Dear All
One thing which Scottish Conservative Jackson Carlaw tweeted regarding the evidence in the Salmond Inquiry was:
"Either Nicola Sturgeon lied to parliament or her husband lied under oath. It’s that simple. They fundamentally contradicted each other. They don’t want the truth seeing the light of day before the May election. They want to delay & distract till then. They can’t be allowed to."
I think many would agree with his three points, especially when Carlaw says, Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell do not want the truth to see the light of day. And also they want to delay & distract the Committee before it can report before the Holyrood election. Sturgeon's Government has withheld evidence, Scottish Government have made statements to the Committee that have been false, and the Crown Office has serious questions to answer about its role in what is termed the "stitch up" of Alex Salmond at his criminal trial.
When SNP Chief Executive Officer Peter Murrell breezed into the Salmond Inquiry, you could see two things, his attempt to play the fool, and his posture which betrayed his lack of calm. Murrell, in my opinion wanted to portray himself as the 'bumbling dotty' husband of Nicola Sturgeon, who crafted his media image by being shown to set up chairs at SNP Conferences. But it seems his persona is accepted by many who see him as a rat, who is married to a rat. One thing, I never fell for even in the SNP was that SNP CEO Peter Murrell was a 'jolly nice guy', unlike most I have seen the people who immediately surround Sturgeon, and I have wrote about them in the past. People like Natalie McGarry, Mhairi Hunter, Derek Mackay, Jonathan Mackie and a whole list of others who fill a sheet as long as your arm. All of these people could be described as poisonous bastards who have no place in Scottish politics. There is a saying that like attracts like, and as I have written repeated, Nicola Sturgeon is a horrible nasty vicious character, so you surprised her 'posse' mirrors her?
After appear before the Salmond Inquiry, questions were raised by the Committee regarding the evidence from Sturgeon's husband. In fact the quality was said to be so suspect that the issue was raised whether, Peter Murrell has perjured himself. When the Labour Party raised the issue publicly and asked if the Crown Office should investigate him, it seems Murrell didn't want to come back. In fact, he missed two dates to appear and sought legal advice. One thing about the truth is that it remains the truth, but people are now questioning whether Murrell told the truth. So, after refusing to be invited back, it seems the Holyrood inquiry into the Alex Salmond affair have agreed to use compulsion powers. Given that he has already refused two dates to appear, the Committee should invoke their powers. Maybe a cheeky wee police van to turn up at his house in the East End of Glasgow would be the way to go, rather than let him walk into the proceedings under his own steam. That would make a great story, especially if he was searched, taken into custody by police and then the convoy was filmed all along the M8 to Edinburgh. It would have to be filmed by a helicopter because it would be great cinema. And of course, no access to anyone before he appeared before the committee. Who knows maybe, it would then be great to see Murrell invoke his 'Cadder rights' to a lawyer.
"I want a lawyer", coming out the back of a police van would be highly amusing!
Murrell's return will of course not be a meeting of the minds, being forced to appear will probably wipe the smirk off his face. Murrell needs to be grilled over every answer he previous gave, and every other question which falls from that. He needs to be grilled over WhatsApp messages about Mr Salmond which he has previously said under oath do not exist. He needs to be grilled over the 'Vietnam' group of SNP Staffers and SNP senior politicians. He needs to be asked if he conducted an investigation into this group as SNP CEO. If he didn't conduct an investigation to the membership of that group, the question would be, why not? Who were the members of the 'Vietnam' Group who wanted to pressure a 'witness' into giving evidence at a criminal trial? Whose orders where they acting under? Was Peter Murrell informed about the attempt to put pressure on a 'witness'? What are the job titles of the 'Vietnam' group? Where any of the 'Vietnam' Group also members of 'Alphabet' group of Salmond accusers in his criminal trial?
One thing which is constantly talked about in the public domain is conspiracy, the conspiracy to jail Alex Salmond, when the illegal Scottish Government stitch up collapsed against him. Who is the person who stands to gain the most by removing Alex Salmond's ability to return to frontline Scottish politics? I can only think of one person who stands to gain the most from that happening.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.
As much as Sturgeon's allies try to muddy the waters with pro UK conspiracy, and talk of MI5, and untold unionists in cupboards seeking to destroy Nationalism, the truth is, pro UK people aren't involved in this fight. This fight is between Team Salmond and Team Sturgeon, pro UK supporters like myself sit on the margins and comment. What are we commenting on, we comment on the abuse of power, the denial of rights, and the injustice of how the SNP treated the individual. Salmond's case is a lightening rod, in much the same way as the 'Cadder' case, denial of rights of the individual for the express benefit of the State.
You can simply round this down and call that corruption!
With the threat of getting 'lifted' by the Police, it seems, Sturgeon's husband has agreed to return to the committee on Monday, February 8. Given his refusal, I would be minded to invoke the compulsion powers now. I would hate that on Monday, February 8, he was suddenly taken ill which is why the Committee should arrange Police pick up using the powers they have. One of the things which the Committee made a mistake in, was not to make the ultimatum explicit to Murrell in writing. This isn't an invitation to a social event or gentleman's club, and he is under scrutiny. Murrell will probably appear due to one factor, the political damage it would cause Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP for him to be seen being dragged to testify. So, Murrell goes up on February 8, will be play the 'bumbling fool'? Salmond is scheduled to give evidence on February 9, Ms Sturgeon on February 16, but despite all of this, don't build your hopes up that this is the end of Sturgeon. If anything, the Salmond Inquiry is just Act One of this play, Act Two is the Hamilton Inquiry, which should be more interesting, if Act Two goes the way it should, the Act Three is the resignation of SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.
If both these Inquiries fail to deliver, then it will be all out political warfare in the SNP. In fact despite the fact that Salmond has held on in the hope of a return, I would say logically, he has to look to other options. That would be public support for ISP, or SNP V2, to try and gain as many list seats so the SNP are denied a majority. If Sturgeon cannot get a majority in May, and everything she does is voted down, then the pressure on her to resign grows. Every piece of SNP legislation voted down would give Salmond the result that he needs. ISP is just a vehicle to 'game the system', so why shouldn't Salmond use them to 'game the government'? Clock is ticking, and although Salmond isn't declared as standing, he could do Sturgeon more damage on the campaign trial that she would ever have thought possible. Salmond could run the ISP on an anti corruption ticket.
Finally, it seems like Cinderella that Peter Murrell will be going to the Ball, just like his fellow ugly sister Nicola Sturgeon!
Yours sincerely
George Laird The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Make the May election a choice of the Rule of Law or the rule of Murrell
ReplyDeleteDear Secretary of State,
ReplyDeleteIn Scotland, we do not have the equivalents of Laura Kuenssberg and Robert Peston to hold Holyrood to account and so, a week ago, I took the opportunity to publish all recent letters on the internet so that they are available to anyone who has an interest in the safety of this school. Members of the public can now ask: 'When did you know about this and what did you do to investigate?'
This is not something that I ever intended to do, but the passage of time means that the usual avenues of Scottish Government and legal intervention have had to be discarded. Life moves-on and, after more than 6-years of waiting, I'm sure you will understand that less conventional routes have had to be followed.
The information which is attached to the website at the moment is being followed-up in due course by engineering opinion and legal opinion by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Most of this information has been sent to you already, several months ago, but not all of it.
The website which has published this information was set-up several years ago to address the problem that law in this country is currently being used to protect a privileged few and has therefore become the antithesis of its centuries-old public protection role. The frustration endured by George Laird is obvious and is, I'm afraid, a product of the current state of Holyrood and our legal profession and that view is shared by many of us at the moment.
The fact that Professor Robert Rennie adjudicated on George Laird's case and also adjudicated on my case is, I'm sure, neither here nor there. If, however, there are other individuals associated with other schools who are being treated in the way that I have been treated by the Scottish Government and their legal partners, then that suggests to me that we have a malign problem at Holyrood which should be identified and addressed; presumably, that's the Lord Advocate's role. We cannot just let this go-on year after year until it gets to this stage.
As I have stated already, my involvement in this school is at an end. I have been unemployed for the past two years and have only been employed sporadically over the course of the past 6-years. The reason for this is because the Scottish Government and the Hub Consortium have failed to do their job honesty and I have had to do it for them. Had I not done that, then the entire value of the school would have been lost and accountability for that loss would never have been established. Hence, the responsibility for resolving my situation lies, as I see it, with the Scottish Government.
I understand that the school is due to re-open in a few weeks time and so there is no time left for further discussion. I think it has all been said and that we only await a resolution now and, as provided in the Education Scotland Act 1980, I see it as your role to guide all at Holyrood over the coming days and I hope you agree with that.
We are witnessing the break-down of government in Scotland. We employ something like 50,000 civil servants in Scotland and have two governments and yet the country is probably one of the worst governed and most corrupt counties in the world, certainly in the western world.
ReplyDeleteI would shut Holyrood and put a rocket up Westminster and Victoria Quay's arse. This is nothing like good enough. We pay you..,..get off your arses and get this sorted-out.
Like you, I don't think there is any involvement here from MI5 or MI6 or 'Deep-State' or anything else. Like Holyrood, Westminster hardly knows what day of the week it is at the moment.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, Peter Murrell is due to appear on Monday but there is still some doubt as to whether Alex Salmond will appear on Tuesday because his submission has been deemed, presumably by James Wolffe, to be somehow beyond the remit of the Inquiry.
I read Alex Salmond's submission on Wings over Scotland and The Spectator and so it's not secret. Why has it suddenly become secret?
There's something wrong in Scotland when Wings over Scotland and The Spectator are the principal media outlets holding our government to account.
Does Holyrood do anything for us here in Scotland? Am I not right in saying that life in Scotland was a hell of a lot better 20-years ago, before Holyrood, than it is now?
ReplyDeleteCan we not just close it down? Would that not be simpler? Why do we have to be fed all of this shite by folk who are no more than jumped-up councillors?
Scotland used to be full of smart folk. It is now full of crooks. Is the Lord Advocate a crook? You'd better ask the Duff and Phelps Directors, Alex Salmond, Mark Hirst, Craig Murray.....that idiot is running at the rate of one malicious prosecution every 8-10 weeks at the moment.
Anyone else noticing this?
Do we not have an obvious problem with credibility/honesty at the moment? Are we not obviously being lied to by our elected representatives?
ReplyDeleteWherever you are in the world, this doesn't last for long.
I understand that corrupt, semi-authoritarian regimes throughout the world call-in the Metropolitan Police to carry-out an investigation when they want to demonstrate honesty and accountability to the rest of the world.
The Metropolitan Police are not perfect, of course, but I would guess that they are better than anything we can call upon.
We must be getting close to that now? A real emergency situation where the honesty of our government is in doubt?
You're getting ahead of yourself again, George. Why was a political opponent of Nicola Sturgeon framed and why are the so-called 'alphabet women' still being treated as victims? Am I right in saying that the woman who accused AS of rape was proven not even to have been in attandance at the function at Bute House which was the scene of the alleged crime?
ReplyDeleteThis is the bigger crime here, no-one actually cares whether she misled the Parliament or not.
This is political intrigue which belongs in Uganda or Chad.
What happened to the 8Billion sent to Holyrood by Westminster? No-one's seen it.....do Westminster just send us money nowadays without following-up what it is used for?
We were the country of the Enlightenment....what do you think Robert Burns would have made of Peter Murrell? What would he have made of James Wolffe?
ReplyDeleteWhat are we now.....the country of the 'Mallicious Prosecution Service'.
Humza Yousaf's Police Scotland Flying Squad aren't called 'The Sweeney', there called 'The Swinney'.
ReplyDeleteFresh from their harassment of Alex Salmond, Mark Hirst, Craig Moore and all the rest of them I reckon they could come after you, George.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't checking the phone book right now for 'George Laird'.
If they can fit-up all these other folk, then they will have no trouble in fitting you up. I think 'sedition' would be the most appropriate charge. But, give me time to think about it.
Lock your doors at night and buy a couple of Doberman-Pincers to guard the joint.
Having campaigned for Sturgeon and been a supporter of Independence, am I reading latest blog correctly that you're now pro-UK?
ReplyDeleteIf true,difficult to understand the conversion
Dear Unknown
ReplyDeleteThe SNP is an independence party, its packed with scum, and rotten and corrupt. Oh please don't use the old broken down crap that after indy the SNP disbands, or that the SNP will be kicked out anytime soon. They are rigging the Holyrood election, even in the devolved settlement using covid.
Why would anyone want these clowns to have total control of our country?
Independence is a nationalist lie, so why wouldn't I realise now that the best for Scotland is to remain in the UK. And help where I can to make that work better for all Scots. The SNP have sunk this country.
George
George
The SNP is a party full of a good number of neds and that was always the case. Folk on the make and others on the take. The same as the Labour Party used to be. We cannot govern ourselves in a million years and that much is obvious.
ReplyDeleteI just read half an hour ago that Linda Fabiani said it was impracticle to organise a meeting of the Fabiani Committee to discuss the upcoming appearances of Murrell and Salmond. In the days of zoom calls - what the hell is she talking about.
I think the Fabiani Committee has been got-at; same as all the rest of our public bodies.
They tell me Kate Forbes has ring-fenced Rishi Sunak's 8Billion and has plans for 20 new Gaelic schools. Expensive, these Gaelic schools.
ReplyDeleteRemember the Westminster expenses scandal? A police-led investigation followed, MP's were charged and several spent time in jail.
ReplyDeleteWatergate was less of a scandal that this - much less. I think 20-30 US Gov officials went to jail for that.
The silence from all in Scotland is at the moment is deafening.
We're a worse fiscal basket case than Greece. Greece has needed 3 bail-outs from the EU over the years and so there is little chance of them admitting Scotland. Also, I believe the EU are trying to buy Covid vaccines now from Russia, they are now in such a bloody mess.
ReplyDeleteThey don't want us and we don't want them. Does anyone want the SNP? Is it not time for them to take their gangsterism politics and depart Scotland. They may love Scotland (or say they do) but Scotland is learning to do without the SNP. Let's hope it's not too late.
''Joanna Cherry, an SNP MP close to Mr Salmond sacked as a frontbencher this week for disloyalty to Ms Sturgeon, said on Friday that her party had displayed “Stalinist revisionism” by refusing to acknowledge her dismissal.
ReplyDeleteIn what is believed to be a reference to mentions of Mr Salmond being deleted from the SNP website, she added: "Airbrushed from history. A non-person. Sounds familiar?”
21st Century Scotland?...........or 21st Century North Korea.
I see over on Wings over Scotland they are all complaining about James Dornan MSP. He's another SNP MSP with a chequered past. He enjoys the persona of the intimidating gangster and uses it every now and again. Today, he's trying to intimidate Alex Salmond. Best of luck with that, James. Mind tell us all how you get-on.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBrian Wilson
@BrianWilson1967
·
5h
"The whole circus must now be in imminent danger of collapse, which, on balance, might be more honourable than dignifying a high-level fix and the ludicrous denial of a key witness’s right to be heard"
'This whole affair is getting out of hand now and requires an independent review by an external body. It's time the oposition MSP's liaised with the party MPs and the subject is raised in Westminster who could easy appoint an independent examining body'.....George Galloway.
ReplyDeleteAn attempt to set-up Alex on fake sex charges. Looks like they picked on the wrong one.
ReplyDeleteNigel Farage is openely saying that there won't be any Holyrood election in May. That would be fabulous news and would be welcomed by most Scots.
ReplyDeleteClose it down like they did to Stormont. Corruption goes far deeper at Holyrood than it ever did at Stormont and once it closes, it may never re-open.
When Michael Forsyth was Secretary of State for Scotland, his wife was a school teacher. He carried-out a few changes to the curriculum year to year in consultation with the EIS. That's when politicians were politicians and unions were unions.
ReplyDeleteNow we have John Swinney in charge he just does whetever the feck he likes and the EIS do nothing. Education Scotland has been invented (I think they are some type of SNP quango) and they re-invent Scottish history to accord with SNP doctrine.
The ever decreasing IQ of Scots is therefore a road we must all follow as it has been decreed by our governmenmt. Scots teachers get paid 50p/hour more than English teachers and that buys the silence of the EIS.
Our government and our unions are happy. That's all that matters.
If it wasn't for Holyrood, another 500,000 of us would have had our Covid vaccine. Is it as simple as that?......surely not?
ReplyDeleteHolyrood doesn't work any longer. It represents the worldwide gold standard in intimidation, corruption and doing feck-all.
ReplyDeleteClose it down and put our legal profession under spacial measures.
I remember 20-years ago, FM's used to resign for expenses scandals and stuff like that. Now, under Sturgeon, we have become the corruption capital of the western world.
Why was Alex Salmond framed so that he faced future bankruptcy and years behind bars? Who are these alphabet woman and is it true they are all close associates of Sturgeon? Who gave the story to the Daily Record? Why was information illegally withheld from Alex Salmond's criminal trial to his detriment? Why did the trial go-ahead anyway? Will this be another Mallicious Prosecution? How many are we all allowed in one year before we begin to look like a corrupt wee country on the margins of Europe?
ReplyDeleteFrom David Whitehouse, ex Duff and Phelps Director, subjected to a Mallicious Prosecution by James Wolffe QC, our Lord Advocate:
ReplyDelete“I am in a position where I had the means to afford litigation to bring these people to account and it begs the question of how often this kind thing happens and people can’t afford court action. It shouldn’t just be for the wealthy to achieve justice.”
We have seen the current LA bring further malicious prosecutions against Salmond, Hirst and Murray, of which the latter two could perhaps not have been able to mount a competent defence without crowdfunding. How many ordinary people have been railroaded by COPFS and the Police who lacked the means to defend themselves? There is an urgent need for a Royal Commission to inquire into administration of justice in Scotland and to recommend reforms.
Why a Royal Commission? My understanding is that in the UK a Minister can stop an Inquiry by a simple order, whereas once launched a Royal Commission can not. The RC should be an eminent retired judge from outside Scotland (and preferably the UK) and supported by investigators from another police force. Its Terms of Reference should include the Rangers, Salmond, Hirst and Murray cases and a selection of other cases from the previous 10 years put forward by the legal profession.
Can anyone put forward a case why we should all let this continue in Scotland?
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/news-special-insolvency-expert-david-whitehouse-vows-to-put-crown-office-in-the-dock-for-baseless-prosecution-over-rangers-takeover/
ReplyDeleteIs this the state of law and policing in Scotland?......surely not?
Can you explain something to me, George? It appears to be the case, in Scotland anyway, that if you have a spare £1.5m and 5 or 6 years of your life to give-up, then you can take the Scottish Crown Office to court for 'Mallicious Prosecution' and you can win. It's quite easy really. They're vicious bastards, told what to do by Swinney and Sturgeon.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have a spare £1.5m, or 5 or 6 years of your life to spare, then you lose. Even Alex Salmond will lose and he knows that. What chance do any of the rest of us have then?
That doesn't seem fair. Does that seem fair to you? Is this what they teach at Glasgow University Law School?......surely not?
This is from the excellent 'Willie' from WoS:
ReplyDeleteWhat a grim laugh when a First Minister can lie to both Parliament and to the highest court in the land..
The judicial system in Scotland is a joke. All these begowned judges with wigs reduced to pantomime puppets sitting on a bench getting fed peanuts. The mighty Scots Law – joke judicial system masquerading as a functioning legal system.
Two fingers to you My Lord Monkey. Oh that’s all right Counsel we’re all in for the pantomime. I’m the pantomime judge, you’re the pantomime prosecutor, let’s all play Jackinory.
And so the grim pantomime proceeds. This isn’t justice, this isn’t a legal system, this is just a joke. Recognise that and realise then that our legal system isn’t even worth spitting on.
One complaint I would make.....Judges don't get fed peanuts.....do they?......surely not?
Alex Salmond may give a press conference on Tuesday rather than attend the Fabiani Inquiry.
ReplyDeleteAlphabet Woman H has perjured herself in Court by saying that Salmond attempteed to rape her after a Bute House Function that the Court heard she didn't even attend. Believe it or not, it was the kitchen records that named all those in attandance and proved that she wasn't there. Many are now of the opinion that she should be named. If she is named in this country, the Scottish Government will send a team of lawyers and Police after the party that named her. He/she could spend 6-days inside a concrete cell in Govan Police Station at the mercy of James Wolffe (that's the way it works). If she is named overseas, then that cannot happen. Given the increasing press interest in this case, I think it could happen this week.
Will James Hamilton want to side with Sturgeon after this week? What are the chances? If he doesn't side with her and says that she mislead parliament, then she ceases to be FM instantly.
Congratulations George - in two days, your websites have achieved more for me than 5-years using lawyers and Holyrood parliamentarians.
ReplyDeleteAttention is falling on the right people. Number-one works at Education Scotland now, having been promoted for his bullying and dishonesty. Number-two works at the Scottish Government's favorite Gordon Street law firm. (by the way, there are three law firms in Gordon Street and I'm sure the other two are all-right)
It is indeed reassuring to know that, at last, a light has been shone on these dishonest arsholes.
'When racial hatred has such an ugly, yet apparently plausible front as the SNP, we all have a duty to call it out. Quite why the home of the Enlightenment, of all places, has fallen into such a dark hole remains a mystery.
ReplyDeleteScotland needs to wake up to reality. It has surely seen how the EU treated Ireland recently, cast aside within days of their usefulness ending. Ireland's future looks considerably bleaker once Brussels enforces equality of corporate taxation on the bloc.
One by one, Sturgeon's claims of riches fall away. Oil, financial services, EU nirvana, copying Ireland. The pressure for a hard border from an English people who are tired of being treated with contempt by the recipients of their largesse would be overwhelming'.
https://gordondangerfield.com/
ReplyDeleteGordon Dangerfield is an honest lawyer and he doesn't work in Gordon Street. It's worth reading his opinion above. He refers to the civil-service ethical code which isn't just some vague concept, it actually exists and is a throw-back to the days when Scotland had an honest civil-service and not some tool of the Junta as it exists today.
I have met four senior Scottish civil-servants over the years. 'Tools of the junta' would be a very apt description for all of them. There is a problem in that for all of us though as they are supposed to be there to represent us, not Sturgeon and Swinney.
I think Gordon Dangerfield would be shocked at the conduct of his colleagues in Gordon Street. He speaks about the civil-service code as if that's the only set of rules which are being broken just now. I think lawyers have an ethical code too, including those in Gordon Street. You don't spend £300/hour to converse with a crook, do you.