/qresearch/ -  Q Research

>>24652644

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

“An explanation should also be provided about the timing of this case which spanned five years yet ended with a guilty plea just after the election, to the SNP’s clear advantage. The reason given for blocking Scottish Conservative efforts to disclose this information a year ago no longer apply. To repair public confidence in Scottish justice, it’s time for full transparency.”

The Scottish Tories asked for "the direction that was provided by the Crown Office that was referred to in Police Scotland’s statement on 20 March 2025 which read: ‘Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal inquiries into two people arrested as part of the investigation [Operation Branchform] into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party have now concluded. The 73-year-old man arrested on 18 April 2023 and the 54-year-old woman arrested on 11 June 2023, have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.’"

But this was not provided as "it is held for the purposes of an investigation which the authority has a duty to conduct to ascertain whether a person should be prosecuted for an offence."

A Crown Office spokesman said: "A request from Police Scotland for advice and guidance in an investigation into a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman was responded to by COPFS. The request was handled as part of a large-scale wider inquiry and without delay on the part of the prosecution service who recognised its significance.

“Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel dealt with this without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence. Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred.

“We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court. This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.”

>>24652657

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

“An explanation should also be provided about the timing of this case which spanned five years yet ended with a guilty plea just after the election, to the SNP’s clear advantage. The reason given for blocking Scottish Conservative efforts to disclose this information a year ago no longer apply. To repair public confidence in Scottish justice, it’s time for full transparency.”

The Scottish Tories asked for "the direction that was provided by the Crown Office that was referred to in Police Scotland’s statement on 20 March 2025 which read: ‘Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal inquiries into two people arrested as part of the investigation [Operation Branchform] into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party have now concluded. The 73-year-old man arrested on 18 April 2023 and the 54-year-old woman arrested on 11 June 2023, have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.’"

But this was not provided as "it is held for the purposes of an investigation which the authority has a duty to conduct to ascertain whether a person should be prosecuted for an offence."

A Crown Office spokesman said: "A request from Police Scotland for advice and guidance in an investigation into a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman was responded to by COPFS. The request was handled as part of a large-scale wider inquiry and without delay on the part of the prosecution service who recognised its significance.

“Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel dealt with this without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence. Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred.

“We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court. This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.”

>>24498031

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx216j3m101o

Sex abuse doctor's victim urges others to come forward

Suzanne Allan & Eve Beattie

1 June 2026

A woman who was sexually assaulted by her doctor in her own home when she was six months pregnant has urged other potential victims to come forward.

Dr Krishna Singh was jailed in 2022 for 12 years having been convicted of sexual offences against 47 patients over four decades.

His patients included a rape victim, teenage children and pregnant women.

The woman the BBC spoke to - who we are calling Emma but whose real name cannot be used to protect her identity - said she thinks there may be many more victims.

After his conviction, police said the complaints against Singh, whose practice was in Coatbridge health centre, were "the tip of the iceberg".

The GP, who was also a police casualty surgeon and was awarded an MBE in 2013, was described by the judge at his trial as a sexual predator "hiding in plain sight".

He described Singh's serial offending between February 1983 and May 2018 as "calculated and manipulative".

Emma's case dates back almost 40 years to when she phoned her GP concerned she was having a miscarriage.

Singh, who is now 76, made a call to Emma's house and started to do an examination.

"The way he was touching me, it didn't feel right," she said.

Afterwards Singh just told her to rest and it would be fine.

"That was it," she said. "Nothing else. I was just in so much shock.

"I know it's going to be 39 years but I can still see it. I just know it was wrong. I knew immediately."

Other victims

Despite being incredibly upset, Emma did not report the doctor to police and instead confided in her husband.

"I don't think he really understood," she said.

"I think he thought I was maybe upset and not sure what happened."

She went on to have a healthy baby but left Singh's medical practice shortly afterwards.

Decades later, in 2018, Emma said she was shocked to see his name in the news in relation to similar allegations.

After two months of thinking it over, she went to the police and discovered there were many other victims.

Emma gave evidence as a witness and in May 2022 Singh was found guilty of 54 sexual offences against women and girls over a 35-year period.

His crimes included kissing, groping, inappropriate examinations and making sleazy comments to 47 patients in various medical settings, of which Emma was one.

However, she said there was no sense of justice after the verdict.

"There's no closure for me," she said.

"I've not even had an apology from anybody."

She said she hoped other victims would have the confidence to report what had happened to them.

"I would like other women this has happened to, to come forward, not to be afraid anymore," she said.

"I know he's in jail but these women have to give their side of the story, what happened to them as well and maybe we'll get a bit of justice."

Law firm Thompsons Solicitors is pursuing a civil legal action against NHS Lanarkshire on behalf of 31 former patients who were harmed by Singh while carrying out work for the health board.

It is seeking damages for physical and psychological injury as well as loss of wages.

Laura Connor, a partner from the family impact team at the solicitors, said: "Dr Singh's offending was significant.

"He is probably one of the most prolific sex offenders that we deal with in terms of civil claims.

"We've raised a group action in relation to what happened to the survivors and the patients of him and there's 31 members of that group."

Dr Lucy Munro, medical director for health and social care at North Lanarkshire, said: "We cannot comment on ongoing legal action.

"Singh's actions were a despicable breach of trust and a total abuse of the patient-doctor relationship.

"The GP community and health colleagues in Lanarkshire were shocked and condemned his actions."

She said the health board was grateful to the patients who had come forward and added that NHS Lanarkshire took allegations of this nature extremely seriously.

>>24496231

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

>>24355971 Final NHS Bun

>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement of KPW (Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 29-30 of 47

>>24648950

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-colin-beattie-refused-37235609

Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie refused to supply witness statements to cops probing SNP finances

The former First Minister promised to co-operate fully with cops when it came to Operation Branchform but seemingly failed to do this twice while they probed her estranged husband Peter Murrell.

David Walker

02 Jun 2026

Nicola Sturgeon has found herself in even more hot water after reports suggested that she refused to give a witness statement to cops probing the SNP's finances. And former Nat treasurer Colin Beattie also failed offer one as well following a request from detectives in relation to Operation Branchform.

It has led to accusations that the former First Minister was not telling the truth when she insisted that she would "fully cooperate" with the investigation. She already confirmed that she gave a "no comment" interview with police when she was arrested in June 2023 – as she was too shocked to answer questions and later supplied a written statement.

Ms Sturgeon has fled Scotland to live in London and avoided questions from Scottish-based journalists about her role in the Peter Murrell scandal. The Scottish Sun reports that she refused to give a full account to cops to help with the case against her husband – and neither did Mr Beattie.

She was told in 2025 that she wouldn't be charged in connection with Operation Branchform and declined the offer to provide evidence. As cops built their case, they contacted her and her fellow MSP to ask or witness statements which are used to construct a picture of offending and can be crucial evidence during a trial in helping secure a conviction.

It is likely detectives were trying to secure evidence about the SNP finances and governance and his home life ahead of a potential if Murrell pled not guilty. It would have led to a lot of dirty laundry being aired publicly but in the end the shamed Murrell fell on his sword and admitted the crime.

A legal source said: "Normally when people are ruled out as suspects they are more than helpful to assist. When both of them were asked their legal teams came back to say they would not provide witness statements. Both Sturgeon and Beattie were rather unhelpful. Why wouldn’t they provide witness statements? You would have to ask them.”

>>24672397

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

They added: “The SNP and indeed Sturgeon and Beattie keep talking about transparency. Well, both of them were not very transparent when they were asked to assist the police as witnesses into a huge fraud of their party.”

Critics have blasted both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie (who has since been re-elected as the MSP for Midlothian at the age of 74) for appearing to hinder the police probe. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay claimed that Ms Sturgeon had spent “hours hiding” with no comment answers when confronted by cops about her husband’s offending.

He went on: “Now we discover that she, along with a senior SNP MSP, rejected the opportunity to provide witness statements to the police. This latest revelation completely demolishes any lingering notion that she played ball with the investigation into her husband’s crime spree.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said that the revelation showed Ms Sturgeon was “determined to be as unhelpful as possible during Operation Branchform.” She added: “It is indicative of Sturgeon’s obsession with PR that she chose to take part in a sit-down interview with the BBC and yet spent the rest of her week running from journalists’ questions.

“The Scottish public deserve transparency – not further lies and deceit from the SNP. We need a parliamentary inquiry into this scandal to get to the truth.”

Ms Sturgeon's lawyer Aamer Anwar failed to deny the fact that Ms Sturgeon turned down a request to provide a witness statement from cops. He said: "You should have a full transcript of Ms Sturgeon’s interview with Laura Kuenssberg, and [as] has already been publicly stated a detailed written statement was provided to Police Scotland. There will be no further comment.”

>>24670160

>>24496231

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

>>24355971 Final NHS Bun

>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement of KPW (Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 30-31 of 47

>>24672460

>>24670160

>>24496231

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

>>24355971 Final NHS Bun

>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement of KPW (Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Last post had pages 32-33 of 47

NOT

Pages 30-31 of 47

This post

Page 31 of 47

>>24498044

>>24498043

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9we9djzdkqo

Scottish government found in contempt over Salmond files

3 June 2026

The Scottish government has been found in contempt by the Court of Session for deliberately delaying the publication of the so-called Salmond files.

The court ruled that the government failed to start work on redacting the documents until after Christmas, despite being told to do so on 1 December last year.

The documents, which had been at the centre of a long-running legal battle over a Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure, were eventually published in February.

The court admonished the government and ordered it to pay legal expenses to the information commissioner.

A Scottish government spokesperson said it "acknowledged and respected" the ruling.

The files relate to the inquiry into whether former first minister Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code over her handling of complaints against her late predecessor, Alex Salmond.

Sturgeon was cleared of breaching the code following an independent inquiry by lawyer James Hamilton in 2021.

The information commissioner, David Hamilton, issued the Scottish government with a warning letter on 16 January, requiring the publication of the documents by 22 January.

The government had been found to have "incorrectly withheld" the information on cost grounds.

When that deadline was missed, Hamilton referred the matter to the Court of Session.

In a written judgement, Lady Poole said the Scottish government "deliberately failed" to carry out the redaction by the information commissioner's set date.

The judge said the government's claim they would comply with the order "as soon as possible" showed a "lack of respect" to the commissioner's role.

She also noted the government had failed to "tender an apology" to the commissioner or admit contempt.

And the judge concluded that no steps had been taken to "rectify matters and avoid future repetition".

Lady Poole's judgement acknowledged the government had offered a "partial explanation" for the delay - including the additional complexities because of court orders that were in place - and the significant amount of documentation that was involved.

It also said the information commissioner might have given a slightly longer period for the government to comply because of the Christmas holidays.

But it said those factors did not explain the long delays before work on redacting the documents began and noted the "significant resources" available to the government.

The ruling said the court not exercising its powers in the case would send out the wrong signal to other public bodies, undermine the authority of the commissioner, and subvert the rule of law.

The amount of expenses due to be paid by the government was not disclosed.

Hamilton said the decision to refer the case to the Court of Session "had not been taken lightly".

He added: "Failing to comply with my decisions undermines the fundamental principles of FOI and damages the information rights of individuals.

"I trust that the Scottish Ministers will now reflect carefully on this ruling and review their broader legal approach to certain aspects of FOI compliance - and particularly those relating to the [James] Hamilton Inquiry."

The Scottish government said it had complied with the commissioner's decision on 24 February.

A spokesperson added: "As Scottish ministers set out to parliament, they have to balance their obligations under Freedom of Information legislation and the need to avoid identification of alleged victims in cases of sexual assault.

"We acknowledge and respect the ruling in this case and will consider it in detail."

>>24498044

>>24498043

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9we9djzdkqo

Scottish government found in contempt over Salmond files

3 June 2026

The Scottish government has been found in contempt by the Court of Session for deliberately delaying the publication of the so-called Salmond files.

The court ruled that the government failed to start work on redacting the documents until after Christmas, despite being told to do so on 1 December last year.

The documents, which had been at the centre of a long-running legal battle over a Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure, were eventually published in February.

The court admonished the government and ordered it to pay legal expenses to the information commissioner.

A Scottish government spokesperson said it "acknowledged and respected" the ruling.

The files relate to the inquiry into whether former first minister Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code over her handling of complaints against her late predecessor, Alex Salmond.

Sturgeon was cleared of breaching the code following an independent inquiry by lawyer James Hamilton in 2021.

The information commissioner, David Hamilton, issued the Scottish government with a warning letter on 16 January, requiring the publication of the documents by 22 January.

The government had been found to have "incorrectly withheld" the information on cost grounds.

When that deadline was missed, Hamilton referred the matter to the Court of Session.

In a written judgement, Lady Poole said the Scottish government "deliberately failed" to carry out the redaction by the information commissioner's set date.

The judge said the government's claim they would comply with the order "as soon as possible" showed a "lack of respect" to the commissioner's role.

She also noted the government had failed to "tender an apology" to the commissioner or admit contempt.

And the judge concluded that no steps had been taken to "rectify matters and avoid future repetition".

Lady Poole's judgement acknowledged the government had offered a "partial explanation" for the delay - including the additional complexities because of court orders that were in place - and the significant amount of documentation that was involved.

It also said the information commissioner might have given a slightly longer period for the government to comply because of the Christmas holidays.

But it said those factors did not explain the long delays before work on redacting the documents began and noted the "significant resources" available to the government.

The ruling said the court not exercising its powers in the case would send out the wrong signal to other public bodies, undermine the authority of the commissioner, and subvert the rule of law.

The amount of expenses due to be paid by the government was not disclosed.

Hamilton said the decision to refer the case to the Court of Session "had not been taken lightly".

He added: "Failing to comply with my decisions undermines the fundamental principles of FOI and damages the information rights of individuals.

"I trust that the Scottish Ministers will now reflect carefully on this ruling and review their broader legal approach to certain aspects of FOI compliance - and particularly those relating to the [James] Hamilton Inquiry."

The Scottish government said it had complied with the commissioner's decision on 24 February.

A spokesperson added: "As Scottish ministers set out to parliament, they have to balance their obligations under Freedom of Information legislation and the need to avoid identification of alleged victims in cases of sexual assault.

"We acknowledge and respect the ruling in this case and will consider it in detail."

>>24498044

>>24498043

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9we9djzdkqo

Scottish government found in contempt over Salmond files

3 June 2026

The Scottish government has been found in contempt by the Court of Session for deliberately delaying the publication of the so-called Salmond files.

The court ruled that the government failed to start work on redacting the documents until after Christmas, despite being told to do so on 1 December last year.

The documents, which had been at the centre of a long-running legal battle over a Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure, were eventually published in February.

The court admonished the government and ordered it to pay legal expenses to the information commissioner.

A Scottish government spokesperson said it "acknowledged and respected" the ruling.

The files relate to the inquiry into whether former first minister Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code over her handling of complaints against her late predecessor, Alex Salmond.

Sturgeon was cleared of breaching the code following an independent inquiry by lawyer James Hamilton in 2021.

The information commissioner, David Hamilton, issued the Scottish government with a warning letter on 16 January, requiring the publication of the documents by 22 January.

The government had been found to have "incorrectly withheld" the information on cost grounds.

When that deadline was missed, Hamilton referred the matter to the Court of Session.

In a written judgement, Lady Poole said the Scottish government "deliberately failed" to carry out the redaction by the information commissioner's set date.

The judge said the government's claim they would comply with the order "as soon as possible" showed a "lack of respect" to the commissioner's role.

She also noted the government had failed to "tender an apology" to the commissioner or admit contempt.

And the judge concluded that no steps had been taken to "rectify matters and avoid future repetition".

Lady Poole's judgement acknowledged the government had offered a "partial explanation" for the delay - including the additional complexities because of court orders that were in place - and the significant amount of documentation that was involved.

It also said the information commissioner might have given a slightly longer period for the government to comply because of the Christmas holidays.

>>24674161

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

Why was the government taken to court?

The row centres on James Hamilton's probe into the ministerial code breach.

After Sturgeon was cleared, an FOI request was made to the Scottish government for disclosure of all written evidence involved in the investigation.

The government had rejected that request on the grounds Hamilton was an independent advisor on the ministerial code and therefore was not covered by FOI legislation.

However the information commissioner intervened and order the government to reconsider.

The government challenged that decision in the Court of Session, sparking a lengthy series of complex appeals.

Salmond, who died in 2024, successfully sued the government in 2019 over its mishandling of harassment complaints against him.

He was cleared of sexually assaulting nine women in 2020.

In February First minister John Swinney said the request by the commissioner had been complicated by the need to make redactions to avoid identifying women who had made allegations against Salmond.

At the time of his death, Salmond had launched another lawsuit against the government alleging misfeasance - a civil term which covers the wrongful exercise of lawful authority.

Paul McManus, drummer with Glasgow rock band Gun, took over funding the case in February this year after Salmond's estate was placed into sequestration - equivalent to bankruptcy - over costs linked to the court action.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62qy6gzvxlo

Ex-Tory worker's £1m VAT and money laundering scam

14 February 2025

A former Conservative party branch treasurer was caught running a £1m VAT fraud and money laundering scheme, a court has heard.

Malcolm Macaskill, 65, filed bogus forms to HMRC which grossly overstated the sales from his sandwich businesses to reclaim more than £800,000.

He also laundered £200,000 through his local Conservative parties in Glasgow and Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, where he was treasurer as well as deputy chairman.

Further cash was then funnelled through the bank accounts of his current and ex-wives.

Macaskill, of Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, faced a number of charges including being involved in a fraudulent VAT scheme and receiving criminal property.

He was deemed unfit to stand trial due to him suffering from a brain tumour.

An examination of facts hearing - without a jury - instead took place at Glasgow Sheriff Court to examine the circumstances of the case.

Sheriff Paul Reid concluded the facts against Macaskill had been "established".

Macaskill was not present for most of the hearing. He remains living at his home.

The case was adjourned until later this year.

The scam happened between February 2003 and March 2014.

Macaskill ran the Bigga Bites and Kwik Snax sandwich production companies from a factory in Cambuslang.

The court heard how he submitted 34 false VAT return forms which authorised repayments of £864,971.72 through Bigga Bites.

He also made a bogus claim of an NHS contract with his business to get £88,543 in 2008 from a VAT return claim.

Macaskill then made cash deposits from the fraud into the bank accounts of the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Conservative Association and the Glasgow Conservative Campaign Forum.

A total of 11 cheques were made out to Kwik Snax from the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Conservative Association general account with a value of £8,617.

A further 52 cheques totalling £193,790 were made out to Kwik Snax from the Glasgow Conservative Campaign Forum.

Two cheques worth £6,300 were also made out to Macaskill directly from the organisation.

Macaskill - an ex-district court judge - reportedly received an out-of-court settlement from the Scottish Conservatives in 2012 having been dumped as a Holyrood election candidate.

His removal paved the way for future leader Ruth Davidson to get into parliament.

Macaskill later described the Scots Tories as "inept and morally corrupt".

>>24672577

>>24672460

>>24670160

>>24496231

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

>>24355971 Final NHS Bun

>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement of KPW (Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 34-35 of 47

>>24738564

>>24672577

>>24672460

>>24670160

>>24496231

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

>>24355971 Final NHS Bun

>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement of KPW (Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 36-37 of 47

>>24738564

>>24738581

>>24672577

>>24672460

>>24670160

>>24496231

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

>>24355971 Final NHS Bun

>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement of KPW (Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 38-39 of 47

>>24738604

Not part of the statement, just some info related to the last 2 pages of the statement posted here. Originally sent elsewhere. NOT to be included as part of witness statement of "Peter".

Not only were none of these legal personalities questioned as part of "Case Study No'6, but neither were any of the numerous advisors delegated to each cabinet minister…ie, their personal secretaries, general advisors, legal advisors or special advisors (Spads).

>>24498031

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c04yrvzkdqqo

Ex DUP leader Donaldson guilty of child sex abuse charges including one of rape

Julian O'Neill

22 June 2026

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape, which he committed against two women when they were children.

The 63-year-old former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader showed no emotion and stood in the dock with his hands clasped as the verdicts were read out at Newry Crown Court on Monday.

His wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson had faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, meaning the jury was asked to find out if she did the acts or did not do the acts of which she was accused.

They found that she had done the acts in relation to all five charges – including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband's offending.

The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for 10 hours over three days before coming to their verdicts.

Warning: This article contains distressing information

Donaldson, dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and pink tie, was in the dock at the back of Court One, between two custody officers.

He was asked to stand for the verdicts.

As he was found guilty of each charge, he showed no signs of emotion and stared straight ahead.

Judge Paul Ramsey then remanded Donaldson in custody, telling court officers to "take Mr Donaldson down".

Donaldson, who is due to be sentenced in September, was told it would be a lengthy one.

He was then taken from Newry Crown Court in the back of a prison van to Maghaberry Prison, which is situated in his former constituency of Lagan Valley.

There were two victims in this case and they were referred to as Complainants A and B.

Complainant A is the younger of the two women who Donaldson sexually abused as children.

He was found guilty of eight offences against her, which occurred between 1999 and 2008.

In her interviews with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. which were played in court, Complainant A described a number of encounters with Donaldson including a kiss in which she said he put his tongue in her mouth.

She also said he had put his hands under her bra and rubbed her breasts.

In another encounter, the court heard he used a bright light, possibly a torch, to look at her private parts, an experience that she said made her feel "really frightened".

Complainant A also said his wife Eleanor Donaldson had witnessed the incident when he had rubbed her chest with his hand under her clothing, but did not intervene.

The 10 remaining offences, including the one count of rape, related to Complainant B and were committed between 1985 and 1991.

Like Complainant A, Complainant B took to the stand during the trial and the court also heard an interview she gave to police.

During it she said Donaldson put his hand down her underwear "quite a lot" and detailed the rape.

The court heard of another incident in which Donaldson "lifted her top up and her bra and started to touch her exposed breasts".

Complainant B also said Eleanor Donaldson witnessed an incident in which her husband had "played" with her breasts, but walked away.

Donaldson's arrival at Maghaberry prison

The Northern Ireland Prison Service said once someone is remanded into custody they then "undergo an initial search, property recording, and a preliminary risk assessment in the court custody suite, including consideration of health, substance use and vulnerability".

Upon arriving at Maghaberry Prison they then go through "a standard reception process," a Prison Service statement added.

This includes security checks, a healthcare screening, and an assessment of immediate needs.

A search of the person is then conducted, and personal belongings are either retained or securely stored.

>>24747122

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

'Evil and heinous'

Speaking after the conviction Gavin Robinson, the current DUP leader who took over after Donaldson's arrest, said his crimes were "evil" and "heinous" and that he should be stripped of his knighthood and membership of the Privy Council.

Robinson said today was a day for the victims who had bravely spoken up.

He said what they had been put through by Donaldson's denials was "wicked".

"The impact on the victims of having to come forward and to be forced by their perpetrator's denials to give evidence in all the circumstances was cruel in the extreme," he added.

He added it was now clear beyond doubt that Donaldson had abused various positions of power since 1985 and had tried to cover up his vile and manipulative behaviour.

Robinson said neither he nor any of his colleagues had been aware of the allegations faced by Donaldson and their shock reflected that felt by wider society when they were first revealed.

He said the party had acted decisively when Donaldson had been arrested and suspended him.

Geraldine Hanna, Northern Ireland's victims of crime commissioner, said her thoughts are with the victims, particularly as the case took two years to go through the criminal justice system and was under intense media scrutiny.

"So, I really commend the victims in this case for their courage and their fortitude," she told Evening Extra.

Adding that delays in court cases prolong trauma, she said efforts need to be made to improve that: "So that when victims and survivors come forward to report that they're able to get justice and have their case adjudicated as swiftly and as effectively as possible."

The NSPCC in Northern Ireland said it is vital that abuse victims feel they can speak out.

"The victims in this case, now adults, have shown immense courage in coming forward and giving evidence after decades of living with the impact of Jeffrey Donaldson's abuse," a spokesperson said.

Nexus NI, a charity and support organisation dedicated to helping individuals impacted by sexual abuse and abusive relationships, also praised the complainants.

The charity's CEO Joanne Barnes said it is important to praise their bravery for engaging with the criminal justice process "despite the significant personal cost" it can bring.

"We know that the journey through the justice system can test even the strongest resolve," she added.

>>24498031

>>24747122

>>24747123

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0ry792ep5vo

Donaldson's first night in prison as downfall shakes NI politics

Enda McClafferty

23 June 2026

Jeffrey Donaldson has spent his first night behind bars in Maghaberry Prison.

It is a place he knows well having visited it many times as the local MP.

But never did he think one day that cell door would close behind him and his liberty would be gone.

He has been told to expect a "lengthy sentence" for a string of child sex crimes including rape.

He will face up to 12 hours a day in the cell which he may have to share with another inmate.

According to prison sources he was kept under tight observation through his first night.

On Tuesday he had his breakfast on the landing with other prisoners on the wing.

That will have been a sobering moment for Donaldson and he is likely to attract lots of attention from the other prisoners.

Not all of it positive.

His mobile phone will have been taken and he will have little contact with the outside world.

He will be able to use the phones on the landings and will be entitled to one visit every four weeks.

His dramatic downfall has shaken Northern Ireland's battle-hardened political landscape to its core.

It also triggered a political earthquake at the heart of the largest unionist party - the DUP, which it has still not fully recovered from.

The man known affectionately within unionist circles as just "Jeffrey" is now facing the humiliation of spending a lengthy period in prison and having his many honours stripped away with his reputation in tatters.

Donaldson's demise was laid bare in graphic detail over the course of his four-week trial.

Throughout some harrowing testimony he sat defiant with his arms folded.

According to those who know him best it was classic Donaldson, giving nothing away in the most pressurised of environments.

For them there was never any doubt that he would take the stand.

As a skilled politician with decades of experience of dealing with difficult questions he backed himself to convince the jury of his innocence.

But it didn't work.

The Donaldson downfall has also come at a cost to the DUP.

The former leader was suspended from the party after his arrest and then automatically expelled after two years passed in March in keeping with DUP rules.

During that time the party has steered clear of any public comment to allow "justice to take its course".

But privately the DUP has felt betrayed and disillusioned by the actions of their former leader.

Some within the party blamed him for the loss of three Westminster seats two years ago.

According to senior DUP sources, his arrest and charge with child sex abuse offences dominated discussions on the doorsteps in the run up to the election.

"All they wanted to talk about was Jeffrey and the accusations of child sex abuse, there was just no escaping it," said the source.

Donaldson also appeared in court on the eve of polling day which further damaged the party's election prospects, according to senior sources.

"It was clear a lot of DUP voters felt betrayed and just stayed at home on the day of the election," they added.

But before his arrest Donaldson was credited with uniting the DUP after a period of bitter infighting when the party had three leaders in as many months.

Donaldson led the fight against the post-Brexit trading arrangements when unionists claimed the Northern Ireland protocol weakened Northern Ireland's place in the UK.

He marched the party out of Stormont and only returned after he claimed to have removed the so called "Irish sea border" in the Safeguarding the Union deal with the then conservative government.

We know now that as Donaldson was carefully negotiating that deal in January his two victims met face-to-face.

Two months later they went forward to the police and were interviewed for the first time.

At that very moment their abuser was preparing to travel to Washington where he was widely praised for leading his party back to Stormont and restoring the power sharing institutions.

Jeffrey Donaldson was at the peak of his powers - that was until police arrived at his door the following week and his world came crashing down.

His conviction has also led the TUV leader Jim Allister to question if he had been compromised before he agreed to the deal which other unionists claimed "sold out Northern Ireland".

That is a question the current DUP leadership will be asked about again.

Whatever the fall out, Jeffrey Donaldson will now be remembered for his criminal and not his political past.

>>24498031

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg43p81gqko

Bishop of Northampton charged with child rape

Kris Holland

24 June 2026

A bishop has been charged with two counts of rape against a female under the age of 16.

Staffordshire Police say the charges against David James Oakley, the Bishop of Northampton, follow his arrest in September last year. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Staffordshire between February 2000 and February 2001, the force said.

Oakley, 70, is due to appear at Cannock Magistrates' Court on 14 August.

In a statement, the Catholic Diocese of Northampton - which covers Northamptonshire , Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire - confirmed the charges against Oakley "after an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations".

It said it recognised the case was "very distressing for all concerned", but could not comment further due to active legal proceedings.

According to the diocese, Oakley was born in Stourbridge in the West Midlands and was ordained in 1980.

He served in several parishes within the Archdiocese of Birmingham before becoming Bishop of Northampton in 2020.

Oakley was also a front runner to become leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales at one point.

It's been a pleasure having your country here for the World Cup.

>>24759375

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/john-swinney-nicola-sturgeon-nightmare-37331659

John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon nightmare as 'insiders' come forward to reveal truth of Peter Murrell saga

The BBC is set to take a deep delve into the scandal that has rocked the SNP with a new documentary that will air right across the UK

Douglas Dickie

22 Jun 2026

John Swinney is facing a nightmare 48 hours with Peter Murrell's sentencing hanging over the SNP leader. The party's former chief executive is facing an extended spell in prison after embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

While his early guilty plea and offer to pay back the cash will likely see Murrell dodge his worst-case scenario, he could yet find himself remanded in custody for the foreseeable future. The sentencing will bring the whole saga back into the public domain just as Holyrood prepares to stop for the summer.

Mr Swinney dodged election disaster when the courts decided to push Murrell's first court appearance back until after the Scottish election. But the impact of the story can be seen in the recent Aberdeen South by-election, where the SNP were thumped in Stephan Flynn's old constituency.

Now, the BBC is set to to take a deep delve into the scandal, with a prime-time show on BBC2. Airing on Tuesday night, after Murrell is sentenced, 'The Big Cases: The Man With The Money', promises "insider testimony, analysis and extraordinary revelations from the case".

The documentary will got out at 7pm right across the UK, bringing the Murrell scandal to an English audience, as well as viewers in Wales and Northern Ireland. The show's synopsis reads: "How the husband of Scotland's longest-serving first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, embezzled £400,000 from the party he ran - using a paper trail of lies to cover up a spending spree on luxury goods, from a motor home to coffee machines and even toilet seats.

"Peter Murrell was one of the most powerful figures in Scottish politics, operating away from the spotlight as chief executive of Scotland's ruling party. But behind the scenes, police pieced together a scandal - which ended in a dawn raid - involving hundreds of thousands of pounds in missing money. He pleaded guilty, while his estranged wife, the party's former leader, denied all knowledge.

"From the corridors of Holyrood to the highest ranks of the SNP, loyalties fractured as Mr Murrell's reputation collapsed." The programme makers have called the story one of "power, money and betrayal at the heart of modern Scottish politics".

Murrell's offending coincided with his marriage to Nicola Sturgeon, starting in 2010 and lasting until 2022, the year before Sturgeon stepped down as first minister and SNP leader. She has always denied any knowledge of Murrell's crimes but party figures have accused her of dismissing what turned out to be legitimate concerns about party finances.

Mr Swinney, who was party leader when Murrell became chief executive was at the heart of the SNP leadership during the period of Murrell's offending, has resisted calls for a probe into the party, insisting the police investigation is satisfactory.