Dear All
Credibility in politics is important, after all any SNP member elected to public office must serve the public trust as well as their party.
If we can’t hold that simple standard then we don’t deserve to win at the ballot box.
Every member of the SNP must uphold this principle to the letter.
We don’t lie to the public.
Now, we have the situation that a Senior SNP Councillor, Rob Davidson has admitted he lied over his involvement in the internet diary of Mark Maclachlan.
Councillor Davidson told a local newspaper and effectively the public;
“I have already looked into the matter as far as my group is concerned and I am satisfied that no SNP councillor has been involved.”
Given that this was a lie, he should forthwith resign his position as SNP Group leader with immediate effect.
Mr. Davidson should reflect on the Seven Principles of Public Life:-
Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity – Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity – In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness – Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict informtion only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty – Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Credibility in politics is important, after all any SNP member elected to public office must serve the public trust as well as their party.
If we can’t hold that simple standard then we don’t deserve to win at the ballot box.
Every member of the SNP must uphold this principle to the letter.
We don’t lie to the public.
Now, we have the situation that a Senior SNP Councillor, Rob Davidson has admitted he lied over his involvement in the internet diary of Mark Maclachlan.
Councillor Davidson told a local newspaper and effectively the public;
“I have already looked into the matter as far as my group is concerned and I am satisfied that no SNP councillor has been involved.”
Given that this was a lie, he should forthwith resign his position as SNP Group leader with immediate effect.
Mr. Davidson should reflect on the Seven Principles of Public Life:-
Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity – Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity – In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness – Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict informtion only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty – Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Rob Davidson has since been damned by his own hand in an email he sent to Mark MacLachlan;
“I wonder if you might like to draw attention on your blog to the fact that Scottish Labour’s general secretary (Councillor Colin Smyth) was expelled from full council for offensive conduct and refusing to respect the chair. “It might also be a good one for ‘black ops’ to note the fact that no women present voted any other way than to exclude him. This one needs you to work your magic – I can’t go that far myself.”
The time for living in denial appears to be over.
Mr. Davidson has since issued this statement;
“It was an error of judgement which I deeply regret. It was not a clever thing to do. I stand by what I said in the email but I should have made a public statement.”
He can start his apology to the public and the SNP by tendering his resignation as SNP Group Leader followed by a three month suspension from the party.
It is beginning to look like the campaign to vilify Mark MacLachlan has backfired badly.
Finally, some people should remember that the Scottish National Party is supposed to stick up for people who can't fight for themselves.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
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