesday has been postponed.

The sewage problem means that while the system has been able to handle use of the toilets by the 25-30 CalMac crew involved in ongoing familiarisation tests of the vessel, it would not be able to cope with hundreds of passengers too.

It is not clear whether the system was checked by builders Ferguson Marine and fully working when the shipyard delivered the ferry in November - six-and-a-half years late.

CalMac announced last month that Glen Sannox would officially enter service on its busiest route, to Brodick on Arran, on Monday January 13.

Chief executive Duncan Mackison told The Scotsman at the time he hoped the ship would make its first passenger runs during the previous week to “stress test” the vessel by replacing stand-in ferry Alfred on some sailings from Troon.

He said: “It’s really helpful for us to do it in a live situation with vehicles and passengers.

“We’re really keen that we can just drop her into the timetable - that would happen before January 13.”

However, it is understood this is now unlikely, or would not be until the days immediately before that date.

CalMac has been forced to wait until after the festive holidays to draft in the contractors needed for the remedial work.

A source said: “We can’t guarantee to get everything done by Tuesday, but we don’t see any risk to the vessel entering service on January 13 - there are no concerns about that date slipping.”

Glen Sannox has completed berthing trials in Troon and is now heading to undergo similar tests in Stornoway, Ullapool. Tarbert and Lochmaddy until Monday.

These are in case it needs to be temporarily redeployed if ferries on those routes are out of action or are undergoing annual maintenance.

A CalMac spokesperson told The Scotsman: “As is normal during the early stages of a new build vessel’s operational life, we have a number of technical issues that we are working to resolve before the vessel enters full service.

“In general terms, the issues relate to ancillary systems that are not critical to general vessel operation, hence the ability to conduct network trials this weekend as planned, but are needed for full entry into service.

“The majority of the issues were identified between handover of the vessel and the start of the festive holidays, with the holiday period itself having a negative impact on the availability of external contractors for technical support.

"The sewage system utilises a vacuum system to recover waste when toilets are flushed.

“The system design capacity is specified to fully meet the vessel requirements and requires minor remedial work to ensure the system is operating at full capacity."