Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Pollok Labour MSP Johann Lamont stays silent as ‘paedophile’ scandal further engulfs two senior Labour Councillors at Glasgow City Council
















Dear All

Yesterday saw the suspension of Glasgow Labour Councillor of shame William O’Rourke for his comments over an alleged case of rape involving a nine year old girl.

The ‘Curse of Gordon Matheson’ haunts the City Chambers as a viable force now!

But while all eyes are currently focused on O’Rouke, I pointed out that eyes should also be focussed on the other two senior Labour councillors of shame as well.

Jim Todd and Jim Scanlon who sat there at the same meeting and failed to act when they heard a colleague say a nine year old girl had wanted to be raped.

The Nolan Principles are supposed to be observed by politicians holding elected public office.

The Seven Nolan Principles are:

Selflessness

Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material 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 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 awards or 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 information 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.

Can anyone realistically say that Labour Councillors of shame Jim Todd and Jim Todd have upheld these principles?

Where was their integrity?

Baillies Jim Scanlan and Jim Todd attended the same meeting, so where’s their report about O’Rourke’s behaviour filed at the time?

Does it exist?

If not, why not?

Baillies Jim Scanlan and Jim Todd did attend the same meeting.

More disturbing is the fact that Baillie Todd is also a member of the council’s children and families policy development committee.

Should he be on that committee when he just sat there allowing O’Rouke to rant and not raising any objection about the content?

Todd and Scanlon both have voices.

But they were silent.Councillor William O’Rourke, who “represents” Pollok in Glasgow, was sacked from several council positions yesterday and suspended from the Labour Party.

It seems that duty to the Labour Party won out over duty to the people as far as Todd and Scanlon are concerned.

Now, do you realise why I call Glasgow, a Labour Council of shame?

Another notable silence on this issue is Pollok Labour MSP and Glasgow University product, Johann Lamont who was quick to condemn Tory MSP Bill Aitken.

On Aitken, she said:

"Bill Aitken's resignation is a public acknowledgement that his comments were unacceptable and he has done the right thing."

Labour Councillor of shame William O’Rourke had to be sacked!

Lamont added:

"This was a horrific crime and he should never have suggested that the victim was in some way to blame for what happened."

On the issue of the nine year old girl, people are still waiting for a statement and it doesn’t look to be forthcoming.

It seems that Labour's equalities spokeswoman can’t find it in her to condemn her close colleague and Councillor, William O’Rourke.

Todd silent!

Scanlon silent!

Lamont silent!

All Labour Party members!

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

1 comment:

  1. Being a supporter of the Hollie Greig case and Robert Green can I just say , I am NOT suprised

    Why does Dunblane have 100 year D notice on it?

    ReplyDelete