The sun has form on taping events/people.Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
Why did you suggest 🍒?
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The sun has form on taping events/people.Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
Why did you suggest 🍒?
I suggested Cherry because of the falling she has had with the party.Quote:
Originally Posted by ronaldo7
Are you suggesting the Sun illegally bugged the House of Commons, probably the most secure building in the UK? Really? How would they have managed that?
Hopefully we, the public, actually get to hear the tape and the context this support is said.
Journalists never walk the corridors of power. 😆Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
They're regularly seen sat outside meeting rooms. It's not beyond the wit of man to see how it could be done, but, you seem to have it that it's an SNP mole.
Crack on. 👍
It's online in most press websites.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
Has there every been an incident of a journalist secretly recording a meeting within the House of Commons? I genuinely can't think of that ever happening before.Quote:
Originally Posted by ronaldo7
Thanks, I have only seen links to the Mail which I don’t readQuote:
Originally Posted by Santa Cruz
Why would they admit to that 😆 they also wouldn't admit to tapping dead children's phones unless caughtQuote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
To be honest, I can't even think of any meetings being taped at all from Westminster and released to the public.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
Maybe I'm missing am obvious incident but I genuinely can't remember hearing a taped conversation from a secured meeting in Westminster.
None of us on here know who's done the deed. Im just pointing out that it could be one of many people.Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
It wasn't Joanna cherry though, unless she had an ear to the back door, as the other one was covered by Chris Musson. 😆
I just think if it was as easy as you are suggesting for a journalist to do something like that it would have happened previously. Some of the conversations would be like gold dust to a journalist, in the grand scheme of things this would actually be pretty insignificant.Quote:
Originally Posted by ronaldo7
The likelihood is that it was done by someone in the SNP who probably feels the victim hasn't been properly supported and sidelined like they are claiming.
It would appear that the SNP aren't convinced that the complainant should be taken especially seriously when you bear in mind how quickly they effectively ended the political careers of Mackay and McDonald. For Blackford to have called them into a meeting at which the MP they'd made the complaint against was present to make an apology seems odd in the light of the fact that during the Salmond fiasco Salmond askd for a similar meeting with complainants but saw that request (rightly IMHO) declined.
Said it earlier but Sturgeon's statement here also struck me as curious as it contained no direct apology to the complainant.
Finding who made the recording is irrelevant to me at this time, the pathetic punishment handed out to Grady for making sexual advances to a teenager 17 years his junior, we know little about the victim but had I been a 19 year hit on by a man 17 years my senior I am sure it would have ended up with him having a sore face.
Is this the zero tolerance that Blackford spoke about.
I'm sure I read the incident took place in 2016? It seems strange it's only coming to light now.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
How would we know if it happened or not it's illegal they are hardly going to say. As I said we only know about the wire taps on phones because there house of cards fell down. Mps aren't meant to record things but I'm sure they do on there phone. They could also just phone a journalist during a meeting. They wouldn't literally physically put in a bugQuote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
My understanding is that the actual tapes are in the media, as far as I'm aware that has never happened before.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
You don't think in all the years of journalists being in the HOC that a tape would be leaked? It's never happened previously. If journalists were regularly, or had the ability to, tape a conversation you can absolutely guarantee it would have been made public previously.
So you think this is a genuine first and it happens to be the snpQuote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
No, I think the likelihood of it being a journalist is slim.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
To me, it points to a SNP MP not being happy with how the victim has been treated and has recorded it and leaked it for that reason. We will likely never know, but it seems the most plausible explanation IMO.
I'd agree that's what usually happensQuote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
The complainant also alleged inappropriate behaviour towards him from a female SNP MP in 2020 according to this piece in the Record. Don't know what follow-up there's been on that:Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/ian-blackford-called-quit-over-27272894
Hope she didn’t touch his back as well? The trauma for the poor guy.[emoji51]Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Is that what Grady done? Touch his back?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
Yes. The substance of the claim is that Grady sat beside him and put his hand on his back and neck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've just read the article. He touched and stroked his back, neck and hair. So not quite just "touching his back". I know you're a SNP supporter but it would be good if we could actually stick to the facts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
If you have kids, would you be happy for a 43 year old man to be stroking their neck and back when they are still a teenager? I certainly wouldn't it and I'd expect their complaint to be taking extremely seriously.
To simply laugh it off with a smiley face and sarcastically use the word trauma is ridiculous and I suspect if it were a Tory your response would be completely different.
The 19 year old rejected his advance and it went no further. That would normally be the end of the matter in just about every other walk of life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Whether it went further or not is irrelevant. It's creepy behaviour for a man of that age to be doing that to a 19 year old and it's not the standard of behaviour I'd expect from our elected policitians.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
You have no idea how it impacted the victim but are happy to literally laugh it off with smiley faces.
43 year olds def shouldn’t be making passes at 19 year olds in my opinion but let’s not kid on it doesn’t happen. And it’s legal. The only consideration when it came to his suspension was that they worked together and that was seen as inappropriate. And that’s why he was suspended for two days. To have a suspension on your record from work is not nothing. The independent committee who decided this seem to have got it just about right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
Do you feel like it should be a sacking offence?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Would it? Maybe in times gone by but 'get over it' or 'man up' doesn't really cut it in today's society - and rightly so. While great care must be taken to ensure lives and careers aren't scunnered by unfounded allegations, any allegation of sexual misconduct must be taken seriously. For some teenagers such incidents may not leave a lasting impression but for others it can be a disturbing and confusing situation to deal with. We don't know what sort of person this complainant is but it can take courage to come forward and make complaints of this nature, especially when the allegations concern a person of relatively high standing. Look at how many years Salmond's sleazeball behaviour was allowed to pass unchallenged - and even when he was finally pulled up on it the complainants were badly let down by the Scottish government's substandard complaints procedure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
As I said, I'm surprised by the SNP's reaction to this situation where sympathy seems to lie more with the accused MP than the complainant and I wonder if there's more to the story than the media is party to. Mind you, in Blackford's case his heartless behaviour towards the late Charles Kennedy indicates that empathy may not be his strong suit.
I think when the SNP come out and say they have a zero tolerance policy then it should literally mean that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
Whether it's legal or not is irrelevant. There are lots of things which are technically legal that our elected policitians shouldn't be doing. They are held to a higher standard than your local postman or plumber, that comes with the territory of having the privilege of representing their constituents. They represent the people of this country, stroking a teenagers hair, neck and back is not some m minor incident.
IMO in the current climate it would be best for everyone if he stood down.
I think there is no point speculating if there was more to it. The complaint was made, Grady admitted it and it was put to independent advisors to decide the outcome. It’s been accepted by the SNP. Grady’s career on the front bench is over now. I’d be surprised if he stands again.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He's a creepy ******* and lucky to have a job. Bigger than the age difference is the position of power in the workplace. metoo isn't just for females.
Hunt launched for the source of the leak:Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snp-threatens-mps-over-westminster-leak-nb7tdrwhj
How many people would have been in this group meeting? Would it be terribly hard to narrow down the suspects?
I'd guess most of the SNP MPs? That's a good number.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
More concerned about the leak and protecting the sex pest than applying the zero tolerance that they preach
Have seen something very similar in a 'normal' workplace a few months ago where it was a comparable outcome I'd be interested to see what happens... normally once the independent committee has made their ruling, that's it... however in politics the person needs to get reelected by the constituency to stand again... I'd be really disappointed if that happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
I would think that there would be legal ramifications for the SNP if they had done anything other than what the independent committee advised.Quote:
Originally Posted by Just Alf
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The independent committee was a House of Commons procedure, the SNP can dish out their own punishment. The fact they chose to be very lenient is their own choice. As multiple other posters have said it's the hypocrisy of Ian Blackford, he is on record as saying there would be zero tolerance of sexual impropriety, yet he was recorded saying people had to get behind Grady and offer him support.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
What's your definition of zero tolerance?
In this case to try and steer the local members to not reselect him... mind you, often parties get grief for encouraging 'place men'.. hopefully that wouldn't be the case this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
What a bizarre series of events as now the SNP Chief Whip says there will be no tolerance of leakers and threatens his own MPs with legal and potentially criminal action.Quote:
Originally Posted by Just Alf
No tolerance of leaking but those accused of sexual misconduct get the full support of the party.
Not a great few days for the SNP London group and more to come as Patrica Gibson is up next for sexual misconduct.
It does appear to be a strange course of action they are taking.Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
Not sure what I've quoted above ties into my post....Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
Surely you must agree that they should get rid of him by the quickest legal process? .... and like me would be disappointed and angry if they didn't...
A 2 day suspension and shouts of "hear hear" in support for him are not the actions of a party that wants to get rid of him. As ex Chief Whip he will know everyone's secrets!Quote:
Originally Posted by Just Alf
At the very least Grady and Blackford should resign ….but they won’t as they are enjoying the gravy trainQuote:
Originally Posted by James310
The conduct of Grady would be taken really seriously in any job where the person is in a position of trust and may well be gross misconduct.
It's not acceptable behaviour at any time in the workplace and with the gross imbalance of power - a teenager who will be petrified to rock the boat as their career could be jeopardised and these MPs are in close circles with the FM of Scotland...I can't see how anyone can't see how poor this is and how this very young person might be feeling.
Seen a lot of folk dismissing this because of loyalty to a cause or party. Think this is something we have seen somewhere else not that long ago.
Quite remarkable that the focus seems to be weeding out the leak rather than supporting the young person or doing the right thing.
Whether it's protecting the Crown, a party or a cause...this should not be happening. Very depressing
The subsequent complaint against North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson has been upheld according to this update:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
Ian Blackford ‘should go’ as SNP Westminster leader for backing shamed MP | Scotland | The Sunday Times (thetimes.co.uk)
I sense this issue has the potential to become more awkward for the SNP than they initially assumed. Probably all a dastardly plot to undermine them in the wake of last week's latest independence proclamations mind you :wink:
Tend to agree, I think there's going to be more scrutiny and pressure coming.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
On that last paragraph, it wouldn't surprise me if that actually was the case!
On the Tory thread some were speculating that revelations coming out re Johnson seemed to getting nicely drip fed :agree:
https://twitter.com/AmyCallaghanSNP/...0BLbiGC_g&s=19
At least some in the party seem to be taking it more seriously than some on here.
Fair play to her for this statement.
Although like all of these kind of statements there is a little bit of sorry I got caught. If the tape hadn't been leaked by her colleague then she would have made no statement.
What were snp thinking not going hard on this, its 2022.
joannaccherry
🧵I wasn’t at the SNP Westminster group meeting last week. I don’t condone the covert recording or leak. However, for some time the SNP has had significant problems in how it handles complaints
My party needs to reflect on the contrast between the treatment of different “offenders” and to review our arrangements for the pastoral care of complainers
SNP should have suspended Grady instead now this will rumble on. It was utterly ridiculous to throw your weight of support behind a guy who's just admitted to sexual misconduct.
As a member, I find the SNP's "we need to move on" approach very disappointing.
I now have this thought going through my head of the SNP Committee leaving their discussion with Grady and singing a variation of the 1980s "Arthur Daley" song...
:singing:
"Oh Patrick Grady,
a little dodgy maybe,
but underneath... he's alright
...
he's alright is Patrick,
so he strokes a few teenager's necks, it's not a crime is it?
well... yeah... technically it is"
Yes, as you say at least she's come out and admitted it wasn't a good look. The silence from more senior party figures continues.Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
A stroked neck? It's all a bit puritanical.
Would you feel the same if it was a teenage female. Regardless if you do I'm sorry to say your stuck in a different decade.Quote:
Originally Posted by 500miles
"At that point, he started putting his fingers down the back of my collar, touching me inappropriately there. He was also grabbing my hair."
It's been a joke from the start. After he made the complaint Ian Blackford invited him to a meeting and grady was sitting in the room crying and apologising when he walked in. What the f is that. Walk in and see the person your accusing of abuse sitting there. The only person they appear to want strong action against is the leaker
He must be a dashed attractive fellow - men and women touching him up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
Enjoy it mate. It doesn't last forever!
Another post downplaying sexual inappropriate behaviour 👏. This place recently has been like the BBC in the 70sQuote:
Originally Posted by heretoday
:agree:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
The unwanted attention/advances would be bad enough but when you add in the power dynamic of boss/worker, pretty disgusting.
Yeah but yeah but …he is a good guy he is Ess Enn Peeeee Freedumb �� :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
You couldn’t make this up. It is apparently not in the public interest for the public to be told the outcome of any misconduct complaint made against previous and current SNP or Green ministers, the SNP/Green Government has said. Wow!
The SNP are acting disgracefully here. I'm sure all but their most blinded of followers will see that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
You'll be disappointed.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Why is it another sweep sweep job…move on nothing to see here…Quote:
Originally Posted by ronaldo7
I believe the enquiry has cleared her of the accusation. You got a problem with that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
Yep commission had found her guilty but she appealed and a commons panel has overturned. Should be confirmed ThursdayQuote:
Originally Posted by ronaldo7
It is understood a House of Commons expert panel has rejected allegations of wrongdoing against Mrs Gibson - and overturned a ruling by the Standards Commissioner.
The North Ayrshire and Arran MP appealed against the initial findings of the commissioner which upheld a complaint of harassment.
She consistently denied the claims insisting they were “malicious allegations” without any foundation.
Last night the victim said: “I would like to talk about this however, I have been forced to sign an NDA.”
I don't know the whole story because I've only been following it on here. But I think there definitely needs to be a discussion about what is sexually inappropriate or what is appropriate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
Is it inappropriate for an older person to have a relationship with a much younger person who is considered to be of legal age?
Does it make a difference if the older person is a man or a woman?
Does it make a difference if it is a heterosexual or homosexual relationship?
Should Dr's not be allowed make advances towards nurses due to them having power over them at work? Same question regarding pilots and cabin crew, the boss and his secretary and the panzer commander and the milkmaid? How many people have met their partners at work?
How do you make someone aware that you are drawn to them? Is there a set of guidelines at how you go about making them aware?
Before you actually touch someone, how many bases do you have to reach before that is appropriate? I'm a little out of practice at the dating game but I'm guessing a lot of it is still about sending signals and interpreting signals correctly, that in itself is a minefield. You smile, someone smiles back, you tell someone you like them they also answer in the affirmative, but normally before you then jump in the sack together there are other bases to be reached like holding hands, kissing and maybe some awkward fumbling.
The whole topic is probably worth a thread of its own.
Not if she has been cleared with actual evidence…only problem I have is she was initially found guilty what new evidence was provided and why has the victim got a gagging orderQuote:
Originally Posted by ronaldo7
And your examples should really be in a different thread as unrelated to the case. Of course mps should be held to different standards even though mps of all parties don't follow it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg
The bit about what signals do you need is also zero to do with this case or what guidelines. He came over and started pulling his hair and putting his hand down his collar. Creepy pest behaviour for anyone to someone of any age.
What it's shown me is we have a long way to go in society. People downplaying it need to realise they are wrong and stuck in a different era.
It's also nowt to do with independence. His actions are nothing to do with the snp, although there treatment of the case is. I think the most worrying thing is a supposed intelligent person in Blackford, thought it was OK to have the accused in the room when he wanted to speak to the accuser
Like all sexual assault the likelihood of proving guilt with 2 people is slim. She denied it from the start grady admitted it straight awayQuote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
I agree, but the initial finding was of that she had, I assume there must have been more evidence than an allegationQuote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
Anything in the workplace is out of order. Especially when someone is your superior.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg
So all those Dr's who married nurses, pilots cabin crew and bosses their secretaries were acting sexually inappropriate?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Tubs
Why have the panzer commander and milkmaid been dumped from this list? :grr: :panic:Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg
There is a world of difference between asking someone out for a date or a mutual attraction between 2 consenting adults getting together. This situation is not that, it was a teenage boy being propositioned by the Chief Whip of the SNP - someone extremely senior to him and of great influence remember.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg
It would be like the 40 something chief steward getting drunk coming on to the teenage trainee cabin crew. Totally inappropriate, the House of Commons and the SNP didn't suspend him for nothing, Grady never stood up and delivered a public apology for nothing as well.
I find it astonishing people are brushing this off.
Again, an 'apology' (as Blackford finally says something about the matter) from the SNP that isn't really an apology. Similar to what Sturgeon had to say. Sorry the incident happened but not sorry to the complainant. As I've mooted, there's seems to be something more to this re the party's opinion of the guy:
Blackford says lessons will be learned after MP’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour (msn.com)
Everywhere worth there salt has criteria in place to report relationships in the workplace, exactly to stop abuse. I don't think your getting it wouldn't be news if it was a relationship or consenting. This is about abuse and unwanted sexual touching. You can't pinch your secrataries arse like the 70s, if you do you will get fired and chargedQuote:
Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg
Angus Robertson looked the other way when told of Alex Salmond's concerning behaviour at Edinburgh Airport as well. Staff around Salmond had concerns about his behaviour but were scared to speak out incase it damaged Independence as the referendum was coming up. Lessons be will learned they said.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
I see today as well the bullying investigation into Fergus Ewing is not being made public as it's not in the public interest apparently (so likely upheld) Yet when Priti Patel was accused of same thing the SNP demanded it be made public. Hypocrisy is rife in politics.
I suppose that's why we have an appeals procedure in place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
I've had my genitals and backside grabbed on work Christmas nights out, and that was wildly inappropriate. But I am a grown man, and I am not intimidated in the way a young woman would be. I could have had them sacked, im sure, but the embarrassed apology done me given the women's age and size.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
And this is nothing like what happened to me. This was mild in the extreme. Particularly in the dismissed case against the female MP, I'd suggest that this guy is at it. Imagine writing down that statement " she stroked my neck and I was scared." Get directly in the bin. The parliament is riddled with sexual misconduct - largely, I bet, because its a bad idea to have loads of cheap drink in your offices- and "they stroked my neck" is the one that breaks through?
It's all a bit odd.
I'm not brushing it off, I just think it's opened up a whole new topic of discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by James310
If what is being reported on here about Grady is as it's being described then that and the SNP's reaction to it is sleazy.
I don't think you realise how brutal this chat is. The part about the woman's age and size really fires it home. Your stuck in a different era thankfullyQuote:
Originally Posted by 500miles
"But I am grown man"Quote:
Originally Posted by 500miles
"mild in the extreme"
"this guy it at it"
"get directly in the bin"
What a horrendous post. Grady has admitted sexual misconduct ffs.
I'm genuinely shocked at the response of some SNP supporters on this. On this thread alone we've had the victim mocked and laughed at with emojis and now the above statements.
People need to get a grip. The mask certainly seems to be slipping for some.
Grady must resign his position is untenable and he is damaging the SNP. Blackford, who has done well at Westminster, is being dragged down on this as his response is not any different to Johnston standing by his mates when they’ve behaved appallingly. If you take up public office you are subjected to a higher level of public scrutiny and standards.
If Sarwar had acted like this many poster on here would be going crazy and can you imagine if Mick Lynch from the RMT had done something like this then the whole of the U.K. media would be in a frenzy.
You're way off the mark with that kind of chat.Quote:
Originally Posted by 500miles
What the hell age and size has to do with anything, who knows?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
It's like MeToo never happened.
The power imbalance here was ridiculous. Nobody in a position of trust can breach those boundaries. The era where people turned blind eyes to inappropriate behaviour are widely gone. And with good reason.
The era people seem to be harking back to also allowed the likes of well known creepy disc jockeys and personalities to act in predatory fashion.
We've still a long way to go it seems...
As has this story it seems. The guy's not letting things lie with Blackford:Quote:
Originally Posted by LewysGot2
https://news.sky.com/story/amp/ian-blackford-snps-westminster-leader-facing-calls-to-resign-over-handling-of-sexual-harassment-case-12638655
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-61909112Quote:
Originally Posted by Glory Lurker
The staffer clearly has no intention of letting them move on. He seems to carry a lot of media clout, while Blackford rejecting the invitation to appear on Radio Scotland will do nothing to put this story to bed. Uncomfortable FMQs for Sturgeon by the sounds of it.
According to this she admitted being too drunk to recall exactly what was said and it seems largely to have come down to a case of his word against hers:Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20230482.snp-mp-patricia-gibson-cleared-sexual-misconduct-bungled-investigation/
Like most cases like these, it's most of the time unlikely that guilt will be proven. Do mps regularly get black out drunk at their work bar.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
A proper Scotsman would have turned round and given his assailant one in the orchestra stalls.
Watched Blackford’s interview on STV, avoided answering any of the questions, a lot of rhetoric on reflection etc…end of day the 2 day suspension will sufficient blah blah, independent enquiry blah blah …. Car crash of interview imho
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-61926125Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
If Sturgeon says his comments were "utterly indefensible" and "unacceptable" why does she still have "full confidence" in him?!
Reading that, it's bizarre Blackford never got his booksQuote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Nothing will happen, they again will again close ranks, possibly issue another gagging order and carry on as if nothing had ever happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Your right, but as abhorrent as Blackfords conduct is there are worse examples in the SNP, online grooming, theft as well as sexual predation, it’s rife through the SNP.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berwickhibby
Almost forgot about the missing £600k ……
they are an arrogant party that have been in power far too long, Scotland is becoming more like North Korea every day
Unless the vote of confidence in him from Sturgeon ultimately ends up like most votes of confidence do...Quote:
Originally Posted by Stairway 2 7
Grady to step away from SNP membership as police launch probe into allegations against him:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...itics-61942317
Think Blackford will lose his job this week as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've never been able to stomach him but I am often sceptical of recorded/leaked info from private meetings. It can be distasteful when you see how context can be distorted to suit an agenda. However, on this occasion Blackford has had ample opportunity to set the record straight and his response has fallen way short of what was required. Whatever his personal opinion of the complainant (and reading between the lines I think we can assume it's low) and his apparent high regard for Grady none of this should have stood in the way of a straightforward apology from a guy in his position of responsibility. Instead we get one of those meaningless non-apologies ie I'm sorry this incident took place/sorry if my actions caused offence etc. Sturgeon's 'apology' has been little better...Blackford's calls to rally round Grady were 'completely unacceptable' yet she retains full confidence in him. What sort of sense are we supposed to make of that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
A blundering response all round and extremely awkward timing as Sturgeon tries to kick some life into her latest independence drive.
As this article (written prior to the current headlines) asks, surely the SNP can do better than Blackford?
https://www.newstatesman.com/politic...-ian-blackford
He should have been sacked last week. That doesn’t happen to front benchers of either Government any more. Sturgeon will only act if she feels public opinion has turned so far against Blackford she has no choice. The hypocrisy of it all is sickening.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozyhibby
Her attempt at deflection ('all parties need to learn lessons') was certainly pretty lame.Quote:
Originally Posted by marinello59
Intetesting opinion piece here:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20236731.mark-smith-patrick-grady-scandal-sign-changed/
I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this topic, but I was reading a very disturbing article on the influence the Crown has on Government decisions, even in the Holyrood parliament.
The viewpoint of one of the MSPs was that it's almost impossible to say which policies were amended after interference from the crown, because a number of policies are modified in advance, with the expectation of opposition.
"Under an arcane mechanism known as Queen’s consent, the monarch is routinely given advance sight of proposed laws that could affect her personal property and public powers. Unlike the better-known procedure of royal assent, a formality that marks the moment when a bill becomes law, Queen’s consent must be sought before the relevant legislation can be approved by parliament."
...
"The procedure, which operates in the UK, Scottish and Welsh parliaments, dictates that proposed laws cannot be implemented without the monarch’s approval when a bill might affect her public powers or private interests such as her privately owned estates at Balmoral and Sandringham."
...
"The memo further states that Nicola Sturgeon’s government deemed it too expensive to collate and publish a list of bills that had been modified. The Scottish government has also refused to release any of the Queen’s lawyers’ letters, arguing they must remain secret to protect her constitutional and legal privileges."
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...overnment-memo
:hmmm: