Dear All
First Minister Alex Salmond is finding out that politics is a tough old game.
Sometimes trying to do the right thing to help someone out backfires through no fault of your own and you end up with egg on your face.
Alex Salmond has been criticised after he lobbied for an illegal worker to stay in Scotland.
Unfortunately, the man was wanted by the Police on an outstanding warrant for drugs charges.
Alex Salmond didn’t know this when he wrote to the Home Secretary asking for the Chinese man to be given indefinite leave to remain in the country.
So, Alex and his team lives and learns.
Labour MSP Margaret Curran who specialises in fake outrage said;
"Lobbying on behalf of a man wanted by police on drugs charges is a major embarrassment for Mr Salmond”.
If he had known about the drugs charges then it would but since he didn’t, it is only a tiny bit embarrassing.
Each year MPs write hundreds of letters on behalf of their constituents, it is part of their duty as they see it to help the community they represent.
So, the lesson today for politicians, ask more background questions to avoid embarassment or you could end up in the Egg Foo Yung.
Or worse still you could be in Margaret Curran's position, scrambling around like a headless chicken because your MSP job is being phased out, desperate to get voters to like you.
Now, that’s majorly embarrassing.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
First Minister Alex Salmond is finding out that politics is a tough old game.
Sometimes trying to do the right thing to help someone out backfires through no fault of your own and you end up with egg on your face.
Alex Salmond has been criticised after he lobbied for an illegal worker to stay in Scotland.
Unfortunately, the man was wanted by the Police on an outstanding warrant for drugs charges.
Alex Salmond didn’t know this when he wrote to the Home Secretary asking for the Chinese man to be given indefinite leave to remain in the country.
So, Alex and his team lives and learns.
Labour MSP Margaret Curran who specialises in fake outrage said;
"Lobbying on behalf of a man wanted by police on drugs charges is a major embarrassment for Mr Salmond”.
If he had known about the drugs charges then it would but since he didn’t, it is only a tiny bit embarrassing.
Each year MPs write hundreds of letters on behalf of their constituents, it is part of their duty as they see it to help the community they represent.
So, the lesson today for politicians, ask more background questions to avoid embarassment or you could end up in the Egg Foo Yung.
Or worse still you could be in Margaret Curran's position, scrambling around like a headless chicken because your MSP job is being phased out, desperate to get voters to like you.
Now, that’s majorly embarrassing.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
It was a boob though George. Imagine a constituent coming and saying 'I've an illegal working for me and I want you to see if he can stay'.
ReplyDeleteThen of course the chap continued 'he's settled in with the locals.'
Too right he has. He's a drug dealer and Peterhead's got one of the worst reputations for drugs!
No a mistake and Salmond's missed a great opportunity to hold his hands up and say he's not infallible and sorry. If he'd done that he'd have gained votes aplenty.
Dear Subrosa
ReplyDeleteIt was a boob.
Alex Salmond had the wool pulled over his eyes, he should say I and my staff made a mistake.
Saying sorry in his position would only enhance his stature.
In his defence, I would say he didn't know the guy was on the run from the Police.
Having said that I am sure his staff will be more careful next time.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for human Rights at Glasgow University