SNP are lying b******s as well !

[Moulin Yarns]

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Late to the party on this one but at least some of those relate to long-term, recurring funding grants (either new, increases to existing or previous annual funding converted to recurring), not a one-off thing like this. For the record, I'm not that fussed that the SG has done this - and I'm in the No camp. Just pointing out that those figures aren't comparing apples with apples.

The reason for the £300,000

Over 5,000 schoolchildren will continue to enjoy free literary events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the next three years, thanks to a £300,000 grant from the Scottish Government.

The one-off funding will support the festival's acclaimed schools programme with more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with*How to Train Your Dragon*author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce.*

The grant will also maintain travel cost support and free tickets for pupils whose families are unable to cover the cost of ticketed events, ensuring young people of all backgrounds across Edinburgh have an opportunity to participate in the internationally renowned festival. Children attending will receive a free book through the philanthropy of Book Festival donors as well.



But let's blame it on Nicola Sturgeon being on the programme for the festival.

[Hibs4185]

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The reason for the £300,000

Over 5,000 schoolchildren will continue to enjoy free literary events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the next three years, thanks to a £300,000 grant from the Scottish Government.

The one-off funding will support the festival's acclaimed schools programme with more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with*How to Train Your Dragon*author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce.*

The grant will also maintain travel cost support and free tickets for pupils whose families are unable to cover the cost of ticketed events, ensuring young people of all backgrounds across Edinburgh have an opportunity to participate in the internationally renowned festival. Children attending will receive a free book through the philanthropy of Book Festival donors as well.



But let's blame it on Nicola Sturgeon being on the programme for the festival.

Bad old SNP

[Moulin Yarns]

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Bad old SNP

The full information here

https://www.gov.scot/news/300-000-boost-for-edinburgh-international-book-festival/

[Hibspur]

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The reason for the £300,000

Over 5,000 schoolchildren will continue to enjoy free literary events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the next three years, thanks to a £300,000 grant from the Scottish Government.

The one-off funding will support the festival's acclaimed schools programme with more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with*How to Train Your Dragon*author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce.*

The grant will also maintain travel cost support and free tickets for pupils whose families are unable to cover the cost of ticketed events, ensuring young people of all backgrounds across Edinburgh have an opportunity to participate in the internationally renowned festival. Children attending will receive a free book through the philanthropy of Book Festival donors as well.



But let's blame it on Nicola Sturgeon being on the programme for the festival.

The free events for schoolchildren had been funded for about 20 years thanks to Baillie Gifford's sponsorship of not only the Edinburgh book festival but others around the UK which are now scrabbling for funding thanks to their daft decision to bow to fossil fuel activists. I imagine Baillie Gifford remain as bewildered now as they did last year by the claims of these fringe dafties considering their investment in fossil fuels is miniscule in comparison to most comparable companies. The festival doesn't really deserve this parachute payment as they've brought their financial troubles on themselves, but it would be no surprise if Sturgeon's presence and the recruitment of Lloyd to the board is an attempt to burnish the rather tarnished St Nicola halo.

[silverhibee]

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I don’t think there was any danger of a conviction. Police Scotland just saw an opportunity to go for the SNP. There was zero evidence at the trial of any guilt.
What there was though was a nightmare for HR and a definite sacking offence for any employer.
He should have been sacked long before he quit.


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My son worked in security at the airport and when Salmond was coming through the airport women would take breaks and they would try to usher him through as quickly as possible, he wasn’t a nice man, been his company a couple of times and talk about someone who looks down on you was the impression I got, was at a hotel for POTY Awards in Glasgow many moons ago and he wasn’t a nice at the table, trying to sneak a kiss or touching a hand of the young girls serving and thinking he must think he is gods gift to women, a sleaze ball but I don’t think that’s a criminal offence.

[silverhibee]

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Evidence for what …he had money ….now he hasn’t and provided the Legal Aid Commisiin enough evidence to be granted Legal Aid. He is not going on trial for any offence against the Legal Aid Commission

Boris Johnson had money but he got £250k for legal aid, I know that’s in England but the rules must be about the same in each country.

I’m sure there is loopholes and he has maybe taken advantage of that or he just doesn’t have the money you think he does.

[jamie_1875]

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Boris Johnson had money but he got £250k for legal aid, I know that’s in England but the rules must be about the same in each country.

I’m sure there is loopholes and he has maybe taken advantage of that or he just doesn’t have the money you think he does.

I don't think he did get actual Legal Aid, his legal expenses for Partygate where paid for by the UK Government as it related to his time in Government and when he was PM (which is just as bad) but strictly speaking it wasn't Legal Aid in the same way Murrell is getting it. It's like John Swinney being taken to court and his legal fees being paid by the Scottish Government as he is the FM.

[hibee]

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Personally i think he as lawfully disposed of his assets to insure he is not liable for legal and court costs plus any other financial penalties further down the line.

This seems like the most logical explanation.

The legal aid board say they made the decision based on the financial information he provided to them so not sure how they know he told them the truth.

His partners income would also be taken into account if they were still living together so that’s a bonus for them that she moved into Val’s flat around the time he would have submitted his application.

[He's here!]

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The SNP owed him 60k in their last accounts, I wonder if they still do. If they don't he's needed or used the majority to be able to get legal aid, if not he's benefiting from not being paid from scot gov at the expense of the tax payer.

Legal aid for Murrell could end if SNP repays loan | The Herald https://share.google/vFeL5A3Lr5O5NG5gZ

They still owe him the money.

[Jack]

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This seems like the most logical explanation.

The legal aid board say they made the decision based on the financial information he provided to them so not sure how they know he told them the truth.

His partners income would also be taken into account if they were still living together so that’s a bonus for them that she moved into Val’s flat around the time he would have submitted his application.

The thing that doesn't convince me of that is that his application will have been made through his lawyer. I'm sure any financial shenanigans (in an embezzlement case 😆) would be looked on very dimly by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Both his lawyer and the regulatory authority will be only to well aware of the political and media spotlight on this case.

[Stairway 2 7]

He's shocking with money if he was in a couple with 2 100k earners and he's came out decades later with nothing saved and no assets, especially as he was able to loan 100k cash not too long ago.

The SNP must give the 60k back now so the tax payer isn't paying his fees or it'll seem fairly dodgy

[jamie_1875]

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He's shocking with money if he was in a couple with 2 100k earners and he's came out decades later with nothing saved and no assets, especially as he was able to loan 100k cash not too long ago.

The SNP must give the 60k back now so the tax payer isn't paying his fees or it'll seem fairly dodgy

He has part ownership of a home in Portugal as well, wonder if that is taken into account.

If he had still been with Nicola Sturgeon her income would have been taken into account so convenient timing to split a few weeks before he likely did his legal aid application. She is picking up a nice £300K book advance and has made more than £200,000 since quitting as FM (all paid into her Ltd company so she doesn't have to pay the higher rate income tax she introduced)

The optics look terrible but all seems above the law etc so while it looks terrible it's all legal. Probably very planned and calculated.

[Ozyhibby]

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He has part ownership of a home in Portugal as well, wonder if that is taken into account.

If he had still been with Nicola Sturgeon her income would have been taken into account so convenient timing to split a few weeks before he likely did his legal aid application. She is picking up a nice £300K book advance and has made more than £200,000 since quitting as FM (all paid into her Ltd company so she doesn't have to pay the higher rate income tax she introduced)

The optics look terrible but all seems above the law etc so while it looks terrible it's all legal. Probably very planned and calculated.

Planned break up to get legal aid?
I can see how the right find it so easy to get people believing all their conspiracies now.


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[jamie_1875]

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Planned break up to get legal aid?
I can see how the right find it so easy to get people believing all their conspiracies now.


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It wouldn't actually surprise me, they knew what was coming and they knew her assets would be used. I would do the same if I knew they were going to take potentially hundreds of thousands from my wife, nice little arrangement. Wouldn't you have a similar arrangement if you had the choice between a bill of a few hundred thousand pounds or a little statement saying sorry we are no longer together. It's certainly one of the most believable conspiracy theories.

[Hibspur]

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Legal aid for Murrell could end if SNP repays loan | The Herald https://share.google/vFeL5A3Lr5O5NG5gZ

They still owe him the money.

https://x.com/joannaccherry/status/1941027047515869509

Maybe already mentioned, but according to this exchange involving Joanna Cherry, his liquid assets have all been frozen.

What's become of the camper van? Still in police lock-up? From what I recall that was allegedly paid for in cash, with the party treasurer unaware of its purchase. I guess its value must have declined significantly by now, so probably not a major asset for Murrell or the SNP, whoever it actually belongs to.

[Hibspur]

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/...give-sturgeon/

No punches pulled.

Is MacAskill still involved with Hibernian Supporters incidentally (must remember to resume my DD!)?

[CropleyWasGod]

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https://x.com/joannaccherry/status/1941027047515869509

Maybe already mentioned, but according to this exchange involving Joanna Cherry, his liquid assets have all been frozen.

What's become of the camper van? Still in police lock-up? From what I recall that was allegedly paid for in cash, with the party treasurer unaware of its purchase. I guess its value must have declined significantly by now, so probably not a major asset for Murrell or the SNP, whoever it actually belongs to.

2 different auditors seem happy that the van belongs to the party.

As for your claim about the treasurer, he signed the 2021 accounts which included (explicitly) the purchase of the van.

[CropleyWasGod]

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He has part ownership of a home in Portugal as well, wonder if that is taken into account.

If he had still been with Nicola Sturgeon her income would have been taken into account so convenient timing to split a few weeks before he likely did his legal aid application. She is picking up a nice £300K book advance and has made more than £200,000 since quitting as FM (all paid into her Ltd company so she doesn't have to pay the higher rate income tax she introduced)

The optics look terrible but all seems above the law etc so while it looks terrible it's all legal. Probably very planned and calculated.

Yes she does, if she's withdrawing that level of cash from the company.

[Ozyhibby]

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Yes she does, if she's withdrawing that level of cash from the company.

She’ll be paying more won’t she? 25% corporation tax and then dividend tax of about 39%?


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[CropleyWasGod]

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She’ll be paying more won’t she? 25% corporation tax and then dividend tax of about 39%?


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I have no idea, just as probably everyone in this discussion.

Everyone's situation is different, but I'd doubt she'd be paying much more tax by incorporating. If she is, her advisers need struck-off The normal big saving is in NI.

My point, though, is that she's due tax on her income at the same rates as every other Scottish resident.

[jamie_1875]

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Yes she does, if she's withdrawing that level of cash from the company.

If....like many she will no doubt manage it so she pays the minimum level of taxes she can. A dose of hypocrisy as well after the SNP said Ruth Davidson should have resigned after taking payment as a sitting MSP for a television appearance on an election night show.

[Berwickhibby]

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If....like many she will no doubt manage it so she pays the minimum level of taxes she can. A dose of hypocrisy as well after the SNP said Ruth Davidson should have resigned after taking payment as a sitting MSP for a television appearance on an election night show.

Everyone in business try’s to pay as little as possible in tax and NI, and as longs as this is done legally then that’s not an issue imho. But the Hypocrisy of politicians, regardless of what party they represent, has been going on for as long as I remember.

[CropleyWasGod]

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If....like many she will no doubt manage it so she pays the minimum level of taxes she can. A dose of hypocrisy as well after the SNP said Ruth Davidson should have resigned after taking payment as a sitting MSP for a television appearance on an election night show.

Do you have a problem with that, or is it because it's her?

My point stands, that she is liable to the same levels of Income Tax as every other Scottish resident. She may choose not to withdraw anything from her company, and not pay any tax, or she may choose to withdraw enough to keep her in basic rates, but what would be the point of either? Earning "all that money", without being able to touch it, just to avoid paying tax?

[Kato]

Jamie is easy with the tax system unless its Nicola Sturgeon using it.

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[jamie_1875]

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Jamie is easy with the tax system unless its Nicola Sturgeon using it.

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It's the hypocrisy, the SNP when she was leader criticised Ruth Davidson for appearing on an election TV show and earning £10K paid into a Ltd company. They called for her resignation. A few years later Nicola Sturgeon does exactly the same and is paid £30K. But to be honest it was worth it to see her face as the exit poll suggested the SNP had 11 seats, and then again when Peter Smith ripped her a new one on live TV. Great TV.

https://youtu.be/hNxKNEUHmXE?si=5qmENuJQ_rSdy3s9&utm_source=MTQxZ

The SNP said at the time "Serving politicians who appear on election night broadcasts do so to represent their party – not to pick up a pay cheque. This payment is unprecedented – and she should now hand it back.”