Peter Kearney, media director of the Catholic Church unrepentant over destroying the life and career of Hugh Dallas, classic 'fuck you' attitude

Dear All

People say things then given a little bit of time to reflect they sometimes realise that they have went over the score.

When Peter Kearney said that hostility to Catholics in Scotland was “deep, wide and vicious”, my first thought was why was he talking out his arse?

Since he blabbed, the Catholic Church’s media director has had a sharply divided reaction to his absurd claims.

He thinks that sectarianism remains a hugely prevalent factor in Scottish society; I say it is limited to a very small minority of hard core bigots on both sides who have nothing in common with ordinary Scottish people.

And the problem usually surfaces in relation to one aspect in Scottish life, football games.

After his ill judged comments appeared in yesterday’s Herald, he has had emails of support and against.

Kearney as bold as brass declares:

“The bigotry, the bile, the sectarian undercurrents and innuendos must end.”

Actually what must end is the ‘sectarian industry’ which has sprung up to deal which an issue that most ordinary Scots consider to be dead and buried.

Kearney also says:

“Reminding Scotland that religious intolerance exists here is a risky business, which is probably why so few people do it.”

Few people do it because they have nothing better to do with their time, Scotland has moved on years ago.

A critic in an email to Kearney said:

“I and a lot of other Scots of every and no denomination feel that these matters are doing nothing to help and everything to incite the bigotry between Catholic and Protestant in Scotland.”

And the writer is absolutely right.

Another person writing to Kearney said should “get their own house in order” before making such accusations.

Which makes me wonder did Peter Kearney come out strong against paedophile priests and call for their expulsion?

I have googled but couldn’t find anything by Kearney supporting the victims of Clerical abuse.

However, it seems that he is a bit of a Celtic lion when it is one man, in this case Hugh Dallas.

Dallas’ crime was a stupid email picture regarding the Pope.

Peter Kearney, media director of the Scottish Catholic Church used his position to destroy that man’s career and go off on a rant.

He said:

“Let no-one be in any doubt, with this shameful episode, Catholics have drawn a line in the sand.”

Perhaps Kearney has been watching jihad videos because he is muttering away like an extremist.

As of yesterday, Peter Kearney is unrepentant about fanning the flames of controversy and getting someone sacked and ruining their career.

He said:

“Today many organisations have an ‘acceptable use’ policy which applies to staff communication by e-mail, it often allows them to brandish their zero tolerance credentials. In most cases, dismissal is the penalty for breaching these strictures. If anyone considers such policies harsh they would do well to take up the matter with employers who use them.”

A short version of what he is saying could be, ‘fuck Hugh Dallas, I don’t care’.

He finishes by saying this:

“Inter-denominational relations in Scotland are, thankfully, excellent. In reality, those who perpetrate acts of bigotry, by their actions, undermine and contradict Christian teaching.”

Just like the people who get people sacked over what is a silly picture, not bigotry and not sectarianism.

A true Scot would have seen the Dallas email for what it is, a silly attempt at humour which end up being blown out of proportion for the purposes of exploitation. Look at this picture is it worth destroying someone's life over? I don't think so and I am sure the majority of Scots would agree with me.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Labour MSP Richard Baker deeply upset that prisoners can ‘choke the chicken’ in prison while watching Babestation TV, can’t he do it in his house?

Dear All

Pick any subject and you will generally find a Labour Party elected member who displays fake outrage to try and grab a headline.

Margaret Curran is a classic example of the Labour ‘angry’ brigade as well.

But let us return to Richard Baker, he is the Labour 'justice' spokesman, he is ‘outraged’, which prompts me to ask:

‘what time is it’?

The cause of his fake outrage is prisoners having access to television from which they can watch freeview Channels like Babestation.

He is upset that prisoners can ‘choke the chicken’ in their cells while looking at women semi naked on tv!

Baker said:

“Prison is not supposed to be a home away from home. The public will be furious at the thought of offenders being allowed to watch hundreds of Freeview channels of their choice on brand new TVs. It would be outrageous if inmates were permitted to view soft pornography and this must not be allowed to happen”.

Instead Richard Baker probably wants prisoners to ‘choke the chicken’ purely relying on memory.

Grown up you anal retentive little man!

Glasgow MSP Bill Aitken, the Conservative justice spokesman puts is predictable by saying:

“Our molly-coddled, undeserving prisoners seem to have every convenience in the jails, including the capacity to watch soft porn. It’s soft touch Scotland personified.”

Aitken is a broken record and a one trick pony which the Scottish people will no longer have to tolerate post Holyrood May 2011.

He is retiring!

‘Choking the chicken’ optional.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said:

“Over 27,000 in-cell TVs have been purchased by the prison service in England and Wales in the past two years and as in Scotland, prisoners have to pay a weekly fee for their use and any purchase of equipment is paid for by prisoners themselves. In-cell televisions have been a feature of prison since 1999 under the previous administration”.

There is nothing wrong in letting prisoners watch television which they pay for, even if it is Babestation.

When we put people in prison we deprive them of their liberty and that is rightly so, however the idea of stopping them accessing television is nonsense, petty and small minded.

If you want a fright click these links here and here and finally here.

These people won’t be appearing on Babestation and for that let us be truly thankful amen!

Now, where’s that chicken?

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Labour MP Gordon Brown accused over his poor record and attendance in the House of Commons, evidence of why Parliamentary recall system is needed

Dear All

Elections are interesting to watch, particularly on election night.

It has a feel rather like a carnival with the excitement from those standing and the press in the hall wondering if anyone will make a breakthrough.

Candidates line up and the Presiding Officer reads out the votes of each candidate and then declares that so and so has been elected to serve as the representative of the people of wherever.

Once in, it is not unreasonable to expect those elected to do the job they were elected and paid to do.

Gordon Brown’s attendance at the Houses of Commons is a disgrace; it makes a mockery of democracy and shows contempt for the people.

Brown made great claims about his moral compass and what his father taught as well as espousing what his social values credentials were.

This was simply words.

However his non attendance joke has gone too far and he has come under fire in the Commons for his apparent failure to attend debates and votes.

Tory MP Greg Hands quite rightly is flagging up that Gordon Brown has spoken only once in the House since May's general election.

The other part of his record is equally appalling, tabling no questions and had made only five of the 131 votes.

During Commons question time, Mr Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) asked the Deputy Commons Leader:

"Would you agree to have a word with the Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, assuming he can be found, and perhaps suggest some orientation might be needed?"

Heath replied:

"I'm sure it would be invidious to discuss the attendance record of any individual right honourable Member. It does worry me, I have to say, if some Members do have problems reconciling the competing pressures of writing books and making well-paid speeches with their duties in this House. However, I do hope that in the context of the present economic situation, those with particular experience of, say, ending boom and bust will feel able to contribute to our debates."

Although this is slapstick by the Tories and Lib Dems it does raise serious points.

I favour a recall system for MP’s such as Gordon Brown who steadfastly refuse to participate in the job they were elected to do.

His time isn’t spent enhancing Parliament; it is spent writing books and getting paid for making speeches on the lecture circuit.

If he thinks this is acceptable then his moral compass which he attributes came from his father is well screwed up.

Gordon Brown isn’t the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, he is the MP for Gordon Brown PLC, cash cow private businessman for rent.

Quite simply, he is a disgrace to public life and as I previously blogged, no leader of men.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Disgraced ex Labour MP Jim Devine faces bailiffs over £35,000 tribunal debt and then in his other court case the possibility of imprisonment for fraud

Dear All

Trouble is like buses, you wait long enough and a whole load comes along all at once.

Disgraced former Labour MP Jim Devine is up on criminal charges alongside other ex Labour MPs over his House of Commons expenses claiming.

Bad enough, court case, loses his seat and now he owes £35,000 because he also lost a tribunal case against Marion Kinley, his former office manager.

To be clear, he was ordered to pay the money by a judge and as yet Marion Kinley hasn’t received a single bean for her trouble.

Now for Devine things are getting uglier Solicitors acting for Marion Kinley are now planning to stop the ex-Labour member from selling his house until she gets her money.

This could mean that the bailiffs maybe called in to access Devine’s resettlement grant.

The context of the £35,000 award to Marion Kinley was because of bullying and harassment suffered by her while an employee of Devine.

One such incident was when Devine got his friend Fiona Fox to put in a hoax telephone call to his ex-office manager.

She thinks the reason for what she describes as a bizarre call was to drive down her wages.

Everything blew up in his face and it was ruled that she was constructively dismissed.

Kinley said:

“It’s been over six weeks since I won my case for constructive dismissal and I have not received a single penny of my award. In the judgment it was clear the Commons had responsibility to pay the compensation for loss of pension but they are refusing to do so without authorisation from Mr Devine. Therefore, the only option left is to instruct bailiffs to go to the House of Commons and recover the monies set aside for Mr Devine’s resettlement grant and pension.”

And then there is case at Southwark Court which may see Jim Devine end up in prison.

Someone who had every opportunity and a duty to treat people properly and who threw it all away because they thought they were untouchable.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Peter Kearney, Catholic Media Office says hostility to Catholics is ‘deep, wide and vicious’, anyone seen an iceberg of hate floating about?

Dear All

The Catholic Church likes to speak out on issues.

Peter Kearney is the director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office.

He says that hostility to Catholics in Scotland is “deep, wide and vicious”.

Recently there has been a bit of trouble down at the SFA which saw Hugh Dallas sacked over an email which mocked the pope during his recent visit to Scotland.

Kearney said:

“Let no-one be in any doubt, with this shameful episode, Catholics in Scotland have drawn a line in the sand. The bigotry, the bile, the sectarian undercurrents and innuendos must end. Such hateful attitudes have had their day. They poison the well of community life. They must be excised and cast out once and for all.”

He continues by informing us all that the “tasteless” e-mails may simply be “the tip of a disturbing iceberg of anti-Catholicism in Scottish society”.

Anyone seen any icebergs floating about in Glasgow?

If it is so “deep, wide and vicious” as claimed why aren’t we seeing more court cases in the media!

Where does he get his ‘evidence’ of the Scottish iceberg of bigotry?

Yes, there is sectarianism but you can usually see a common factor in it, Football Games, particularly old firm games where some fans seem to think 22 guys kicking a ball full of air on a piece of grass is a re-enactment of some centuries old battles of a primitive time.

Peter Kearney claims sectarianism showed little sign of disappearing, so why isn’t he calling for Rangers FC and Celtic FC to be both closed?

Isn’t that the logical conclusion to help start solving the problem.

The Hugh Dallas email was stupid there is no question about that given his position and the fact he should have known better.

Peter Kearney wrote to the SFA and demanded that they sack Dallas; they duly did given the coverage this incident received.

Sectarianism like racism and other ‘ism’s’ will never disappear in any society but the fact is Scotland is a better place to live in now than previous times, ordinary people moved it forward, not Churches or Government.

Leading historian Professor Tom Devine based at Edinburgh University said of Mr Kearney’s comments:

“Whether one accepts it or not, it is historically significant. This is the first time that an official spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland has come out to say this with such vehemence.”

I take the view that his comments of a bigoted Scotland are not historically significant and Kearney has form for being off the beam.

For example in December 2008 he attracted widespread ridicule when he claimed that the popular children's song and dance the "Hokey Cokey" was a "faith hate crime".

Perhaps he is in favour of burning books and destroying history.

Maybe Peter Kearney should learn tolerance himself:

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Catholic-church-condemn-gay-adoption.4920622.jp

After reading this, is there a case for calling for his removal?

How can he call for tolerance while saying it is okay to discriminate?

Doesn’t he believe in fairness and equality?

Peter Kearney without thought destroyed someone’s personal life (Hugh Dallas) because of a silly act of stupidity on Dallas’s part which found its way into the public domain.

Surely as a Christian he is versed in the concept of turning the other cheek.

I am not buying into Peter Kearney’s vision of a bigoted Scotland where sectarianism is “deep, wide and vicious”.

If he wants to know what Scotland’s ‘secret shame’ really is, it is the sectarian industry which has sprung up under the Labour Party to ‘manage’ the people and keep Scotland divided using religion as a stick.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Celine Dion - It's All Coming Back To Me Now

Free music - It's All Coming Back To Me Now

Human rights abusing Glasgow University gets Police visit as University staff and students harass old woman invited to student union, 3 arrests

Dear All

Last night there was a student/staff protest at the human rights abusing Glasgow which attracted a hefty Police presence of eight vans and two squad cars!

And no the Police weren’t turning up for a free buffet but a bit of shouting in the street.

A protest involving about two dozen students!

Three arrests took place for alleged breach of the peace during the demonstration.

The protest was to coincide with a visit by beleaguered Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie to Glasgow University Union.

She came for a feed, poor dear has had a hard week with knives out for her within her own party and protestors wanting to shout at her for an issue which has sod all to do with her.

The protesters were part of a range of campus groups and trade unions which are opposed to the Coalition Government’s education cuts and proposed tuition fee rises.

Why bend her ear, it isn’t like she controls Scottish Government policy or ever will.

Hassle an innocent harassed pensioner on her way to get some quality nosebag time!

What a load of swine!

One student, John Coan, 34, said:

“There’s been a huge police overreaction. What the taxpayers in Govan, Maryhill and the east end of Glasgow think about this sort of police presence, they can make their own minds up.”

Maybe they would be wondering why 24 clowns standing shouting the street have nothing better to do!

A University employee attending the rally of abusing pensioners said:

“They just arrested three students for doing nothing more than shouting. I thought that was what happened in China. I didn’t realise it could happen in Glasgow.”

Does he know that Glasgow University practices discrimination against innocent working class people?

Does he know that corrupt foreigner Anton Muscatelli covered up criminal fraud?

You can read this by clicking the link.

http://glasgowunihumanrights.blogspot.com/2009/08/glasgow-university-senior-management.html

The employee added:

“I was allowed a university education with a grant and everything, and it’s unfair that these kids are not going to be allowed to do that.”

And whose fault is that?

Not Annabel Goldie.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police (the forces of law and order) confirmed that two men, aged 20, and a third man, aged 25, had been arrested for alleged breach of the peace.

Given that there were eight vans and two squad cars was it really breach of the peace?

Hardly the attack at Tory HQ was it!

Meanwhile over in the east of the country Professor Bernard King, Principal of Dundee’s Abertay University, said the Scottish Government’s budget plans for next year would leave universities £67 million worse off.

Well; the answer is simple, slim down universities and divert resources to the college sector which produces a better ratio of student to the pound.

For too long the university sector has been left to build little mini empires without proper scrutiny by politicians.

In future people at the human rights abusing Glasgow University should have more respect for old dears going about their lawful business getting a feed.

Luckily, Glasgow University Child Sex Predator Andrew Byrne wasn’t there so no children were molested or raped.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish Police back the idea of a National Police force, it seems George Laird ideas are getting popular again, real substance, real change

Dear All

Awhile ago, I went to a political meeting on 4th September, at that meeting you could put forward ideas.

One of my ideas was for a single Scottish Police Force in Scotland.

Now, Police superintendents are backing a single Scottish force like them I made the point that savings must be ploughed back into frontline policing.

The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (Asps) has given the green light and a "qualified yes" to Scottish Government's plans.

At the meeting I was surprised that after suggesting the idea, the Chairperson put my name down beside my suggestion.

A single Police in Scotland is desirable, not just from a financial aspect but in terms of operational requirements.

The single force doesn’t mean loss of autonomy in areas; local priorities would still be address in those areas as normal.

And then there is the issue of ‘talent’, not every officer is a specialist and having the ability to drawn on expertise from outside the geographic area would help solve crimes and be a useful educational tool so officers could learn from more experienced personnel.

David O'Connor, president of Asps, said:

"We take the view that criminals are not restricted by geographical boundaries, neither should the police be. That should not mean weakening local community policing, which must remain about police officers working within local communities, with a police station at the heart, led by a local commander. If a single force is the way forward it must produce financial and operational benefits, and savings that are made need to be reinvested in frontline policing and local communities."

Exactly my point!

Think One Force, many areas!

Cliff Anderson, general secretary of Acpos, which represent chief police officers, said:

"Work is under way led by the Scottish Policing Board, involving Acpos, Scottish Government and the police boards which is examining all aspects of the service in Scotland. By looking closely at how policing functions are delivered, we will be able to identify if there are better ways of working and if there is a case for changing force boundaries."

So, it seems that everyone recognises this is a winner and hopefully the Scottish Government will too.

There are other examples of agencies working on a Scotland wide basis, the Police should be no different.

My idea isn’t just based on saying money to plough back into frontline services; it is to make Scotland have a 21st Century Police Service fit for purpose that addresses all the issues with capacity to take on additional responsibilities as the nature of its role expands.

At the same meeting I proposed the same for the Fire and Ambulance Services in Scotland.

More for less while still allowing people to have a future career in public service!

Bernard Ponsonby recently described the idea of a Scottish National Police Force on Politics Now as bold and innovative.

George Laird right again?

Depends on the Scottish Government but the Police seem to think so!

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

IPSO MORI Poll puts Labour Party on track for majority at Holyrood 2011 election, what does it say that no policies and no vision go unquestioned?

Dear All

A recent poll has put Labour on track to become Holyrood's largest party.

If the voting intentions hold up that means the poor people of Scotland get the ‘East Coast Weasel’, Labour MSP Iain Gray as Scotland’s First Minister.

There is less than six months to go to the Scottish Parliament elections and if anyone else is wanting to be the Government of Scotland then they better have more than ‘aspiration’ and populist policies to offer the people.

The Labour Party in Scotland is minded to allow Council tax to go up making the case that this will protect jobs and services.

As I previously blogged Holyrood 2011 is all about explaining pain!

The Ipsos Mori poll for The Times which put Labour ahead bears out my thoughts of what the public want.

George Laird right again?

Well it wouldn’t be the first time but despite having an impressive record of 100% predicting who is going to win, I talk to some people who have an equally impressive track record of 100% failure and won’t do anything to change that.

My English friend explained the mentality to me as ‘follow the flag’; this means that they just want to walk about taking part with no agenda for winning.

41% of people are backing the Labour Party.

13% are backing the Tories.

11% are backing the Liberals Democrats

This is in first past the post votes.

In the regional vote;

Labour was backed by 36% of those certain to vote.

Tories are on 12%.

Liberal Democrats are sitting on 9%.

If those figures were replicated in the Holyrood elections, Labour would win 58 seats in the Scottish Parliament.

58 seats and remember Labour destroyed the UK economy.

This means they will have 12 more seats than they have at the moment.

Even the Greens who are irrelevant with two MSPs, could have three after the election.

Holyrood 2011 is all about explaining pain and bringing policies of substance to the table.

Iain Gray as First Minister is a joke but what does it say that he and his party are seen as so elected?

It says that others should review their current stances but then some people only want to ‘follow the flag’.

It isn’t just the Tories that need to adopt change.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

In defence of Tory MSP Annabel Goldie, top Tories demand Scots leadership election in six months; short sighted vision doesn’t solve problems

Dear All

Desperate people do desperate things, for example the Scottish Tories have done a review to try and make them electable.

To that end they have looked at the party’s leadership and structure in Scotland.

You would think that the review by party grandee Lord Sanderson would focus on the real problem, policies.

But it wasn’t really part of the mix.

The current leader of the Scottish Tories is their Holyrood leader Annabel Goldie; she has done what must be considered a great job treading a very fine line of what is called ‘principled opposition’.

Her problem is that she can’t despite the best will in the world build a house without materials and the correct manpower.

In Scotland, it is difficult to name a Tory MSP and what they do if anything.

The ones that come to mind are Annabel Goldie, Murdo Fraser, Bill Aitken and Derek Brownlee.

The rest are pretty much, who, followed by are they?

Sanderson in his report fails to recognise what is the Scottish Tories most prized asset, Annabel Goldie.

Instead he cites need for a replacement of “the weak leadership and governance framework with a streamlined, transparent and accountable structure”.

So; what else is Sanderson up to as well as undermining Annabel Goldie?

Sanderson Recommendations are:

Replace the weak leadership and governance framework
Elect a Scottish leader to have overall responsibility for the party’s performance in Scotland
Develop a clear and distinctive Conservative vision for Scotland
Introduce balloted motions and debate at party conference
Increase support for local associations
Create regional campaign centres staffed by professionals
Recruit a chief policy adviser
Overhaul candidate selection and reform MSP ranking system
Establish a process to identify and develop future party leaders
Contest every local government seat in Scotland

Some of these suggestions I already called for in the party I am a member of.

But no one listens to George Laird, like Sanderson I also wrote a report.

Trying to elect someone is really a professional job and considering that people expect to get an entire country if successful, it beggar’s belief the way that some people carry on.
Of course some people who become Party Candidates and eventually MSPs are unelectable no matter how professional a job can be done on the ground.

The list system is full of people who the public repeatedly reject and in some cases even their own branch rejects as unsuitable.

One such person will become an MSP next year after being rejected by the branch they were a member of.

What is funny is that the Tories are supposed to be smart but the review flags up poor accountability and decision-making.

They have no clear vision for the party’s future and no clear strategy for its delivery; this is because they don’t want to adopt policies that ordinary people want.

It is their vision or nothing!

And the public are saying we will take nothing.

At the General Election the Tories managed to hold on to one seat in Scotland, David Mundell was returned to Westminster.

In Newton Mearns which is affluent the Tories were in with a chance but Richard ‘goofy’ Cook couldn’t do the business, the Tory vote although high wasn’t high enough.

What was Richard Cook and that branch up to for 5 years?

Truth be told; no one knows because everyone in branches wanders about doing their own thing!

Have a read of Cook’s diary:

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2009/04/diary-of-a-ppc-richard-cook-east-renfrewshire.html

What are looking for?

A clear strategy, what I see is a series of events which don’t link up.

Although creeping about in the dark leafleting and canvassing serves a purpose, who sees the Tories out and about?

And when other than election time do you see them in sink estates like Pollok, Possil and Easterhouse?

This point is proven in the Sanderson Report when he writes about the operations of constituency associations across the country.

Tories in Scotland are very much an election time only party in some areas, particularly deprived ones.

The Holyrood election 2011 will not bring the Tories any real success, they have nothing to offer.
So, moving swiftly along the knives will be out for Annabel Goldie after that election. Sanderson wants a leadership election should take place directly after the Scottish Parliament elections in May.

The Sanderson Report is titled Building for Scotland “because that is what the Scottish Conservatives must do”.

To build you need the right foundations, the right policies and the right people.

Annabel Goldie is a keystone not just of the Scottish Parliament but of Tory image.

Throwing her on the scrapheap is short term, naïve and plain silly, who could have done better?

No one is the answer, she has done extremely well.

I say this as a plain speaker looking at the facts; she isn’t a lame duck leader by any stretch of the imagination.

She doesn’t have the tools, policies and manpower to do a better job and that isn’t her fault.

To win seats the Tories have to adopt Scottish centre left policies which are more radical that anything previously on offer.

Sanderson got the title of his report wrong, “Building for Scotland because that is what the Scottish Conservatives must do”.

When it should have been ‘Building for the Scottish People because that is what the Scottish Conservatives must do”.

Infrastructure doesn’t vote; people do!

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Love Don't Live Here - Madonna

For Alex Prentice’s Case against Tommy Sheridan

Free music - Love Don't Live Here Anymore

Crown Office in retreat as a total of eight subsections on the indictment deleted at the High Court in Glasgow in the Tommy Sheridan Case

Dear All

It is beginning to look like a retreat.

In the hit trial of Tommy Sheridan, Alex Prentice QC for the Crown Office is struggling after dropping several allegations made against former Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) MSP Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail.

This in submarine war movies is the equivalent of ‘two fish’ below the water line in the SS Team Angiolini tanker.

“High speed screw torpedo in the water”!

The Crown has decided not to pursue Sheridan over two allegations of lying under oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World in 2006.

This is a humiliating setback of epic proportions.

Alex Prentice should have prepared his case better so that it was tighter than a duck’s arse in the rainy season.

The jury must be sitting there thinking if charges are getting dropped like confetti maybe others will fall.

Also two allegations of perjury were also dropped against Gail Sheridan, it seems that things are falling apart; Alex Prentice’s prize case seems to raise him to greatness is in trouble.

A total of eight subsections on the indictment were deleted at the High Court in Glasgow.

These accusations related to an alleged sex party at the Moat House hotel in Glasgow.

Advocate Depute Alex Prentice QC told the jury:

"I have been able to review matters and I have moved to delete some parts of the indictment."

A statement of a desperate man methinks trying to get his case back on track.

The deleted allegations stated Sheridan had lied at the civil jury trial at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Sheridan said that there had been "no event" at the Moat House hotel in June 2002 where he was alleged to have had sex with Beverley Dixon.

SS Team Angiolini tanker with ‘Captain’ Alex Prentice is torpedoed below the water line badly, fire in the engine, lifeboats non functional and heading for the rocks.

It would be quite understandable if Alex Prentice QC was given some time to go to the Procurator Fiscal's Office, 10 Ballater Street Glasgow, G5 9PS and scream ‘bastards’ for a few hours while throwing objects through the windows.

This is in legal terms is a massive kick in the bollocks with a diver’s boot!

I would love to see a spoof Downfall video along the lines of ‘in the bunker after Glasgow East’.

The hit trial against Tommy Sheridan continues.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Third of homes experience real hardship as fuel poverty grows, ‘heat or eat’ isn’t a slogan for some, it’s a way of life for many in Scotland

Dear All

Fuel poverty isn't funny, living in a cold flat or house day in day out takes it toll.

Some people have no choice, they face a dilemma ‘heat or eat’.

Increasing energy prices are great for the utilities companies who are raking in massive profits.

But the poor struggle as cash becomes even tighter.

One tenth of households were estimated to be in "extreme" fuel poverty.

I am one of them.

And more people will be joining me in the future; things aren’t getting better despite the political hype from Westminster.

Housing charity Shelter Scotland said the number brings "shame" on the nation.

The cost of fuel increased by 19.5% between July 2008 and July 2009!

For those on low incomes they never saw matching rises in their income, they have only one option do without.

This winter is shaping up to be extremely cold, a month out from officially winter and it is bitter outside and inside for some.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said:

"For one of the world's more wealthy countries like Scotland to now have more than one third of its households, 770,000, living in fuel poverty or extreme fuel poverty brings shame on our nation. If this trend continues, a rise of 8% on last year's figure, the Scottish Government is never going to hit its target of eradicating fuel poverty and certainly has no hope of meeting the 2016 pledge. The Scottish Government can make a difference by prioritising the building of new energy-efficient housing and raising the standard of existing housing stock."

Isn’t it ironic that people like MPs on six figures Ministerial salaries cannot manage the UK economy but the poor can stay within budget?

But then the poor have no choice but to be financially prudent and freeze.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Tory David Cameron thinks he can turn Scottish people around to vote Tory at Holyrood 2011 election, no gimmick will achieve that, Tories not welcome

Dear All

David Cameron says has not given up on Scotland.

Eh?

He has abandoned Scotland to the Lib Dems, kicked it into the long grass to concentrate on England.

So, who is he kidding seriously?

Scotland hates Tories.

In a pathetic piece of sack cloth and ashes he states that the Conservative Party had in the past not been pro-Scotland and pro-Union enough.

The only ‘pro’ that the Tories have ever been is using Scotland for every dirty nasty little pilot to punish the poorest in society.

Can the Scottish Tories be ‘more Scottish and more pro-Union’?

And would ordinary Scots care?

No matter how the Tories try to package themselves, the same smell leaks out that turn the guts of Scottish people.

The next initiative of Cameron’s is because of the forthcoming Holyrood election in 2011.

At a lunch for journalists he was asked if he would be a vote loser during the Scottish parliamentary campaign.

He says:

“No, I’m not yet a vote loser, I hope”.

He is right to have doubt, he is a vote loser.

Truth be told, he might be a big hit with his Scottish Tory clique supporters but outside that group Scottish people have no time for ‘Supermarket Dave’

He has nothing in common with ordinary Scots.

Another gem by Cameron:

“At the end of the day are there lots of people who would support a pro-enterprise, pro-family, modernising public services, small state, Big Society approach to politics? Yes, there are. If you look anywhere in Europe, there is a decent level of support for a strong, centre-right party. We haven’t managed to convince people in Scotland that is the party we are.”

Looking at the statement as a road map it looks reasonable but the Devil is in the detail of how you get there.

The Tories talk about ‘Big Society’, people volunteering to put something back into their communities for the common good.

I have done volunteering in the past and there is a certain fulfilment in helping others.

The Cameron vision is a nightmare, how can Big Society function when people who through no fault of their own can be used to do forced menial labour?

How can Big Society work when people can be thrown out of their social housing?

How could Cameron sell that vision to Scots?

He can’t and ordinary people would quite rightly repel from such treatment of others.

Cameron thinks it is acceptable to strip people of the little dignity they have left when they fall on hard times.

The same mentality of the club he belonged to called the Bullingdon Club.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullingdon_Club

Rich people who wreck people’s lives without thought to the harm they do.

Heather McLeod, a Tory PPC let the cat out of the bag when she describes the Scottish Tories as like a ‘nest of vipers’.

The message for Cameron in 2011 at the Holyrood election will be the same message sent by generations of Scots, Scotland hates Tories.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Asian Paedophile Gang who targeted children as young as 12 convicted in Derby, 26 victims, the sentences should be draconian and harsh

Dear All

An Asian paedophile gang have been convicted of a catalogue of offences against vulnerable girls who they preyed on and abused.

The Asian leaders Abid Mohammed Saddique, 27, and Mohammed Romaan Liaqat, 28 would target and befriended the girls, plied them with alcohol, then took themto "parties" where they were often used for sex.

26 victims and one was aged as young as 12.

The Asian men were caught following an undercover investigation by Derbyshire Police, dubbed Operation Retriever.

Such was the magnitude that the case was split into three trials.

The third trial has ended and the two ringleaders received more convictions for sex crimes.

In total 13 men was charged and 11 stood trial for a string of charges with 9 of them convicted!

Prosecutor Yvonne Coen QC said:

"They preyed on young girls who were vulnerable, either because of their age and because of their own personal circumstances. They exploited these girls either for their own sexual satisfaction or for their friends."

Juries at the trials were told the victims were mostly schoolgirls.

Asian paedophiles Saddique or Liaqat would predominantly do the targeting embarked on a "campaign of calls and texts".

Once ensnared the children would be plied with cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and "sometimes a ride in a flash or sporty car".

Then the girls would be forced to have sex with, or perform sex acts on, various people.

Saddique, of Northumberland Street, Normanton, Derby, was convicted of four counts of rape as well as two counts of false imprisonment, two of sexual assault, three charges of sexual activity with a child, perverting the course of justice, and aiding and abetting rape.

Liaqat, of Briar Lea Close, Sinfin, Derby, was found guilty of one count of rape, two of sexual assault, aiding and abetting rape, affray, and four counts of sexual activity with a child.

Both men also pleaded guilty to causing a person under 18 to be involved in pornography.

Given the number of victims and the offences they will hopefully spent several years in prison.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Student fees rioter Edward Woollard pleads guilty to throwing a fire extinguisher from the roof of Millbank, he should face lengthy prison sentence

Dear All

Student protest is part of student life but there are limits.

The student who threw a fire extinguisher off the roof of Millbank tower during tuition fee riots outside Conservative Party headquarters has admitted he done it.

The fire extinguisher dropped from the height of 70ft could have killed someone; it was a deliberate and incredibly stupid act.

So what should happen to Edward Woollard who is 18?

Prison!

Not a fine and not community service, this incident warrants jail time.

Appearing at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, his solicitor Matt Foot said:

“Mr Woollard is pleading guilty and I make it very clear he is very sorry for his actions.”

Given there is photo evidence, he is bang to rights.

Woollard has admitted one charge of violent disorder, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison under the Public Order Act.

The Crown should be pushing for the maximum sentence in this case to adequately punish Woollard and send a clear message, protest fine, violent protest prison.

Prosecutor Robert Short told District Judge Nicholas Evans the case was not suitable for sentencing at the magistrates' court because this incident is too serious for the lower court.

So Woollard will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court at a later date.

Short said:

“It involves throwing an empty fire extinguisher from the roof of the Millbank tower towards officers and members of the public below. The risk there was considerable.”

Friends of Woollard have set up a Facebook group to supporting him. They claim that he is a 'quiet guy who wouldn't intentionally hurt anybody'.

Photo evidence to the contrary and such naivety on their part!

Sometimes sorry or even very sorry isn’t enough, innocent people could have been hurt or killed.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young

For the Glasgow Labour Council Group

Free music - Love Is In The Air

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer, Tory Mayor Mike Eckersley faces calls to resign after claiming Hitler had the ‘right idea’ about travellers

Dear All

Tories are still the ‘nasty’ party.

A Tory Mayor makes the press by claiming Adolf Hitler had the 'right idea' about moving travellers out of the country.

Will they never learn?

Councillor Mike Eckersley has since apologised for his mental outburst made during a meeting.

The boy upset, blurted it out during a 'heated debate'.

Now there are calls for him to go from his county council colleagues.

In politics, people sometimes lose the rag and say all sorts of things in the heat of the moment but if they recognise what they said was unacceptable then a public apology usually ends the matter.

Tory Cllr Eckersley said:

“There was a heated debate going on about what we could and could not do. I said Hitler had an idea of moving people to another country, but I said we were bound by Europe and there was a duty to provide for travellers. We have to work with travellers, it’s as simple as that. I have absolutely no problems with travellers in Prestatyn. I agree I could have worded what I said better and I apologise if I have caused any offence.”

Watch them words!

Fellow councillor Peter Duffy who is of Romany descent said Eckersley should stand down:

“I think these comments are shocking”.

Yes, they are.

Duffy added:

“The travelling community contribute a lot to the local economy around here and employ a lot of people, I think there will be a lot of angry people on the back of these comments. I really do think he should resign as the Mayor of Prestatyn and as a county councillor, because I do not know how anyone who could make these comments could remain a mayor or a councillor.”

Hopefully in future, he will remember that people in public office shouldn’t get upset and angry and should try and build consensus in meetings.

And if he wants to invade Poland, he will have to go on his own because no one will lend him a tank division, it's too near xmas.

The ‘Nasty’ Party is alive and kicking 2010 spreading fear, hate and dissent through-out the land.

The Party of Cameron!

The Party of Gove!

The Party of Osborne!

The Party of Fox!

The Party of Thatcher!

The Party of Mike Eckersley

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Strathclyde Police taking an interest in Labour Councillor of shame Stephen Curran, why are Police monitoring elected politicians, is 2010, new 1984

Dear All

Hello hello hello what’s all this then me old beauty?

Just a ditto, someone at Strathclyde Police was using their computer, IP address 217.41.241.2

Who where they interested in?

Labour Councillor of shame Stephen Curran!

With some elected politicians getting visits by the Police in recent times, one can only wonder what the Police interest is in Curran.

Maybe Labour Councillor of shame Stephen Curran should ask in case six armed gezzers with heckler and koch MP5 and G36’s suddenly turn up as his pad and crash through the door all guns blazing.

When Tommy Sheridan was raided, it upset the young people in the household.

It is interesting that Strathclyde Police are being so proactive in covertly spying the lives of Glasgow Councillors, it seems a bit 1984.

Could Chief Constable Stephen House of Strathclyde Police provide an explanation of what his force is up to?

I would like to hear it.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Glasgow Labour Council of shame flag up £90 million pounds of spending cuts over the next two years, the people need new vision at City Chambers

Dear All

Glasgow is controlled by a Labour Council of shame.

And it is shame, shame that the people of Glasgow must suffer until they have the courage to kick them out and return the city to the people.

Glasgow Labour Party has treated them as second class citizens.

The latest implosion facing the people under Gordon ‘free dinners’ Matheson are a £90 million-plus cuts over the next two years.

Tony Blair famously said:

‘Education, education, education’!

And in part education is a route out of poverty for some so why the slow learning curve at Glasgow Council?

In the Glasgow Labour Council of shame education is taking the brunt of cuts as the city’s weak leadership struggle to balance the books despite getting the more money from the Scottish Government budget for a council than anyone else.

Gordon Matheson, Glasgow city council leader says:

“This is the hardest budget we have ever faced. All I am asking the Scottish Government to do is be fair to Glasgow”.

How much more fairer can they be when Glasgow Council gets the most money of any Scottish Council?

Glasgow suffers from an ideas vacuum when it comes to making money, schools are underused; they could make income from providing services which the College Sector has tapped into.

New vision is needed in Glasgow about what a school is used for, it is time to go multi purpose.

Public service reform is sorely needed as Glasgow is paralysed by the jobsworth brigade who cannot see past the end of their noses.

Why aren’t Councils making profits, if the private sector can do surely so can a local authority.

The problem is top heavy management who have no aspiration because that’s the way they have always done it.

So, what is the problem to be addressed?

Volume, Council Services and ALEOS need to be financially, educationally and attractive to boost their appeal and get a greater share of the citizen’s income.

People will pay for quality and good service, but does Glasgow offer that?

Everyone has their council horror story to tell including me.

Yes, there has to be cuts but there also has to be vision and planning to help the Council make money and Schools and Sports Centres can be test beds for improving quality and service delivery.

Public Service reform must be geared towards maximising opportunities for both the city and the people.

It is about time that the Labour Council of shame paid more attention to the needs of the people of Glasgow.

Any halfwit can cut a budget but it is a false economy because they don’t understand the fundamental principle:

‘The business of business is business!’

Money is out there; you just have to have a business plan that works, maybe Gordon ‘free dinners’ Matheson should get a grip of his full pay ‘part time job’ Councillors.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Edinburgh Council may privatise their Hogmanay party, this event should be protected and funded by the Scottish Government; it showcases Scotland

Dear All

Remember this:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne?

Well it appears if you live in Edinburgh auld acquaintances will be forgotten as Council Chiefs consider “privatising” Scotland’s largest Hogmanay public street party.

The annual event in the Capital is one of the highlights that beam Scotland round the world as television showcases the Scottish Celebration of New Year.

Only one problem, over the last three it has been running at unacceptable loss.

This gets the question, if the Council can’t or don’t have the expertise to make a profit shouldn’t they get help or outsource the running?

The people of Edinburgh rightly expect a free Hogmanay public street party and as Council taxpayers they deserve it and have paid for it.

What I can’t understand is why the event ran for five days in the first place, when it should be cut down to three.

The Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Party is a massive money earner which benefits many businesses in the city with tourists flocking to the event, so it should be save and protected as a national event.

The problem with councils is that they don’t think like commercial companies in how to generate profits, they aren’t innovative; they just live off their budgets because there is no incentive to operate areas to be profitable.

The ticket administration price is £15 this year, £15 to attend the largest Hogmanay public street party!

Clearly this is too low; you could charge double that price and still get people willing to come for what is one of Edinburgh’s special nights.

If you think about £15 to hear some of the top bands in Britain is peanuts.

The Council have to understand that events like this are purely business.

And the business of business is business.

A council source opines:

“The new year celebrations are an asset to the city and to the wider economy. But the council tax-payer should not have to foot the bill. Scale may also be a factor in future.”

This is the wrong mentality, rather than organically grown the event, they are are retreating because they have adopted a council budget mentality.

One document to councillors said:

“Each year it (Edinburgh’s Hogmanay) generates in excess of £30m of economic impact for the city. This does not, however, directly relieve the requirement of council funding. The costs of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay are considerable and most relate to the street party element.”

Surely £30 million in revenue flowing into city businesses is worth protecting?

Some times you have to take a hit for the greater good but it doesn’t stop you planning for success.

Can Edinburgh Council do that?

The trams fiasco raises doubts on their abilities to manage.

Jenny Dawe, council leader, said:

“At a time when money is so tight, it is understandable that questions are asked about continued support for campaigns and events. However, I remain totally committed to the concept of supporting our tourist, creative, transport and retail industries with major campaigns and events, while recognising that all partners need to operate as efficiently as possible.”

Just words from Lib Dem Council leader Jenny Dawe!

Given the significance of the Edinburgh Hogmanay event, it should be funded by the Scottish Government by a special grant. The event is more than itself; it is about enhancing the reputation of Scotland around the world.

If the people who run it can’t manage and make a profit then get rid of them and get someone who can.

The biggest event in Scotland must be protected.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Tory millionaire David Cameron brings forward plans to kick the poorest in society out of their social housing after two years, Tory/Lib Dem fairness

Dear All

The Tories as part of their pitch to the people before the Westminster election was that they understood fairness and they had got the message.

Britain they pledged would be made fairer.

That was of course a lie, the nasty party had gone; they just changed their language, tried new gimmicks and kept using the word ‘change’.

But Tories don’t change; they are the party of the rich with a hatred of the poor.

Their latest obscenity new social housing tenants could be kicked out of their homes after as little as two years under Tory/Lib Dem Government plans.

Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems aren’t fighting against this?

Deep down Clegg is a Tory and he has sold his party down the river.

This will only apply to people in England, Scotland is unaffected by the change.

Under reforms to be announced on Monday, councils and housing associations will be able to offer contracts of just two years.

Tenants whose financial circumstances have improved could then be evicted, although they would be entitled to at least six months' notice.

Is this fairness?

Or is a lock to further trap people in poverty?

This move will further add weight that Nick Clegg has to go, if he won’t oppose such measures then his party will have to get rid of him.

Coalition Ministers claim the new measures will the system fairer, by giving social housing landlords more flexibility in trying to accommodate people with the greatest need.

Or a charter to kick people out into the street so they can put up the rents!

This isn’t about fairness; it is about profit before people.

Iain Duncan Smith was appointed to bring fairness back into society; he failed, failed because he didn’t get the concept of fairness established in the minds of his own party.

So far we have seen plans for forced labour and now people getting their homes taken off them.

Now do the people of England understand why Scots don’t vote Tory?

Cameron, Osborne and Clegg don’t care about the poor because they have effectively jobs for life and are rich.

Tory millionaires aren’t fighting for Britain; they are just fighting for a small social and political elite that wants to continue maximising their wealth at the expense of the poorest in society.

And what luck that the Lib Dems are fully onboard.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Labour MP Eric Joyce banned from driving, spends night in the cells, taken to court in handcuffs and fined £400, drink driving kills, he has no excuse

Dear All

Recently Labour MP Eric Joyce wrote a piece on a website called Labour Uncut.

It was in part a defence of Phil Woolas who lost his Commons seat for breaking the Representation of the People’s Act by publishing lies about his Lib Dem opponent in a deliberate smear campaign.

You can read the piece by following the link;

http://labour-uncut.co.uk/2010/11/15/liar-know-thyself/

In my words, his ‘defence’ of Phil Woolas can be summed up like this; Phil Woolas’ acts can be mitigated because people commit crime.

To which most right thinking people would say:

‘What!’

The short version of his piece is that Eric Joyce thinks people are hypocrites because they hold elected officials to a higher standard than themselves.

However, the public are right to hold elected officials to a higher standard because we place great trust in their judgement as our advocates.

Everyone in politics starts off with a clean sheet in the public’s mind; it is up to the person to ensure they don’t blot that sheet. Make a mistake, put your hand up and the public will be very forgiving in the most part.

Eric Joyce after he wrote his post attracted a lot of attention for what he said and by his own action subsequently I suspect he probably wishes he never wrote it.

As an MP in the House of Commons, he is involved in passing the laws that govern the UK.

So, I have to express surprise that Labour MP Eric Joyce stepped down as shadow Northern Ireland minister last night after he was banned from driving for a year.

Eric Joyce appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court handcuffed to a custody officer yesterday where he pled guilty to failing to provide a breath sample to Police.

He was arrested near Grangemouth oil refinery on Thursday and held in custody overnight for his court appearance.

He was fined £400 and banned from driving for a year.

Eric Joyce said:

“I am deeply ashamed of my actions which were unacceptable and inexcusable. I have been incredibly stupid and rightly suffered the penalty for it. I want to apologise unreservedly to those I have let down.”

Police were called when a security guard called them because he believed that Joyce was under the influence of alcohol while driving.

A Labour Party spokesman said:

“Following Eric Joyce’s guilty plea, Ed Miliband has accepted his resignation from the opposition front bench”.

Should further action be taken by the Labour Party?

I would say yes but not for party political reasons, Eric Joyce should have the whip withdrawn for a period of six months.

It is unacceptable that he was driving a car while having alcohol in his blood stream.

Drinking driving kills!

To some extent Eric Joyce is lucky that he didn’t kill someone while at the wheel as it is refusing to give a breath sample is unacceptable behaviour from a person involved in passing laws.

It makes him look like such a hypocrite which he patently despises when he wrote his piece on Labour Uncut.

He has been banned from driving for a year, fined £400 and resigns the Shadow Northern Ireland spokesman.

The Labour Party has to impose a sanction to send out a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated, six month withdrawal of the whip.

One thing which the public can expect is Eric Joyce’s taxi receipts to increase and he should show he truly is sorry by not claiming for travel within his constituency of Falkirk for the period of the driving ban.

He is paying a heavy price for stupidity but should continue as MP for Falkirk, if he is involved in drink driving again, he should expect to be sent to prison.

I don’t think Eric Joyce will be quibbling about his sentence in the same way he did about Phil Woolas, both caught and both guilty.

I would have expected better from him and hope this never happens again, he has made his mistake, don't make the same one a second time.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Jury hears ‘Weakness of the flesh’ in Tommy Sheridan Trial, witness says Sheridan spilled his guts in Uni Staff Canteen

Dear All

The hit trial of Tommy Sheridan heats up as ‘weakness of the flesh’ is now put to the jury for their consideration.

The ‘Weakness of the flesh’ in question is shagging.

Dr Nicholas McKerrell, a law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University takes the stand to enter into evidence that Tommy Sheridan told him that he had visited a sex club.

It is alleged that Sheridan coughed out this admission during a meeting in the staff canteen at his work, sometime in February 2005.

The two met down the university when Sheridan turned up with his sister and McKerrell alleges that only the two men went inside.

McKerrell said:

“When he started the conversation he was quite evasive, not looking me in the eye, looking into his cappuccino”.

Isn’t it amazing that someone from Pollok goes from coffee to cappuccino?

Sheridan is alleged to have started by saying that he wanted to speak about events, then he said: ‘I think you know about things’.

McKerrell added:

“He said: ‘I attended adult clubs in Manchester twice, in 1996 and in 2002.’”

The witness continued:

“And then he said: ‘You know what it’s like, weakness of the flesh.’”

What a remarkable word for word memory that Dr. Nick McKerrell has of this conversation of two people engaged in chit chat.

I wonder if he could be tested to demonstrate this ability.

And did he make any notes at the time and if so when and why?

McKerrell also claimed Sheridan went to the club with News of the World columnist Anvar Khan but opined that she would “never testify” about the experience.

Has he never heard of the old adage, ‘women talk’?

He also raised the book by Anvar Khan described as a Sex and the City-style diary of her private life. In the book Sheridan is alleged called Patrick.

Alex Prentice, advocate depute QC said:

“Did he say anything else?”

The witness replied:

“He was preparing legal action; there was no way that Anvar Khan would testify. He ranted quite considerably about Carolyn Leckie [a former MSP]. That was the only time that he lost any semblance of control.”

Is there anyone who remembers Sheridan losing control in the staff canteen?

Someone who backs up McKerrell’s version of events?

Mr Prentice continued:

“Did you have a view about the impact on the party?”

McKerrell replied:

“I said that it was very damaging, that he was embarking on a reckless course of action that would destroy the work that the SSP had done over the past seven years”

Prentice said:

“Did you tell him that?”

McKerrell replied:

“Yes.”

The Sheridan had his pitch at cross-examination of McKerrell which was a bad tempered exchange.

He asked McKerrell if he was a Marxist.

McKerrell said:

“That is a McCarthyite question … it’s a witchunting question to ask a socialist.”

Sheridan continued:

“Do you believe in God?”

The witness said he did not, to which Sheridan asked how he could swear on an oath in court if he did not believe in God.

Petty pointing scoring by Sheridan will not help his case.

Sheridan said:

“You have given evidence after swearing on a God that you don’t believe in.”

Sheridan continued:

“You have come here today not to tell the truth, you have come here to support the rump of your political party.”

McKerrell said:

“I find that a professional slur on me as a law lecturer who trains the future solicitors and advocates in this country. How could I look them in the eye if if was guilty of such a deceit?”

Sheridan said that was a matter for him to deal with.

I think McKerrell’s tack of using his position as a proof of his integrity won’t find much favour.

This piece of nonsense by McKerrell reminds me of the movie ‘IF’.

In one scene, a Prefect points at a crest on his jumper and says:

“I serve the nation”.

To which Malcolm McDowell replies:

“That bit of wool on your tit!”

My experience of Glasgow University senior management staff who was involved in bullying and criminal fraud leads me to doubt the notion that paid university employment is a hindrance to lying or crime.

You can read how countless Glasgow University senior management staff where involved in crime here including the current Principal Anton Muscatelli who covered up the fraud of others by refusing to act.

The trial continues.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

MSP Margo MacDonald hits out as committee rightly rejects Bill on assisted death, now the people of Scotland must kill her political career

Dear All

Margo Macdonald has seen the defeat of her assisted suicide bill as a Holyrood Committee looking into the matter found that her case wasn’t justified.

So the MSPs have stepped back from the brink of doing something truly monstrous and repugnant.

The next task is in the hands of the Scottish voters in Holyrood election.

Don’t vote Margo MacDonald back into Holyrood as an independent MSP.

After losing MacDonald said of those who rejected her assisted suicide Bill that they had ignoring the evidence.

Margo MacDonald suffers from Parkinson’s disease and she is looking for a legacy, the assisted suicide bill isn’t and shouldn’t be it.

If she wants to die then see can arrange to travel aboard to the Dignitas clinic is in Forch, near Zurich, Switzerland.

In rejecting this crap MSPs cited that this is the ‘slippery slope’, it also goes against the medical oath taken by Doctors to do no harm.

Have a read of this story which highlights the point.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/swiss-clinic-wants-to-offer-assisted-suicide-to-the-mentally-ill-416897.html

In my opinion Margo MacDonald has finished as a credible MSP and should resign with immediate effect.

The role of an MSP is to enhance the lives of the people they represent not get involved in actions such as this, her bill is a stain on the Holyrood Parliament.

The committee were quite damning in their language by saying it found no case to answer for changing the law to give terminally ill people over the age of 16 the right to die.

Gordon MacDonald, of Care Not Killing said:

“This report could not be more emphatic in its rejection of the End of Life Assistance Bill. It’s a real victory for the most vulnerable in our society. It’s hugely encouraging that the committee recognise that a key way of preserving dignity in the terminal stages of life lies in the quality of care available and the respect afforded to the dying.”

Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:

“I am pleased that the committee has made a recommendation not to progress this Bill.”

The people of Scotland have a duty now placed on their shoulders.

Kill Margo MacDonald’s political career.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Corrupt foreigner Anton Muscatelli of human rights abusing Glasgow University holds open Q & A session, 30 people turn up in 1,200 capacity hall

Dear All

Glasgow University is a corrupt institution but they like to give the misleading impression that they are honest and open.

To that end corrupt foreigner Anton Muscatelli, Principal of human rights abusing Glasgow University is holding open Q & A session for students.

You can read how rotten to the core Glasgow University is here.

At a recent event held in Bute Hall within the university which has a 1,200 seating capacity only 30 people turned up.

Yes, a whole 30 people wandered in probably to shelter from the cold to hear the witterings of a corrupt foreigner about the cuts to the university budget.

With a student population of circa 25,000, 30 people equals personal humiliation.

But is does send a clear message that few are interested in hearing his shite!

People have better things to do.

The next ‘meet the people’ event is supposed to be held after December.

Maybe if Muscatelli wants a better attendance he could organise free food and a double bill of porno films.

He could ask:

‘Anyone want to hear what I have to say’?

Then someone could reply:

‘run the porn and gie's a burger’.

That way the event could be a success but not during the week between 9 and 5!

It seems that the hype and myth of Glasgow University employing the ‘best’ people suffers another body blow.

My first year of blogging circa 10,000 people trotted in, year 2 sees 55,000 wander past for a read.

And I don’t advertise.

I suppose that Muscatelli probably thinks 30 people is a success story!

If he is interested in reaching out then perhaps he could return the money stolen from me by his senior management staff?

Sorry, I got carried away there; he is a Muscatelli, not a Musketeer!

No personal honour there which explains why he covered up criminal fraud and bullying by refusing to act.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Pamela Tucker takes the stand in Tommy Sheridan trial at High Court, she positively ID's him in front of the jury, Sheridan gets rid of her quickly

Dear All

One of the hallmarks of the Tommy Sheridan trial is it is like a rollercoaster, one minute Tommy Sheridan is doing well, the next he is getting his arse kicked into orbit by witnesses.

For the jury this case is a minefield, who do you believe Tommy Sheridan or the Crown’s witnesses?

And the Crown has plenty of witnesses but with the drawback that some of them have been paid by the NOTW.

But the most damage being inflicted on Tommy Sheridan is from witnesses who are independent of the political dogfight between the SSP and Sheridan’s Solidarity mob.

Pamela Tucker for example, she has told the High Court that she saw Tommy Sheridan at a swingers' club in Manchester.

And that she recognised Tommy Sheridan because of his involvement with fighting against the poll tax.

Pamela Tucker has told perjury trial at the High Court in Glasgow that Sheridan and a group of his friends went back to the flat she was staying in for a cup of tea.

And now to damage she is claiming Sheridan was with another man and two women, one of whom was called Anvar.

She said:

"I saw Mr Sheridan. He was picking some people up at the club. I asked him back for a cup of tea before he went back because he had a wife. Of course I knew who he was, because of what he did with the poll tax and stuff."

Ms Tucker also claims that she and Sheridan left to get pizzas.

Might you it would be ironic if Sheridan was sunk by a simple ham and mushroom pizza.

For his part Tommy Sheridan is denying her claims.

He said:

“I am going to suggest you are either confused, very confused, or you are lying, as I have never met you and have never been in Cupid's club. Do you understand?”

I fail to understand why Sheridan thinks that acting like a patronising bastard will play well with the jury. It won’t and might have quite the opposite effect.

To his credit however Sheridan didn’t pursue this witness too much and left it with she is confused, which is a tactic when you want a witness out of the witness box quickly.

One part of her evidence interests me; she said she had worked with Sheridan’s father in the "Corkerhill Project."

Sheridan then steered the conversation in the direction that his father had never lived in Corkerhill and had never worked in such a council project.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/the-m77-now-corkerhill-residents-are-to-claim-compensation-the-road-that-leads-to-court-1.669966

Back in 1995 while a Councillor Tommy Sheridan was arrested in a protest against the M77.

The protest wasn’t a ‘council project’.

I would suspect that the jury will have to give her evidence serious consideration.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University