/qresearch/ -  Q Research

>>23500501

………………………………………………………………………………………………continued………………………………………………………………………………………………

"A number of people have already come forward, but we would encourage anyone with relevant information to get in touch with the Inquiry's witness support team as soon as possible."

The Inquiry's witness support team can be contacted on 0800 0929 300, or emailed at talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot

>>23499061

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/judge-charge-scottish-child-abuse-35779819

Judge in charge of Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry pockets £2.5million

Lady Smith has been the chair since 2016.

Marcello Mega

23 Aug 2025

A retired judge in charge of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has earned almost £2.5million – while survivors receive an average payout of £52,000.

Lady Smith was made chair of the SCAI in July 2016, with the cost of the probe now more than £100million. But the former judge has become a controversial figure, with survivors accusing her of lenient treatment of private schools where abuse was rife.

The suicide of abuse survivor Kevin Sutherland in December last year also sparked calls for her to quit. Lady Smith refused Kevin’s desperate pleas three times to have his distressing statement removed from the inquiry website or anonymised.

He later took his life. The Daily Record can now reveal Lady Smith’s income for chairing the inquiry from July 2016 stood at almost £2.019million on March 31. When pension contributions are added, Lady Smith had been paid £2.45million.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay hit out at the costs of the probe. He said: "This appears to be yet another lucrative gig for select members of the SNP's quango class.

"Childhood survivors of abuse might question why these people are being handed so much taxpayers’ money to administer this scheme which also attracts ambulance-chasing lawyers wanting a cut.

"Victims may query why they can receive less compensation for their horrendous suffering than the professionals who administer the scheme.

"It's perplexing why such an expensive layer of public sector spending is necessary when similar schemes are based on a tariff model."

>>23504281

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

The Scottish Government was asked about Lady Smith’s earnings and explained she was a sitting judge when appointed and that until she retired in March 2022 her salary had been in line with that of a senior judge.

The Record can also reveal the large salaries being earned by those running the compensation scheme, called Redress Scotland, set up to operate alongside the inquiry.

Since the scheme opened on December 8, 2021, until June 30 this year, 5987 applications had been received for compensation.

The Scottish Government, which is responsible for redress payments, has paid more than £144million to 2768 survivors – an average award of £52,000.

The other 3219 applications to date are being processed or have been passed to Redress Scotland for decision making.

The Scottish Government has sought cash from councils, religious orders and other bodies responsible for kids who were abused, with 25 committing to contributing up to £124million.

Chief executive Joanna McCreadie has received between £110,000 and £120,000 in salary and pension contributions for 2022-23 and 2023-24, with the figures for the most recent year not out until November.

Gary Gallacher, head of operations, received between £100,000 and £120,000 in salary and pension contributions in 2023-24 and £60,000-£70,000 the previous year for only part of the year.

One survivor said going to Redress Scotland for compensation had been difficult. She added: “I wasn’t school-age when I first landed in care and don’t know the name of the first home I was in.

“In my miserable lifetime, there have been several reorganisations of the local government system and many people have not been able to get hold of their social work records, or eventually obtained records that were incomplete.

“Funnily enough, the worse the abuse they suffered, the more likely their files are to have disappeared in whole or in part. Redress Scotland comes along and suddenly we have to prove we were in care before compensation is even considered.”

Redress Scotland has 26 trained panel members, most sitting part-time.

A panel member is paid £390 a day to sit, so someone sitting for two days a week for 45 weeks of the year will earn £35,100.

After three years, their earnings of £105,300 will top the maximum award to a survivor.

Redress Scotland said: “Members are appointed based on expertise in emotional and psychological trauma, law, social work, health or other fields.

“Suitability is determined via a thorough recruitment process and supplemented with an intensive eight-week training programme.”

>>23499069

>>23499063

>>23499066

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/concerns-raised-over-nicola-sturgeons-35777864

Concerns raised over Nicola Sturgeon's murky £586m loan to Sanjeev Gupta as his English business plunges into administration

Both the Scottish and UK Governments have been urged to step in and secure the future of the Dalzell and Clydebridge steel mills after their owner's English business plunged into administration.

David Walker

22 AUG 2025

Concerns have been raised about the future of the last steel mill in Scotland after the tycoon who owns them saw his business in England plunge into administration. Sanjeev Gupta purchased the two steel mills from the Scottish Government in 2016 with the help of a £7m taxpayer-funded loan.

It is understood that workers at Dalzell have been furloughed due to there being no work at the plant, although GFG Alliance have said that work is expected to recommence in September. Mr Gupta's Liberty Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) company, which doesn't include his Scottish assets, is at threat of being wound up due to owing millions to creditors.

The tycoon made clandestine deals with the Scottish Government, led by Nicola Sturgeon, as he wooed SNP Ministers with lavish meals. The SNP Executive helped Mr Gupta take over Lochaber's aluminium smelter near Fort William by providing nearly £600m in loan guarantees.

There is no guarantee that the taxpayer will see any returns from this cash bailout, especially due to the financial worries surrounding Mr Gupta. The situation also leaves workers at Dalzell and Clydebridge in Lanarkshire worried about their jobs.

John Swinney's hands are also all over the murky deal as he was Ms Sturgeon's Deputy when an agreement was struck. He attended a lavish dinner with Mr Gupta and senior figures from his his Liberty Steel/GFG Alliance empire of companies near Oban on December 18, 2016 but no minutes exist from this secretive summit which sealed the deal.

Insolvency courts granted a compulsory winding up order sought by creditors owed hundreds of millions of pounds by SSUK, with the Rotherham and Sheffield steelworks now being placed under UK Government control. The company uses scrap metal to manufacture steel and will now be placed in the hands of the official receiver - a government appointed liquidator - and special managers from consultancy firm Teneo.

The UK Government has agreed to cover the ongoing wages and costs of the plant while a buyer is sought. The judge found that the firm was "hopelessly insolvent" with £600,000 in the bank, a monthly wage bill of £3.7m, supported by a parent group that has 15 entities in insolvency proceedings across nine jurisdictions.

Liberty Steep Group's finances took a huge hit when its main lender Greensill Capital collapsed while owing billions to investors. Mr Gupta had planned to place SSUK in administration and then immediately buy it out but failed in his bid to do so.

The Scottish Lib Dems have long called for a public inquiry into the scandal, and has now called on both governments to step in to ensure a future at Scotland's last steel mills. Willie Rennie MSP said: “Workers at the Dalzell plant have already been furloughed with no work being done at the plant, so there is no doubt they will be very worried about what this news coming out of England could mean for them.

“The Liberal Democrats have repeatedly warned the Scottish Government about the possibility that Liberty Steel operations could collapse, but so far ministers have refused to act. This latest development must be the catalyst for both the UK and Scottish governments to finally come together and agree a joined-up strategy for this vital Scottish business."

Jeffrey Kabel, Liberty Steel's Chief Transformation Officer, said: “The decision to push Speciality Steel U.K. into compulsory liquidation, especially when we have support from the world's largest asset manager to resume operations and facilitate creditor recovery is irrational.

"The plan that GFG presented to the court would have secured new investment in the UK steel industry, protecting jobs and establishing a sustainable operational platform under a new governance structure with independent oversight. Instead, liquidation will now impose prolonged uncertainty and significant costs on UK taxpayers for settlements and related expenses, despite the availability of a commercial solution.

"Liberty has pursued all options to make its SSUK viable, including efficiency improvements, reorganisations, customer support, several attempts to find a buyer for the business and intensive negotiations with creditors to restructure debt liabilities. LIBERTY’s shareholder has invested nearly £200mn, recognising the vital role steel plays in supplying the UK’s strategic defence, aerospace and energy industries.

>>23504422

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

"GFG will now continue to advance its bid for the business in collaboration with prospective debt and equity partners and will present its plan to the official receiver. GFG continues to believe it has the ideas, management expertise and commitment to lead SSUK into the future and attract major investment. GFG’s significant other business interests in the UK remain unaffected.

"Despite many challenges facing the group and the difficult market conditions, GFG has invested over £2 billion into the UK economy since 2013, ensuring the survival of many GFG businesses despite operating losses and safeguarding thousands of jobs that would otherwise have been lost.”

The proceedings involving LSSUK do not directly affect GFG’s operations at Lochaber and Dalzell, and the Scottish Government continues to monitor events and engage with GFG executives. The Scottish Government has a robust suite of securities and well developed contingency plans to deal with eventualities.

>>23505345

>However, steel and aluminum go into ships, and the Royal Navy is greatly in need of new ships

Perhaps we can ask Turkey to provide us some ships, in this once proud shipbuilding land?

Thanks for the bakering anon. >>23499086

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/embarrassment-snp-turkish-shipyard-launches-35781656

Embarrassment for SNP as Turkish shipyard launches island ferry just two years after being awarded contract

The MV Lochmor will serve the Little Minch routes between between Uig on Skye, Tarbert on Harris, and Lochmaddy on North Uist

Douglas Dickie

23 AUG 2025

Islanders in the Outer Hebrides have been handed a boost after the first of two new vessels for a key ferry route was launched. But critics say it highlights the failure of the SNP government.

MV Lochmor, which will serve the Little Minch routes, was launched at Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova, Turkey, on Saturday morning. The event took place just two and a half years after the yard was awarded the contract to build the ships.

The Scottish Conservatives said the speed of work shames the Nats, who have presided over a fiasco in the creation of two new ferries at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow. The Glen Sannox eventually entered service on the Arran route in January this year, nearly seven years behind schedule and tens of millions of pounds over budget.

Even since January, it has been beset with problems while its sister ship, the Glen Rosa, has yet to enter service nine years after the first steel was cut. Scottish Conservative shadow minister for connectivity and islands Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said that while the launch was "welcome news for islanders," it also "lays bare the SNP’s destruction of Scotland’s once great shipbuilding industry".

He added: "It’s embarrassing that a Turkish shipyard can deliver a ferry faster than a Scottish one. But that’s the reality of the SNP’s gross mismanagement of Ferguson Marine.

"Desperate islanders waited years for the Glen Sannox, only for it to be plagued by faults, while the Glen Rosa is still nowhere in sight. It beggars belief that not a single SNP minister has been sacked for this never-ending ferries chaos. The Scottish Conservatives will continue to hold their feet to the fire."

MV Lochmor and its sister ship MV Claymore, which are part of a £115 million project, will replace the current single-vessel service provided by MV Hebrides on routes between Uig on Skye, Tarbert (Harris) and Lochmaddy (North Uist). MV Lochmor can accommodate up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles.

MV Lochmor is the third of four standardised vessels being built at the Turkish yard for CMAL. The launch ceremony was attended by representatives of CMAL and key project stakeholders. It was officially launched by Kay MacLeod, a long-serving CalMac employee who works at Tarbert ferry terminal.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: "The Scottish Government is committed to investing in our ferry services, and the MV Lochmor, along with the MV Claymore and significant port improvements, will deliver our goal of a two-vessel service connecting Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy, improving capacity, frequency and resilience for Harris and North Uist."

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive officer at CMAL, added: “It’s great to see another successful launch at Cemre, with the third of four vessels launched in 17 months. The communities to be served by these vessels will notice a significant improvement in capacity and reliability when MV Lochmor comes into service next year, and even more so when her sister vessel, MV Claymore, joins her a few months later.”

MV Lochmor is one of 12 vessels scheduled to join the CalMac fleet by 2029. It will now undergo further outfitting and system installations in the water before sea trials take place. She is scheduled to arrive in Scotland later in 2026, after which she will complete crew familiarisation and local operational testing before entering service.

>>23513245 (me)

Description

OPEN TYPE DOUBLE END RO/PAX FERRY, CLASS INSB, BLT 07/2017, LOA 107.06M, BEAM 18.0M, DWT 879.03T AT 2.85M DRAFT, M/E 4 X CAT, 1000 HP EACH, GENS 2 X 135KVA EACH + 1 X 88KVA, SERVICE SPEED 12.5KN, FOUR X FIVE-BLADED FIXED PITCH PROPELLERS, RUDDER PROPULSION 4 X VETH 550, CARS CAPACITY 210, PAX CAPACITY WINTER/SUMMER 800/1500, CREW ACCOMMODATION: 2 X 1 BERTH CABIN + 8 X 2 BERTHS CABINS, LOCATION GREECE

>>23513373 (me)

When they listed summer time seating for 1,500 I believe it but even just winter passenger load of 800 should serve those islands quite well

General Research #28645

Sluagh-Ghairm! 'Young Queen of Scots' Trends As 14-Year-Old Lass Bravely Defies a Would-Be Predator

The word 'slogan' has an interesting etymology. It comes directly from the Scottish Gaelic term 'Sluagh-Ghairm,' or battle cry. Highlanders in the Middle Ages would shout their sluagh-ghairms to rally their troops into war. In the movie Braveheart, William Wallace's sluagh-ghairm was 'Alba gu bràth,' or 'Scotland Forever.'

We note this obscure bit of history because it appears that young lasses in Scotland have had just about enough of their government covering up for immigrant groomer gangs. They are shouting their sluagh-ghairms and channeling their inner William Wallace to show everyone, including would-be sexual assailants, that they're not going to take it anymore.

A video clip of a brave and quite well-armed 14-year-old girl has been trending on X because of the courage she showed in the face of a creeper. And, of course, her cowardly government arrested her, not him, for her trouble.

https://twitchy.com/grateful-calvin/2025/08/26/scottish-lass-trends-on-x-as-14-year-old-girl-shows-more-courage-than-her-whole-government-n2417970

https://x.com/Rightanglenews/status/1959972631555297540?

>>23112638

>>>23112573 Final Law and Disorder Bun Part Three

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/court-hearings-scotland-live-streamed-35792462

Court hearings in Scotland to be live streamed in bid to improve transparency

Cases heard at the Criminal Appeal Court will be shown online from Friday.

Rory Cassidy

26 AUG 2025

Court hearings will be streamed live in Scotland on a regular basis for the public to view online - with the scheme due to start in just a few days.

Cases heard at the Criminal Appeal Court will be the first to be shown under the initiative, which is due to begin on Friday, August 29, 2025.

The move is part of a bid to improve access and transparency within the appeal court, and will initially feature appeals against conviction and Crown appeals against sentences.

In the future, the Criminal Appeal Court Live scheme may be extended to mean that all appeals in Scotland are live streamed. It follows the success of live streaming from the Court of Session, Scotland’s highest civil court, which began in June 2023.

The Lord Justice General, Lord Pentland, said: "The principle of open justice is fundamental to our legal system and, indeed, the stability of our country. It helps secure the efficient and impartial administration of justice and supports public confidence in and respect for the rule of law.

“The launch of Criminal Appeal Court Live is the latest initiative to be introduced as part of our commitment to this important principle and I’m pleased to open up the court to a much wider, online audience.

“The service will help to educate and inform the public about the work of the Criminal Appeal Court and allow interested parties – including complainers – to view proceedings without the need to attend in person.

“It will also provide the media with more efficient access to cases to assist with informed and accurate reporting and allow academics and students to engage with the court process in a more convenient way.

“This is an important step in ensuring that justice can be seen to be done in today’s digitally driven world.”

The Criminal Appeal Court at Parliament House in Edinburgh has recently been fitted with new audio and visual equipment for the project and the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) website will be updated with details of upcoming cases.

In some cases, hearings will be available on demand, allowing members of the public to watch proceedings at convient times.

Malcolm Graham, SCTS chief executive, said: “The launch of Criminal Appeal Court Live is another significant development for SCTS which will support open justice and transparency in our courts.

“The new service will allow greater public understanding of appeal cases and provide a means for complainers and other court users to view proceedings without the need to attend court – either live as it happens or at a later stage.

“This is a strong example of how technology can improve access for those who use or have an interest in our courts, and I am very thankful to everyone involved in this initiative for their hard work in developing it.”

Lord Clark, who leads the livestreaming project, added: “This is a significant progression in our livestreaming journey and marks an important milestone for Scotland’s courts.

“The launch of Criminal Appeal Court Live builds on the success of the Court of Session livestream which has streamed 68 hearings since it was launched, with cases of significant public importance reaching viewing figures of more than 5,000 at times.

“I’m confident that the move into criminal appeals will also attract a high level of interest and bring additional benefits to those who use our courts.”

Details of cases to be livestreamed can be found on the Criminal Appeal Court Live webpage on the SCTS website.

>>23517149

>>23517349

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-scotland-admit-couple-involved-35803623

Police Scotland admit couple involved in Dundee 'axe' girl incident were Bulgarians

The force has urged people to stop spreading 'misinformation' about the confrontation on Saturday afternoon, which has seen the likes of Elon Musk accused of 'dangerous and divisive' rhetoric

Ben Borland

27 AUG 2025

Police Scotland has issued a statement over an incident in Dundee that has seen figures such as Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson accused of spreading misinformation.

Video footage taken on Saturday afternoon shows a young girl brandishing a knife and a hatchet by the side of a busy dual carriageway in the city.

The youngster can be heard to shout "f*ing kid bashers" and another girl yells: "Don't f*ing punch my little sister, she's 12." Meanwhile, a man behind the camera says: "Show the knife, show the knife."

Claims on social media suggested the girls had been followed, recorded and "chatted up" by two adults. A 12-year-old girl has since been charged and Police Scotland's most senior officer in the city has now spoken out about the case.

Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell said: "We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media in relation to an incident where a Bulgarian couple were approached by youths in St Ann Lane, Dundee, on Saturday, 23 August, 2025.

"A 12-year-old girl has been charged with being in possession of offensive weapons. She will be referred to the relevant authorities and our enquiries are ongoing. We would like to thank the local community for their help with our investigation and would urge the public not to share misinformation about this incident or speculate on the circumstances."

As we reported yesterday, some have hailed the girl as an "iconic figure", while Musk – the world's richest man and the owner of social media platform, X – reposted a comment about the girl being recorded by "a migrant".

Meanwhile, right-wing activist Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – said they were being "filmed by a migrant" and described it as "very concerning".

Despite fierce criticism, the fact that the people involved were migrants has now been confirmed. However, it is not known what happened before the footage was shot and it may be that the two adults were simply minding their own business before being confronted by the youngsters.

Officers are understood to have reviewed CCTV and made other inquiries but found nothing to support the allegations made against the Bulgarian couple. The police previously said the girl who has been charged was 14, although this error has now been corrected in today's statement.

Nadia El-Nakla – SNP councillor for Dundee's West End and wife of ex-First Minister Humza Yousaf – told The Courier: "This is deeply concerning for many reasons. Everyone has the right to feel safe in our streets. Carrying a knife is a crime, and we must uphold a policy of zero tolerance towards knife crime."

Ms El-Nakla, the equalities spokeswoman for the Dundee SNP group, added: "It is also clear that elements of the far right are attempting to hijack this incident to spread a racist, anti-immigration agenda. This is both dangerous and divisive, and it threatens the cohesion of our communities.

"Here in Dundee, we will not allow this to take root. The facts of the incident have been provided by our police service. These should be trusted — not the disinformation being pushed by those who wish to vilify asylum seekers and immigrants."

Police Scotland said: "Around 7.40pm on Saturday, August 23, we received a report of a female youth with a weapon in St Ann Lane, Dundee. Officers attended and a [12-year-old] girl was charged in connection. She will be reported to the relevant authorities."

>>23496452

>>23499061

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/no-covert-camera-found-holyrood-35814679

'No covert camera' found in Holyrood toilets as Colin Smyth MSP charged over 'hidden device'

Officers searched the parliamentary building for the 'hidden devices' in the wake of the allegations around the former Scottish Labour MSP

John Glover

29 AUG 2025

Police Scotland has carried out checks of the Scottish Parliament in the wake of allegations that a hidden camera was placed inside toilets in the building.

It is understood MSP Colin Smyth, who has been arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images, also faces a further charge in relation to the allegations.

Scottish Parliament bosses confirmed on Thursday night that the South Scotland MSP has had his Holyrood pass “deactivated”. There will also be “enhanced additional checks” going forward, those working at the Parliament have been told.

In a letter sent to all building users on Friday, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and Scottish Parliament chief executive David McGill said searches have been carried out and “no covert recording devices have been found”.

They acknowledged “deeply concerning reports” of the story in the media would cause “unease and anxiety” for those working in the Holyrood building.

The letter said: “We can confirm that Police Scotland, with our support, have conducted a full sweep of all toilets and changing rooms in our building and that no covert recording devices have been found.

“We have also instructed that enhanced additional checks to our existing security sweeps of the building take place going forward.”

Ms Johnstone and Mr McGill sought to reassure staff that their safety and welfare is a “priority”, as they said people should be “confident to use the building as you would normally”.

Smyth was arrested on August 5 and is due to appear in court at a later date. He was first elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again at the 2021 election.

The Scottish Parliament website now lists him as an independent, with Labour confirming he had had the whip removed pending the investigation.

In a statement at the time, the MSP said: “These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time. I am obviously co-operating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly.

“I am not able to comment further at this stage, and in the meantime I would ask for the privacy of my family and friends to be respected.”

>>23523890

>>23496452

>>23499061

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/colin-smyth-msp-charged-after-35811899

Colin Smyth MSP charged after 'secret camera was hidden in Holyrood toilet'

The suspended Labour politician has had his parliament pass deactivated ahead of MSPs returning next week

Rachel Keenan & Douglas Dickie

29 AUG 2025

A suspended Labour MSP has been charged amid claims a secret camera was placed in toilets inside the Scottish Parliament. Colin Smyth faces a further charge from the police in relation to the allegations.

His Holyrood pass was deactivated on Thursday ahead of MSPs returning on next week. According to the Daily Record newspaper, he was charged on Thursday evening.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said that given the ongoing criminal investigation, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) "took the decision this evening to deactivate Colin Smyth’s parliamentary pass". David McGill, the Parliament’s chief executive, emailed MSPs to let them know of the decision.

He said: "We recognise the nature of the criminal charges and the ongoing investigation may be upsetting for colleagues and cause distress. We would therefore like to remind everyone who works at Holyrood or in constituency offices of the confidential support services that are available."

Smyth had earlier been arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images, prompting his suspension from Scottish Labour. The South Scotland MSP was arrested on Tuesday, August 5, and is due to appear in court at a later date.

He was first elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again at the 2021 election. The Scottish Parliament website now lists him as an Independent.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "On Tuesday, August 5 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Marchfield Avenue, Dumfries. A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images. He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date."

A spokesman for Scottish Labour said: "The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.”

It is understood the MSP was administratively suspended by Labour after the party became aware of the police investigation. Smyth released a statement last week, saying: "These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time.

"I am obviously co-operating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly. I am not able to comment further at this stage, and in the meantime I would ask for the privacy of my family and friends to be respected.”

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 52-year-old man."

>>23527185

Sorry the vidya was blocked…it's The Body Language Guy on YT discussing why the police were not saying anything about the attack on the girl with the knife and hatchet.

>>23524199

>>23523890

>>23496452

>>23499061

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/least-five-msps-among-men-35821301

At least five MSPs among men 'filmed in the toilets on hidden Holyrood loocam'

After Colin Smyth MSP was arrested and charged with possession of indecent images, police have the difficult – and somewhat delicate – job of trying to establish the identities of those allegedly captured on film

Ben Borland & Hannah Rodger

31 AUG 2025

Police have started interviewing people identified in footage alleged to be from a secret camera hidden in a toilet cubicle in the Holyrood building.

At least five MSPs along with several journalists and staff have been contacted by detectives over the alleged recordings. All those involved are male.

Our sister paper the Sunday Mail reports that they were captured by the device allegedly concealed in a small men's loo opposite the main Holyrood chamber.

It has just two cubicles and is only for parliamentary pass holders. So far officers are understood to have identified at least five parliamentarians, as well as one journalist and several other staff members.

It comes after MSP Colin Smyth was arrested and charged with possession of indecent images. He faces allegations of planting a hidden camera in the toilets at the Scottish Parliament. The married dad – who has been suspended by Scottish Labour – was arrested and charged on August 5, after police raided his home in Dumfries and seized electronic devices.

The 52-year-old, who denies the charges, is due at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date. A source told the Sunday Mail officers were working to identify those allegedly caught on camera while using the toilet, with between eight and 10 men confirmed so far.

They said: "Some MSPs have already been interviewed about it. They had to confirm it was them in the footage. They are still going through it all as there could be people who they can't identify for whatever reason in the films as their faces aren't visible.

"It could be that some people are never identified if they're not well-known public figures and can't be identified by police. It's hardly something you can ask others to look at and see if they know who people are."

Meanwhile, Scottish Parliament bosses are under fire after taking weeks to revoke Smyth's pass, despite being told on August 8 that police were investigating images potentially taken at Holyrood. However, they said the identity of the person being investigated was not disclosed to them and to date they have still had no confirmation these lines of inquiry relate to Smyth.

'The whole building should've been locked down'

His access was only revoked on Thursday after the Daily Record approached the press office to ask about the spy camera allegations. In the 23 days between Smyth being charged and having his pass revoked, he visited Holyrood with constituents at least once.

MSPs and staff have asked why Holyrood chiefs didn't take action earlier. One MSP said: "If I was told someone had been alleged to have planted a camera in a toilet and it had recorded countless people, the first thing I'd do is ask who is thought to have done this and at least temporarily suspend their access. If necessary the whole building should have been locked down while searches were done and we should have been notified.

"Obviously we do not know at this stage what has gone on, it's all allegations. But to protect the users of the building they should have taken action straight away. Now it looks as if they've been forced into doing something because the media has got hold of the story. It's appalling.

"My staff are extremely concerned about this as well. They've lost confidence in the ability of the chief executive to keep them safe and frankly, to tell the truth without it being forced out of them."

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: "On August 8, Police Scotland made the parliamentary authorities aware of images potentially taken at Holyrood. The identity of the person being investigated was not disclosed to us and to date we have no confirmation that these lines of inquiry relate to Mr Smyth. Any action the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body takes regarding Mr Smyth must be based on verified information."

On the reason for the delay in deactivating Smyth's pass, the spokesman said: "Members are not employees of the Parliament and no mechanism exists to facilitate the immediate removal of their access to Parliament in these circumstances.

"The SPCB took an immediate decision to deactivate the pass on Thursday following recommendations from officials. Its decision was based on a full risk assessment and the balancing of a range of duties and responsibilities placed on it."

>>23524572

>>23518713

>>23517490

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/dundee-axe-girl-saga-takes-35811933

Mum at centre of Dundee 'axe girl' storm insists she and daughter are not racist

Abbie Sommer's post was pounced on by the likes of far-right activist Tommy Robinson after she shared images of a Bulgarian couple

Douglas Dickie

29 AUG 2025

A Dundee mother whose Facebook post about a Bulgarian couple in the city sparked a social media outcry has insisted she is not a racist. Abbie Sommer posted on social media after a 12-year-old girl was charged with possession of offensive weapons.

Video footage emerged of a youngster brandishing a knife and axe in the Lochee area of the city at the weekend. Ms Sommer says her daughter witnessed the incident and called the police.

She later posted three images of the couple on Facebook along with the caption: "these people now with police but also now conveniently can't speak English anymore……."

The post, which has since been deleted, was later shared by the likes of far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Speaking to The Dundee Courier, Ms Sommer said: "I wish my name wasn’t on it but I did share the post publicly so I guess I only have myself to blame for that."

She added: "My daughter had no idea of any weapons and still isn’t really sure where they came from. She was calling the police when that part all happened.

"I hate that me and my daughter are being branded as racist as that’s far from the truth. My post did not mention their immigration status or skin colour. I just said this man and woman, nothing more."

Footage from the incident shows a young girl brandishing a knife and a hatchet by the side of a busy dual carriageway in the city. The youngster can be heard to shout "f*ing kid bashers" and another girl yells: "Don't f*ing punch my little sister, she's 12." Meanwhile, the man behind the camera says: "Show the knife, show the knife."

The incident has gone viral across the world and even caught the attention of Elon Musk. The girl charged has become a hero to some social media users and a fundraiser for her and her family has raised £20,000 while one of the adults involved, Fatos Ali Dumana, went public to tell his side of the story having recorded the video.

He told the Daily Mail: "I never touched her. I didn't hit her, I swear on my life, I have a baby now. I would never hurt someone. If she's only 12 why was she messing with me and having weapons?

"I was going to the shop and she was stopping me going on my way. If I did hurt the girl, why didn't the police arrest me? They have done nothing to me."

The incident even prompted Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell of Police Scotland to issue a statement warning the public not to "share misinformation about this incident or speculate on the circumstances."

Ms Sommer described the situation as "crazy" and said she is "terrified that my daughter was even near this situation". She called the carrying of weapons "unacceptable" and has spoken to her daughter about the situation.

But she insists it is not "really her story, it’s the other girl’s story – my daughter was just there and called police". Describing the situation as "incredibly stressful", she added: "When I made the post, I was scared about what just happened. I didn’t know what to do and posted it before I could think."

>>23531648

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/john-swinney-accuses-elon-musk-35809912

John Swinney accuses Elon Musk of damaging 'social cohesion' in Scotland as he wades into Dundee 'knife' girl row

The First Minister has backed Police Scotland's handling of the viral incident in Dundee which has led to a teenage girl becoming a hero of America's alt right.

David Walker

28 AUG 2025

John Swinney has now waded into the row surrounding a Dundee teenager who brandished a knife, accusing Elon Musk of spreading "misinformation." A viral video was published over the weekend showing a young girl being filmed shouting at a foreign couple.

It led to social media rumours which made claims about alleged crimes being committed, that the pair of females were "accosted by two adult foreign nationals." Police Scotland only confirmed that a 12-year-old girl had been charged for possession of offensive weapons.

Mr Swinney was asked about this incident during a press call on Thursday and went on the offensive against both billionaire Mr Musk and far right agitator Tommy Robinson. He claimed that the X owner was trying to "undermine” the social “cohesion” in Scottish communities, which he said was “totally and utterly unacceptable”.

Police Scotland waited more than 48 hours until after the video did the rounds on social media before setting out its position in a statement. The Bulgarian man behind the footage has also spoken out, claiming he did nothing wrong and blaming the young Dundee girl.

The incident has been picked up by the alt right in America, with a crowdfunder launched, allegedly for the girl's family, raising more than £20,000. It has been shared by a number of big X accounts as well although the claims being made about migrants not being substantiated.

Mr Musk shared several posts on his site which made claims about the incident, including the migrant status of the people allegedly confronted. Robinson also made a number of suggestions about what the footage, which is understood to have taken place in St Ann Lane in the Lochee area of the city around 7.40pm on Saturday, showed.

Mr Swinney said that there was a limit to what he could say about the incident due to it being a live police case, and went on; “But what is very important. is that Police Scotland have issued a warning about deliberate misinformation that is being used to stoke up fear and alarm in our communities.

“I am concerned about that and everybody should be concerned about that because we live in a fundamentally safer country today than we did 40 years ago. That’s what all the recorded data told us earlier on this week – we’re living in a safer country than we did 40 years ago.

“But people like Elon Musk, with the misinformation that has been stoked up about this case, are trying to undermine that sense of cohesion within our communities and it is totally and utterly unacceptable, and Police Scotland are absolutely right to call it out.”

Mr Musk hit out at those who have criticised the alleged actions of the teenager, branding them “pathetic grovelers”. And he shared a post from Mr Robinson whoo repeated the allegation that youngsters were being “filmed by a migrant” and said it was “very concerning”.

Chief superintendent Nicola Russell, who is responsible for Police Scotland’s Tayside division, issued a statement on Wednesday. She said: “We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media in relation to an incident where a Bulgarian couple were approached by youths in St Ann Lane, Dundee, on Saturday 23 August 2025.

“A 12-year-old girl has been charged with being in possession of offensive weapons. She will be referred to the relevant authorities and our inquiries are ongoing. We would like to thank the local community for their help with our investigation and would urge the public not to share misinformation about this incident or speculate on the circumstances.”

Flooding your country with foreigners is more likely to undermine social cohesion … a normal cunt would have thunk?

>>23499061

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/dundee-grooming-gang-facing-life-35822438

Dundee grooming gang facing life sentences as 'Scotland's Rochdale' puts spotlight on Lochee

Five Romanians who targeted vulnerable young women in the city and were convicted of a catalogue of rape, sexual abuse, human trafficking and drug offences are due back in court

Ben Borland

31 AUG 2025

Five members of a Romanian grooming gang are facing life terms when they are sentenced within days for scandal that saw Dundee dubbed a "Scottish Rochdale".

The gang members are due to appear at the High Court in Glasgow on September 9, some eight months after they were convicted of raping and sexually abusing 10 women in flats in the city.

Some of the offences took place in a flat in Lochee, one of the most deprived communities in the country, and many of the victims were Scottish girls including one as young as 16.

It comes after a viral video showing a confrontation between a group of schoolgirls and a Bulgarian couple in Lochee made headlines around the world, with the likes of Elon Musk using the footage to highlight social issues in the UK.

In fact, the Bulgarians are believed to have been doing nothing more sinister than visiting a local supermarket before the incident, which ended with a 12-year-old girl being caught on a mobile phone camera brandishing a machete-style knife and an axe.

There is no suggestion the young couple, who are in the UK legally and recently had a baby, have any connection to any illegal activities. The girl, 12, has been charged by police and no further charges are expected.

However, the story of the grooming gang operating in the city illustrates why feelings about the divisive topic of migration may be running high in Lochee and other communities across Scotland and the UK.

In 2021, detectives from the Serious Organised Crime Team launched an investigation, codenamed Operation Recloir, after receiving "intelligence suggesting human trafficking and sexual exploitation is ongoing within Dundee". Soon, however, the officers realised that local women were being targeted along with victims from overseas.

The following year, a briefing for Dundee City Council said five suspects had been identified. The document, seen by the Scottish Express, states: "These individuals are known to build trust with vulnerable females providing gifts and drugs. Once the females become addicted to controlled drugs the nominals demand sexual favours in exchange for the continued supply of drugs."

Two of the gang were arrested, while three others fled abroad, with international arrest warrants issued. The fugitives were eventually traced and extradited back from Belgium and the Czech Republic to face justice in Scotland.

The day of reckoning would arrive in January 2025, when Marian Cumpanasoiu, 37, Remus Stan, 34, Cristian Urlateanu, 41, Cataline Dobre, 44, and Alexandra Bugonea, 34, were convicted of 30 charges after a six-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Judge Lord Scott told the group: "This was an appalling catalogue of rape, serial sexual abuse and exploitation of extremely vulnerable, mostly, young women. Be in no doubt, you will spend a considerable period of time in custody. I will be imposing significant sentences."

Ringleader Cumpanasoiu was described in court as a "winking, smirking pimp" who behaved with a "predatory nature" towards females. He was convicted of raping seven of the women, human trafficking, brothel-keeping and dealing in crack cocaine.

Jurors heard how a 16-year-old Scottish girl was sold a "pipe dream" of how she could make "lots of money" from selling her body. A video was found on Cumpanasiou's phone showing the girl being made to climb a tree as he told her: "Because you do not make money, you stay all day in the tree."

>>23532054

…………………………………………………………………………………continued…………………………………………………………………………………

Cumanasiou and Stan were both convicted of raping and trafficking the girl, with prosecutor Lisa Gillespie KC stressing that people could be trafficked even if they did not cross international borders.

Another victim – in her late teens at the time – was raped by Urlateanu in his flat and told police that she was kept there for days. Urlateanu, Stan and Dobre also gang-raped one woman after she was given a substance that made her feel unwell at a "party".

Bugonea, who was a prostitute in Dundee, admitted having "sex parties" at her flat but described them as a "fun atmosphere". However, one victim described seeing Bugonea semi-naked and teaming up with her then boyfriend Urlateanu for rape.

The full scale of the abuse may never be known as there were said to be so many young women "passing through" their clutches that the gang struggled to remember who they all were.

Gang's tactics were 'disgraceful, horrible'

Speaking anonymously to the Scottish edition of The Times in January, officials admitted the pattern of offending resembled major grooming scandals in England such as the one in Rochdale.

However, they stressed that police had intervened early to apprehend the gang and also that the victims were older than those in Rochdale and other English towns, where girls as young as 13 were targeted by mostly British Pakistani men.

Detective Inspector Scott Carswell, who led the Dundee investigation, told the paper: "It was disgraceful, horrible what they were putting these females through. They have absolutely groomed them for their own gratification – initially."

He said the gang "really homed in" on vulnerable and "immature" women who were "looking for a caring relationship", adding: "What was apparent was that they all were quite attractive and had been kind of lured into a party life and into drugs."

When the five returned to court in February, Lord Scott adjourned the case for full risk assessments to be carried out on Cumpanasoiu and Urlateanu. This could see them hit with an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR), meaning they could spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

"It remains possible extended sentences will be imposed," the judge said. "If that is the case, significant custodial sentences will be necessary – well into double figures. All options are kept open until I see the reports."

On September 9, the gang will finally learn their fate.

>>23532054

>The girl, 12, has been charged by police and no further charges are expected

Police Scotland and the SNP digging that hole deeper

Not going away, the meme makers are on it

>>23504422

>>23499069

>>23499063

>>23499066

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/sanjeev-gupta-could-leave-taxpayers-35782466

Sanjeev Gupta could leave taxpayers stuck with £586m bill as SNP Government refuses to reveal if it has financial guarantees

John Swinney has been fired a warning about Sanjeev Gupta who owns Scotland's last steel mills thanks to a murky £586m taxpayer-funded deal he made with Nicola Sturgeon.

David Walker

24 AUG 2025

The Scottish Government has been warned that it is being "taken for a ride" by troubled steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta. The magnate's English company Specialty Steels UK (SSUK) plunged into administration earlier this week, leaving two steel mills in Rotherham and Sheffield in the UK Government's hands.

His GFG Alliance bought two steel mills from the Scottish Government in 2016 with the help of a £7m taxpayer-funded loan. Nicola Sturgeon's SNP Executive also helped Mr Gupta take over Lochaber's aluminium smelter near Fort William by providing nearly £600m in loan guarantees.

But workers at Dalzell in Lanarkshire have been furloughed for months due to not having any work, although it is understood the mill may restart in September. It has been stressed that GFG Alliance is separate from Mr Gupta's SSUK which operates south of the border.

Scottish Lib Dems MSP Willie Rennie has asked parliamentary questions about how his Scottish businesses are financed, and whether there are any guarantees that they will continue to operate amid financial concerns embroiling Mr Gupta. But he was told that there is no commitments from either side.

SSUK plunged into administration on Thursday, creating an uncertain future for nearly 1,500 workers in Rotherham and Sheffield, after insolvency courts granted a compulsory winding up order sought by creditors owed hundreds of millions of pounds. According to BBC reports, a judge found the firm was "hopelessly insolvent" with £600,000 in the bank, a monthly wage bill of £3.7m, supported by a parent group that has 15 entities in insolvency proceedings across nine jurisdictions.

Mr Gupta is also facing prosecution over his alleged failure to file accounts for more than 70 companies. Accounts for both the Dalzell steelworks and the Lochaber aluminium plant have went unfiled for years.

Mr Rennie said: "Every time I ask for basic answers about the Scottish Government's relationship with Sanjeev Gupta and the financial health of his businesses, I get the kind of deliberately unhelpful answers which suggest the government has something to hide.

"When the SNP chose Sanjeev Gupta as the preferred buyer for these businesses they shouted about their deals to the high hills. Now they have clammed up. Perhaps they are realising that they have been taken for a ride. I am concerned that these businesses are not on a sound financial footing and the Scottish Government could be left picking up the bill.

“Workers at the Dalzell plant have already been furloughed with no work being done at the plant, so there is no doubt they will be very worried about what this news coming out of England could mean for them. The Liberal Democrats have repeatedly warned the Scottish Government about the possibility that Liberty Steel operations could collapse, but so far ministers have refused to act.

“This latest development must be the catalyst for both the UK and Scottish governments to finally come together and agree a joined-up strategy for this vital Scottish business." Mr Rennie asked two questions of the Scottish Government about whether it had received financial guarantees from GFG Alliance but was told by Ivan McKee that "the Scottish Government engages with the GFG Alliance at group level and local level on a regular basis to remain informed on the progress of their ongoing refinancing."

Jeffrey Kabel, Liberty Steel's Chief Transformation Officer, said: “The decision to push Speciality Steel U.K. into compulsory liquidation, especially when we have support from the world's largest asset manager to resume operations and facilitate creditor recovery is irrational.

"GFG will now continue to advance its bid for the business in collaboration with prospective debt and equity partners and will present its plan to the official receiver. GFG continues to believe it has the ideas, management expertise and commitment to lead SSUK into the future and attract major investment. GFG’s significant other business interests in the UK remain unaffected.

"Despite many challenges facing the group and the difficult market conditions, GFG has invested over £2 billion into the UK economy since 2013, ensuring the survival of many GFG businesses despite operating losses and safeguarding thousands of jobs that would otherwise have been lost.”

>>23545298

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-fail-say-sanjeev-35842145

SNP Government fail to say when Sanjeev Gupta will pay back £7m taxpayer-funded loan handed to him by Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon struck a murky deal with the steel tycoon to sell him two steel mills for just £1, backed by a £7m taxpayer-funded loan, with Liberty Steel furloughing its Lanarkshire staff at Dalzell.

David Walker

3 SEP 2025

The Scottish Government was accused of boasting about things "going well" within Sanjeev Gupta's empire in Scotland, despite his company in England facing bankruptcy. The steel tycoon was involved in a murky deal north of the border when he purchased the country's last steel mills and smelter, using a taxpayer-funded loan and guarantee.

He wined and dined both Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney in the Highlands before penning a deal handing him control of Dalzell Steelworks as well as Lochaber smelter. In 2016, the Scottish Government bought the two mills in Lanarkshire from Tata Steel for £1 and then transferred them both to Gupta's Liberty Steel Group – part of the GFG Alliance. The deal was championed by the former First Minister and backed by a £7million taxpayer-funded loan.

Also in 2016, the SNP helped Mr Gupta take over Lochaber aluminium smelter near Fort William by providing nearly £600m in loan guarantees. It leaves the public purse at high risk of losing a substantial amount of money if Liberty Steel suffer the financial issues hitting Specialty Steels UK, which is a separate entity.

Workers are currently furloughed at Dalzell, with its sister site Clydebridge mothballed two years ago to consolidate all the work at one site. Concerns have been raised by politicians that the vital businesses may struggle to survive, with this firmly denied by GFG Alliance.

The issue was brought up at Holyrood on Wednesday, with Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie asking when the £7m loan is likely to be paid back after Scottish Government Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee painted a rosy picture of work at the steelworks. He failed to answer this.

Initially, the SNP Minister said: "The Scottish Government are in regular contact with management at Alvance British Aluminum, Liberty Steel, Dalzell and the wider GFG Alliance. The Lochaber businesses are performing well, employing over 200 people, making significant contributions to both the local and Scottish economies.

"GFG remains committed to the future of the Dalzell plant and have firm plans to restart operations in the near future, after securing a contract for 40 kilotons of plate for maritime use. I will be providing a statement to Parliament next week to set out further details on the Scottish assets and our discussions with GFG on their future."

Mr Rennie highlighted broken promises from Mr Gupta's empire, as well as his financial issues across the rest of the UK. He said: "There will be skepticism in Lochaber and Lanarkshire, as we've had so many false dawns before. At the smelter, we were promised a wheel making plant, 2000 jobs, a billet plant, but none of that has happened.

"And last month, it was on the verge of being struck off Companies House. The workers at Dalzell have been sitting at home for months as the company can't afford to buy the materials to fulfil any orders, and there's the forced liquidation of the Specialty Steels business in the UK. If things are going so well, has the company indicated when they will pay back the £7m loan to the Scottish Government, and how long will the Scottish Government give the GFG Alliance to deliver before it steps in."

Mr McKee avoided the answer to this question altogether, instead rabbiting on about how both businesses are still operating nine years after the original deal, "something that was far from certain previously." He demanded recognition that the Scottish Government helped save jobs there and said they've got "significant contingency plans in place for any eventualities, should there be any changes in the circumstances."