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Absolute Riddy Of The Day

Posted on August 23, 2018 by

We did a poll, and the people have spoken:

Um, who was actually the UK government in fiscal year 2009/10, lads?

The worthy runner-up is below:

In fairness, at least “Simply The Best!” had enough intelligence and self-awareness to delete the tweet and lock their account (albeit not enough to notice that the football club they support will need at least 55 years from now to amass 55 league titles).

Scottish Labour, though, whose tweet is still there 27 hours later, can only dream of one day achieving that sort of brainpower.

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  1. 23 08 18 22:56

    Absolute Riddy Of The Day | speymouth
    Ignored

161 to “Absolute Riddy Of The Day”

  1. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    I blame the parents, and pigeons

  2. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    OH. MY…! Bwahahahahahaha (and breathe) hahahaha and HAH! 😀

    That’s definitely a deserving winner.

  3. Croompenstein
    Ignored
    says:

    Prophetically, ‘Simply The Best!’s’ header photo has a zombie sitting over against the right hand side wall… 😀

  4. thingy
    Ignored
    says:

    27 months later…

    Going for 55…

    Only Labour can…

  5. Clootie
    Ignored
    says:

    …in all seriousness..what is the point of voting Labour in Scotland!

  6. Bob Mack
    Ignored
    says:

    These people are actually allowed a vote ?

  7. Jack collatin
    Ignored
    says:

    There’s only so much inbreeding the Red Tory Branch Office can indulge in before they are reduced to bumbling brain dead cabbages.
    Seriously, look down the list of Red Tory MSPs.
    Govern Scotland?
    They really are frighteningly abject.
    And we just paid for them to have a 10 week paid holiday; £12,000 each. History will laugh its fucking head off if we don’t reclaim our country and drive these carpetbaggers out.

  8. Davie Oga
    Ignored
    says:

    When is the BBC going to apologize for their apology about the GERS figures?
    Nonsense about “a reduction in Scotland’s deficit”.
    Scotland has no deficit, no surplus, no debt.

  9. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    O/T

    And posting too soon?!

    Some good news. Great news.

    https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2018/08/23/the-national-launches-a-sunday-edition/

  10. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    O/T

    BBC News: Alex Salmond has been accused of sexual misconduct when he was First Minister.

    FGS!

  11. frogesque
    Ignored
    says:

    @clootie 10.00

    Actually, what is the point of SLab?

  12. ScottishPsyche
    Ignored
    says:

    Some very strange stuff going on today. Check out the statement Alex Salmond has just made on his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/AlexSalmond

  13. robertknight
    Ignored
    says:

    Idiots – they walk amongst us, usually sporting a badge proclaiming “Vote Labour”

  14. Arbroath1320
    Ignored
    says:

    Oh look … the wee branch office that has … erm … whatshisname as TEMPORARY branch manager are incapable of remembering anything that happened more than … say … 5 nanoseconds ago. Still they have their great and “knowledgeable” leader to show them how it’s done after all. (him of the “who is Jackson Carlaw” question to his junior branch manager)

  15. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Petra @10.36pm

    Yep Petra caught tail end of report on Scotland Tonight…God and to think tis just recently he was supporting Indy peeps re Youtube copyright shit against the BBC…wow coincidences…if you were suspicious or cynical you might just think it was a set up….how long ago was he was first minister again ?????

    Is the establishment fighting back ?

  16. doug_bryce
    Ignored
    says:

    re : Alex Salmond.

    Odd that this suddenly breaks.

    His complaint seems to be against the civil service rather than Scottish government. BBC headline is mis-leading.

  17. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    Shit really is hitting the fan now with alex Salmond going to take the “Scottish Government” to court!

    Mr Salmond accused the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government of “behaving unlawfully” in its application of the complaints procedure and said he will take his case to the Court of Session.

    http://archive.fo/OZPrT

    The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government is the senior Civil Servant in Scotland. Currently that role is held by Leslie Evans who first came to Scotland in 1985 having been born in NI and brought up in England according to Wiki.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Evans

  18. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ ScottishPsyche @ 10.42pm

    Wow….wtf !!!!!!!

    There was me thinking when I heard about it on Scotland Tonight
    ( just caught tail end) that accusation had just come up wtf ?

  19. Ian Brotherhood
    Ignored
    says:

    @Jack Collatin –

    Hear hear.

    No-one else seems to remember this, but one of the Scottish early evening news ‘shows’ (many many moons ago) had a live report from Glasgow City Chambers where yon flower-bed Provost had survived a vote of no-confidence or suchlike drama and behind him, as he was gently turned (as opposed to grilled) by the studio-based presenter, the attendees at the meeting traipsed out to go about their other democratic business.

    A more gruesome sight has seldom been seen – these were, presumably, the Labour councillors who have, in Greater Glasgow, become the stuff of lore for all the wrong reasons. There was not a single one of them who looked ‘right’ in any meaningful sense. And before I get pilloried for mocking people’s ‘looks’, let me stress that this was something else, transcending physical features and/or dress sense – it’s more to do with body-language. I’m no Desmond Morris, but there was a tragi-comic swagger about these characters which is normally associated with adult male primates – that’s perhaps why it was so disconcerting to see it in women. We can see it in yon dunderheid Kelly when he acts all gallus, ‘Ahm no gonny sit down…’ and the general cut of Neil Findlay, who looks permanently on-guard to take part in a gang fight.

    No-one can know for sure whether the SNP will ever gain an overall majority on the Council, but one thing is certain – Labour hegemony in Glasgow is over.

  20. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    While Alex was helping us out he had this hanging over his head.

    http://www.thenational.scot/news/16595921.alex-salmond-takes-legal-action-against-the-scottish-government-over-handling-of-harassment-claims/

    Something stinks and it’s definitely not Alex.

    Permanent Secretary: Leslie Evans. Born in Northern Ireland and brought up in England. Just saying.

    http://www.holyrood.com/articles/inside-politics/leslie-evans-interview-permanent-secretary-scottish-government

  21. Robert Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    Dirty tricks at play. It’s the ‘English’ establishment way, dontchaknow.

    They know there is not one good reason for Scotland remaining under English colonial rule anymore.

    London is very, very afraid. Expect more of this.

    With each passing day, I despise them even more. They really can go to hell.

  22. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @ScottishPsyche

    For for the link, better that we hear the story straight from the horses mouth so to speak.

    https://twitter.com/AlexSalmond

  23. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Clapper 57 … “Wow coincidences” ………

    They’ll stop at nothing now Clapper. This is it. The end game. England can’t afford to lose its cash cow . More than anything find somewhere else to dump their weapons of mass destruction.

  24. dakk
    Ignored
    says:

    Anyone who takes on the Establishment can expect dirty play to take them down.

    Just ask Julian Assange.

  25. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    What lies are the BBC coming away with now. Lying hypocrites. Westminster low lives. They are the lowest of the low. They have tried to smear Alex Salmond continually. When he is telling the truth. Hope he sues them.

    Do some football supporters not support the Westminster establishment and Brexit. Up to their eyes in debt. Evading taxes. Her Maj revenues and customs. Yet they want European honours and many of the players are foreign.. Migrants.

    Newsquest reporters claiming to be neutral on Independence. The bile that they write. Sneering and vindictive. Plain to see.

  26. robert alexander harrison
    Ignored
    says:

    That whole story stinks why would they wait this long it was the record that started it and only came out the day the msm hate Alex with a vengeance there’s no way they’d of waited 11 to report something like this it stinks they not even shown salmond any proof he did it and it’s innocent untill proven guilty.

  27. HandandShrimp
    Ignored
    says:

    To be fair to Labour 2009/10 probably now seems like an alternate dimension and one they can only vaguely recall.

  28. Jason Smoothpiece
    Ignored
    says:

    Labour are now beyond funny this crowd of idiots are the official opposition.

    I am no lover of the British Nationalist Labour party but the painful truth is this is dangerous for democracy.

    The mob who misspelled Keir Hardie on one of their displays, and then when you, very rarely in fairness, hear their many inarticulate MPs attempt to speak its painful.

    They never make a positive contribution they are stuck between the Tories and….. the Tories.

    Keep this to yourselves I am told some folk actually vote for them.

  29. Greannach
    Ignored
    says:

    It looks like a Vile Cybernat is in charge of The Branch’s tweets and is trying to make the outfit look ridiculous. Or else it’s Richard Whatshisname behaving as normal.

  30. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Petra @ 11.16pm

    Yep Petra. Shit just got real….are we surprised ?

  31. Jason Smoothpiece
    Ignored
    says:

    Anent the allegations regarding Alex Salmond I’m surprised there has not been more of this stuff.

    Prominent independence supporter found with “stuff” on home computer.

    Prominent independence supporter commits suicide by crashing car then shooting himself thens throws gun away.

    FM says she prefers Tories ….. just saying.

  32. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    There has never been such nonsense about Alex Salmond. Any accusers better not get anonymity this time, Just another witch hunt. It had better be all out in the open. Or there will be ruptures from the members. Smearing people without evidence. Or any justification. Totally out of proportion. Just raging,

  33. Effijy
    Ignored
    says:

    I’m hoping Alex can take this to court and pick up a few £Million
    from those behind it all.

    Yet another French Gate situation created by the UK establishment

    He has my support 100%.

  34. dakk
    Ignored
    says:

    First the crap allegations about Yemen/Raytheon,and now this weak pish about Alex Salmond.

    The actual filthy British war criminals and paedophile enablers are just trying to tar their opponents with the same brush.

    We always knew the British liars were capable of this and much worse.

    Willie Macrae,Jill Dando?Tried to get Stu as well.

  35. Arbroath1320
    Ignored
    says:

    If we have reached the stage now where allegations are being made against Alex Salmond then I truly believe we have reached the tipping point where Unionists start blowing their brains out when he wins his court case cause they will then know that they have truly lost!

  36. Meg merrilees
    Ignored
    says:

    Here we go –

    Alex Salmond to be ridiculed now in a vague attempt to tarnish the entire Scottish Government.

    Surely you are allowed to know what you stand accused of?

    Who is next?

    We must be getting really close now.

  37. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    Don’t know how many of you remember the snide remarks when Nicola Sturgeon old how she had miscarried. There was some really horrendous newspaper articles. No one who has seen Nicola interacting with people and children in particular could ever doubt her sincerity and obvious love of children.

    That is unless you are a female article writer for something like the Independent:-

    https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/nicola-sturgeon-miscarriage-childless-theresa-may-explain-it-to-anyone-a7227106.html

    So there really isn’t anything new about the depths the Great British Press will sink to in their quest to protect their wonderful union. Their union is dead – it just hasn’t realised it yet and the British Media just cannot bring themselves to accept the tragic death.

  38. Artyhetty
    Ignored
    says:

    It was obvious that the BBC faux ‘apology’ about GERS, was a lead into a massive anti SNP story via some kind of smear against a prominent politician. People on twitter saying let’s wait and see before saying it’s a smear against Alex Salmond. Nah, it’s a smear.

    An excellent way to detract from UKTory brexit shambles, and Labour not even attempting to oppose the Tories.

    The Britnat establishment are worried.

  39. Liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    It actually sounds as though he is heading off the allegation before the Media get control of the narrative..
    And doing it before the campaign and not leaving it to come out during it,at a time of their choosing,when it would do the most damage.
    When ever they accused him of not acting properly when he was fist minister didn’t he always put himself up for investigating?….. And win his point too!

  40. HandandShrimp
    Ignored
    says:

    The accusations against Salmond date from 2013 at the height of Indyref1

    Seems implausible to me. However, these are dangerous and turbulent times for the UK state.

  41. Liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    Artyhetty @ 12.19
    How are ye keeping?
    Did ye get a new date for yer surgery?
    Mind and keep us informed!

  42. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @Liz g

    Yes they were hoping to use the press to through mud at a time of their choosing and hope that some of it would stick to Alex Salmond. Just look at Michelle Thomson as an example.

    @HandandShrimp

    Yep, clocked that as well and it’s very important because were the accusations actually made in 2013 or more recently and that the alleged offences were committed in 2013?

    It’s important because the Record that broke the story claim that it has now been reported to Police Scotland “after an internal inquiry”.

    If the allegations were actually made in 2013 then any internal inquiry would have been made then while AS was still the First Minister and could have had his say.

    So my guess is that these are only recent allegations relating to 2013.

    Alex Salmond is no Michelle Thomson and he’s flew out of the gate with his own legal case before one has even been considered by anyone else. I’m glad he’s done that and that it’s all out in the open now.

    get in into court and let’s hear the evidence. Need a crowdfunder Alex just give a shout on Wings!

  43. Wull
    Ignored
    says:

    Regarding Alex Salmond, it is not far-fetched to believe that this is an establishment ruse to finish him off. If so, it would only show how rattled they are.

    We could also imagine that they have developed this strategy on the basis of ‘precedent’. Rummaging around in the ragbag of their historical locker, they may well have reminded themselves of how they managed to finish off Charles Parnell. With a sexual scandal …

    Which probably set back the cause of Irish autonomy, and eventual independence, for a generation … (or two – depending on how you count generations). It didn’t stop the juggernaut, but it did temporarily delay its progress.

    In regard to contemporary Scotland, although not ideal, such a result would be good enough for the current establishment. They are realistic enough to know that the juggernaut towards independence will still continue, and eventually cross the line. But if only they can keep it at bay long enough to suck Scotland dry of its precious resources before that happens, then that would still amount to a considerable success.

    The establishment’s short-term goal is purely economic. Their main objective is to keep hold of Scotland long enough to dig out everything they can from its main sources of wealth, which means fossil fuels … Whether by emptying Scotland (Scottish waters) completely of these resources before doomsday – i.e. independence – strikes … or by exploiting them for as long as they possibly can before they are eventually banned internationally, for being detrimental to the well-being of the planet.

    My guess is that this will turn out to be yet another own goal for the establishment. It is likely that there will be no case to answer, and in the process the kind of dirty tricks the establishment deploy will be thoroughly exposed. In which case, a good number of the people who always personally disliked Alex Salmond will be disgusted by this unjust mistreatment of him. It will open their eyes to what really goes on.

    There will be those who are so hostile to him anyway that they will believe whatever mud is thrown in his direction, no matter how false. But that won’t do anything to increase the anti-independence Unionist vote. These are the kind of people who
    will never vote for independence anyway.

    More fair-minded Unionists could turn towards us in disgust.

    Actually, even if it was proven that there was some kind of misconduct on Alex’s part – something which I in no way expect – I don’t think it would make a single pro-independence Scot change their mind on the issue of independence. This is where the Unionist establishment get it so wrong. They don’t know where all this movement towards Scottish independence comes from. They have no feeling for it. Because they actually know nothing at all about Scotland.

    So they think it’s only a thing fomented by some peculiar personalities, whom they regard as dangerous or deranged. Get rid of these personalities, they say, and the whole strange aberration will disappear like a puff of smoke.

    Or they think that it’s caused by romanticism and chauvinism of the most superficial and plainly ridiculous kind. They see it as an expression of childishness and immaturity, which is utterly irrational and beyond any normal person’s understanding.

    And the reason they think these things is because they really do know nothing at all about Scotland. For them it doesn’t exist as a genuine reality – it’s not a country, it has no history, there is no such thing as the Scottish people and never has been, and never will be … Because there is really only, in the end, England. They don’t think Scottish national identity has any intellectual or legal depth, or any genuine roots. So they think it can be uprooted and wiped out by picking off a few individuals like Alex Salmond, who are very clever (they admit), but at bottom just rabble-rousing trouble-makers.

    And if they really did think they could ‘do a Parnell’ on him – truly, I wouldn’t put it past them, deluded as they so spectacularly are – do they not realise that this is no longer the 19th Century? This is not about Alex Salmond: it’s about Scotland. And even if they did find something to pin on him, in no way would it finish him off.

    And one thing that is absolutely certain is this, that no matter what scandal they rake up, it would not finish off Scotland. Or the independence cause. Or anything that Alex Salmond has ever stood for.

    And the same goes for any other prominent figure in the independence movement. Those that support Scottish independence are not the idiots that the establishment takes them for. They are not blind sheep following charismatic leaders, or misty-eyed children joyfully following Pied Pipers down the garden path to their inevitable forthcoming doom. Naive opponents who launch personalised attacks on leaders of the movement no doubt think that is what is happening. Which only shows how deluded they are.

    I am not worried about this, though I am sorry that Alex Salmond may have to go through whatever they have lined up for him. I have no doubt that he will be fit for them. And no doubt at all that he, and we, and that people’s movement which is the independence cause will come out of the whole thing stronger and firmer – and more widely supported – than ever.

    It is not because people are followers of such and such a politician that they become supporters of independence. It is not because any leader of the cause is taken out by its enemies that those who are convinced of it would ever cease to believe in it. To the contrary … We know there are going to be all kinds of dirty tricks played out, and all kinds of smokescreens and diversions set up … That won’t change anything. We are convinced of independence first, and then we support politicians who promote that view. Not the other way round.

    All this latest story shows is that our opponents are scraping the barrel – and we are winning! The juggernaut will not be diverted. Alex Salmond is not Charles Parnell, and this is the 21st Century, not the 19th.

    Dear opponents – Why don’t you grow up?

  44. Artyhetty
    Ignored
    says:

    Liz@12.39am

    O/T

    Aw thanks Liz. No new date it could take weeks, it was all a bit depressing just wanted it out the way. Gallstones, nasty. Will keep you informed. I guess they don’t have time, but they don’t seem to factor in the emotional distress of surgery, or the anxiety etc. It’s like you have to be brave and grown up when you feel the opposite!

    Hoping I can sustain that next time.

    Thank you. H

  45. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    Full steam ahead and never mind the iceberg.

    Scottish Labour Parliamentary Business Manager and Women’s spokesperson Rhoda Grant says its important that the allegations are dealt with transparency.

    She said: “These are deeply disturbing allegations which will shock the people of Scotland.

    “It is vital that the Scottish government and all political parties make clear that there is no place for sexual harassment in our society. This is a high profile case which has the potential to cause distress for many people who have experienced harassment or abuse.

    “The Scottish government must do all it can to give these complainants the support they need and to create a safe space for any other survivors to come forward.”

    http://archive.fo/Ui9Kb

  46. Confused
    Ignored
    says:

    Big Lexo is taking this head-on – which is good. I am not worried about him – he has a mind like a steel trap and balls the size of melons. They won’t take him down. It will quietly be forgotten, retractions on page 27, in 8pt italic.

    Stinks of dirty tricks, which shows they are desperate. Sexual allegations are a standard tactic, which shows how lacking in imagination they are.

    Tricky thing is – the allegations being secret – that takes you into “Kafka” territory, and its cute as it is HARDER to defend against. If the purpose is a smear (-dya think?!) then in the public mind are conjured up lurid fantasies of Hollywood style misbehaviour – which is the intention. That there are 2 allegations is meant to make it more credible, but means nothing.

    Of course, the bar for “sexual assault” is set so low these days that a Benny-Hill-style leer could be called “stare rape”. Any man these days, finds himself alone with a young woman and can’t get a chaperone, should probably leave the microphone on his smartphone recording – just in case.

    I remember the Sheridan stuff – it became almost comic as daily they upped the ante –
    – 3 in a bed allegations
    – 4 in a bed !!
    – 5?
    – 6?
    – was half of fucking Manchester in that bloody bed, all fucking?

    The Daily Mail has it, no comments yet – get in first!

  47. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr @ 00:49,

    Am thinking the same. Take control of the timing so as to minimise collateral damage.

    Very disturbing that these allegations should surface right now at such a critical juncture, a whole 5 years after they were alleged to have happened.

    One is reminded of other mysterious accusations that turned out to have no substance, including Stu’s recent brush with the Met.

  48. Jason Smoothpiece
    Ignored
    says:

    If this is another Unionist set up this time against AS, if it is, and I know what folk on here think, this time if/ when they fail that has to be it finished.

    If this comes out as lies the finger has to be pointed formally by a very senior member of the Scottish government this will be nothing short of a hostile act against our country there has to be uproar by all right minded Scots and all of our friends.

    Dark times, the Regime is damaged badly and is now a very dangerous animal.

  49. Liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    Artyhetty @ 12.53…I’m sure you’ll find the strength Artyhetty, and anyway ye will jist hiv tae…. We’ve a Country tae win so ye will be needed fixed and fighting fit…X.
    ……………………………………….
    Thepnr 1.01
    Aye full steam ahead right enough…but we’re ready this time.
    And for what its worth… I don’t think they will stop at Alex Salmond but like Wull @ 12.49 was sayin… I don’t care what they say aboot who…because it has not a thing to do wi Independence!!

  50. Meg merrilees
    Ignored
    says:

    It smacks of the sudden FBI investigation into Hilary Clinton’s e-mails 10 days before the Presidential elections… which to no-one’s surprise turned out to reveal nothing unusual.

    How long would Police Scotland drag this out given half a chance – well by calling them out through the Court of Session, Alex has headed them off at the Pass.
    Does that render it sub judiciae and therefore unable to be discussed in the press? Hope so!

    They don’t like it up them (Captain Mainwaring), they don’t like it up them…

    Hold your head high Alex.

  51. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    It smacks as a takedown before a ‘snap’ GE. They know he’d re win his former seat or another one easily at this point.

    Dirty bastards.

  52. Wull
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr says:
    24 August, 2018 at 1:01 am

    ‘Scottish Labour Parliamentary Business Manager and Women’s spokesperson Rhoda Grant says its important that the allegations are dealt with transparency.

    ‘She said: “These are deeply disturbing allegations which will shock the people of Scotland.

    “It is vital that the Scottish government and all political parties make clear that there is no place for sexual harassment in our society. This is a high profile case which has the potential to cause distress for many people who have experienced harassment or abuse.

    “The Scottish government must do all it can to give these complainants the support they need and to create a safe space for any other survivors to come forward.”

    Thanks for your post, Thepnr. It makes me ask:

    Has the Labour spokesperson let the cat out of the bag? Or should I say ‘the rat’, and not ‘the cat’…? Judging by the smell …

    Ruthie knew the result of the postal vote at Indyref1 before anyone was supposed to. So, who told her?

    Now along comes Scottish Labour, speaking in a way which clearly indicates they know the full nature and content of the allegations made against Alex Salmond … So, same question: who told them?

    According to his statement, if I have understood it correctly, even Alex has not been informed of the nature and content of these allegations. At least, not of all of them … Once again, how come Labour, the official opposition in Holyrood, knows everything there is to know about them?

    Not only, who told them? But also, why were they told? Was whoever decided to give Labour this information politically motivated?

    (If the claim is made that they weren’t, then why did they do it?)

    None of us are in any position to claim, or suggest, or even suppose that the Permanent Secretary had anything to do with passing on this information.

    At the same time, Alex Salmond’s statement suggests that, in his view, she was acting in some way that was not just unethical but also illegal. That is, not just inappropriate for someone in her position in the civil service, but actually illegal.

    I have no expertise or competence in such matters, but I suppose that could mean many things. I suppose AS is right, legally speaking, when in taking it to the courts he leaves it for the judge to decide, without going any further into the detail. I doubt very much that he would have said such a thing unless he actually had – or at least believed he had – clear evidence for it, that he is confident will stand up in court.

    Labour might just have played into his hands, giving him still further evidence of the same. By jumping the gun with their gleeful statement, they might just have demonstrated how politically motivated this whole thing is. And it might turn out they have implicated someone else in their political game – namely, the person – whoever it was – who informed them of the detail of the allegations against AS, which they clearly claim to know. ‘These are deeply disturbing allegations which will shock the people of Scotland’, says the Labour spokesperson, like a tabloid titillating its audience about the huge scoop that will be revealed in tomorrow’s addition.

    Or like yet another cliffhanger ending to the latest episode of some television soap – so that we can’t wait to switch on tomorrow, and find out what will happen next. The most important thing, apparently, is that not whether the ‘allegations’ are true or false, but simply that they will shock all of us. Great! How exciting! I can’t wait to hear more …

    The Labour spokesperson’s concern for the alleged ‘victims’ of this presumed ‘harassment’ is surely very touching. Don’t such statements convince us that the welfare of the victims is what this is all about? Indeed, don’t they confirm that the Labour Party’s central concern, motivating the spokesperson to make her statement, are the good of these poor victims, and nothing else?

    I am sure we are all convinced.

    The fact that the private citizen who apparently harassed the victims is the former First Minister is no doubt purely a coincidence. So too is the fact that the Labour spokesperson tells us nothing specific about what AS is supposed to have done, only that it was harassment, he did it, and it was terrible. And, oh yes – it is an allegation. No indication that it is a proven fact, or even that anyone has been charged by the police with whatever is supposed to have happened etc. etc.

    Such a nice kind spokesperson, full of all the right concerns … No doubt, in future, she will continue to show the same concern for all other victims of all other private citizens who have done whatever it is they are supposed to have done. With the same zeal, if not glee …

    ‘Ad hominem’ politics is the politics of the sewer.

    Where the rats thrive …

  53. Wull
    Ignored
    says:

    Sorry. Typo in last post – ‘tomorrow’s edition’, not ‘tomorrow’s addition’.

  54. Wull
    Ignored
    says:

    Sorry. Typo in the previous post: ‘tomorrow’s addition’ should be ‘tomorrow’s edition’ …

  55. susan
    Ignored
    says:

    Something smells about the whole business, that’s for sure.

  56. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    An excellent hat-trick of articles and comment, thx!

    Here ScotLab… ye should make this your ‘Pinned Tweet’ indefinitely:
    https://twitter.com/scottishlabour/status/1032316731010805760

    *****
    Wouldn’t you at least like to hear both sides of the story?

    https://twitter.com/WingsScotland
    https://iscot.scot/
    http://www.businessforscotland.com/

    What’s on in Edinburgh?:
    https://united4yes.org/event/edinburgh-auob-march-for-independence/
    *****

    Je suis Alex.

  57. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    The BBC have to admit the GERS figures are rubbish. Something the Press should have done years ago,

    The next day rubbish comes out about Alex Salmond. The Labour freaking clowns.

    Accusation from 2013 allowed to go unchallenged. That Scottish Parliament is employing freaking spies.

    Something had better be done about this nonsense. Right away. This will rebound on them. A bunch of wasters, The backlash will be huge. Freaking chancers. Useless Corbyn hanging about. The DR nonsense. Labour funded. Going down the tubes. Complete and utter liars. Contemptible. Allowed to make wild accusations without any proof. Total heresay. Inadmissible in Law. Trying to smear folk should be a crime. Hope Alex sues them all. The freaking Police as well.

  58. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Forget about freaking Catalonia/Spain and man the barricades at home, might be more appropriate. Not a dead silence. The backlash to this will be huge. Something had better be done.

    Remember when the Unionists were trying to say Alex was gay. So what. Now the opposite.

    Just raging. Smearing people with no proof. The accusers getting anonymity. Just a wicked farce.

  59. Ghillie
    Ignored
    says:

    Surely Rhoda Grant’s statements are inflammatory.

    How utterly unprofessional of the Labour spokesperson.

    How utterly predictable of the Labour spokesperson.

  60. Ghillie
    Ignored
    says:

    As I said overby,

    Unionist vessel HMS Screeching Panic, full steam ahead.

  61. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    That Rhonda Grant better get telt. How come she knows so much about it when Alex can’t even find out. Lying bastards because Labour made it up. Swines

    Corbyn in Scotland complaining about asylum seekers/migrants treatment. He wants to chuck them out. Lies and says they are taking jobs when they are not allowed to work. Supports Trident. Turncoat. Cutting Trident would end austerity. McCluskey wants Trident for jobs in Barrow on Furness. Some Trade Union leaders funded the illegal wars. They enabled Blair/Brown to destroy the world economy.

    Labour supported every Tory cut. Cuts to welfare benefits and NHS/Education. Labour supported the lot. Sanctioning and starving people. They supported it. They have not turned up or abstained at every Commons (Brexit) vote. They know it will ruin the economy. When they could have taken the Tories down. Disgusting hypocrites. More scared of losing support from some ignoramouses than doing the right thing,

  62. ScottieDog
    Ignored
    says:

    So this is the first torpedo. Wonder why now and not when AS was FM?

  63. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Torquil (affairs) accuses everyone else, DR editor is a Dick.

  64. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    Interesting piece of background to the breaking of the AS story.

    From the reporter:

    The Daily Record’s political editor, David Clegg, broke the story. He tweeted: “The dam broke on this when I put some of the allegations to Salmond at 8 p.m. tonight and informed him we were planning to publish in tomorrow’s Daily Record. Salmond responded at 9.30 p.m. with his statement on the legal action. This was then sent to other newspapers as a spoiler.”

    What happens next:

    Salmond will today seek a judicial review of the way the Scottish government — which he ran until 2014 — is handling the complaints. STV’s Holyrood Editor Colin Mackay said in his bulletin last night that he had just spoken to a “very angry” Salmond, who he said will give a TV interview this afternoon once the court case has been heard. (Watch the clip here.) The Times’ Iain Martin reports Salmond may even give a full press conference today, though nothing has been confirmed as yet.

    https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/politico-london-playbook-good-morning-from-manchester-new-aussie-pm-salmond-bombshell/

  65. Robert Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    Timing is everything. Just look at where we are, with a throughly discredited non-functional Westminster Government that is utterly despised all across Scotland.

    Alex Salmond speaks with authority. From Westminster’s perspective, he MUST be silenced. Sexual innuendo and smears – the oldest trick in the Westminster playbook.

    Just watch as we are slowly drip fed, a new made up ‘revaluation’ with each passing week.

    Do not let this distract us from independence. This is a sideshow, designed to be used to smear the entire indy movement. As of today, my resolve to rid Scotland of this evil, corrupt, English colonial Government is hardened.

    Independence cannot come soon enough. As others have pointed out, this is just a taste of things to come. Westminster and its acolytes have zero integrity. They REALLY need Scotland post brexit, and will do absolutely ANYTHING to stop Scottish democracy and the restoration of Scottish independence.

  66. Dorothy Devine
    Ignored
    says:

    I know my memory can sometimes be suspect but was there no a Labour lady complaining about sexual harassment a wee whiley ago ?

    Did that just die a death or did money change hands?

    This tale about Mr Salmond is not exactly unexpected is it? Those in the establishment have been desperate to get him silenced and couldn’t take the McCrae route so have tried every other method from ‘he doesn’t answer questions’ to ‘ he’s a friend of Putin’ and now the ‘Profumo ‘ attack.

    But lest we forget the useless , pompous , non answerer of questions LORD Fallon , resigned because he was found out having patted a journalistic knee.

  67. Dorothy Devine
    Ignored
    says:

    Another thought , once this is plastered over the MSM it will be stalled with dribbling reports for ever and a day – champagne will be flowing yet again in Pacific Quay and a new GE will have come and gone and perhaps even Indyref2 before some qualified , teeny weeny not guilty verdict is reported.

    Job done eh?

    Have I mentioned that I loathe the media of Scotland , the Tory Party and the labour Party – forget the Liberals as they are totally forgettable in Scotland.

    The MSM – there is a place in Hell waiting for the dishonest , manipulating , over paid , devious liars.

  68. Ghillie
    Ignored
    says:

    A fair few of us fancied the idea that Alex Salmond would have a high profile in the Indref2 campaign.

    Whatever this is, that is how now happening, is I believe inextricably bound up with that hopeful expectation. They thought it could be extinguished…

    Yet HOPE LIVES 🙂 On and on.

    Our Alex has accusations (false or at the very least misguided ones I trust) to face and answer. Which I believe he will do. But for now, Alex may not be as available as he might have been.

    This could be calculated.

    But we, the Independence Movement, knew this kind of thing was coming.

    Ain’t going to stop us though =)

    We have loads of unknown, highly articulate, gifted, dedicated, surprising folk who have so much good stuff to say 🙂

    Nae feart 🙂

  69. stewart fae stoney
    Ignored
    says:

    I always laugh at that part in Labour posts, that they state that labour only stands for a Scotland that works for many etc. It was labour that took us to illegal wars against the peoples wishes, it was labour (Blair and Dewer) that in 1999 changed the maritime border without telling anyone, so 7 oil fields were now in english waters, without anyone knowing, Now those definately does not work for Scotland

  70. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    I refuse to be distracted by Westminster criminals, our prize is just around the corner and we know they will fight dirty.

    Keep your focus.

  71. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    M15 is behind this. With the usual unionist sycophants. The dirty tricks brigade. Clegg can get lost. Masonic bastards trying to have a field day. The morals of the Tory Royals at the top of the pile. The DUP criminals breaking UK Law, The Brexit lunatics. Anyone who believes this nonsense must be totally deluded.

    Instead of showing how the GERS figures are total rubbish. Many people expected that to happen in the IndyRef campaign. It never happened because of ignorant, dishonest ‘journalists’.

    Hope Alex sues the lot of them and wins. He is the one who has being telling the truth for years. A totally honourable person. He has nothing but the highest regard and respect for women. Fighting their corner at every turn. He has done more for the NE than anyone. Getting the AWPR built after years of being blocked by unionists and Greens. The unionists parasites ruining the City/shire. Ganging up and wasting public money like there is no tomorrow.

    Independence will win.

  72. John McLean
    Ignored
    says:

    The timing of the Alex Salmond story seems to be extremely fortuitous given the recent BBC apology ‘re GERS and their climbdown regarding censorship…AND…now the non action,including , thought or sense regarding a no deal brexit….I smell Squirrel sh©team.

  73. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Who told Clegg? Little bastard. The Labour liars?

  74. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    Amazing how the Westminster Unionist paedophile-ring papers have just disappeared into thin air along with the alleged sexual perpetrators from ALL political parties at Holyrood.

    Late last year Aamer Anwar, lawyer, stated that “a catalogue of sexual harassment issues”, etc, had been reported to him, adding that, “It’s not just a problem for one party. It’s a problem for all parties.” His latter comment seems to have “disappeared” from a number of newspapers too, giving the impression that this is a problem that relates solely to the SNP.

    Up until now it looks as though the SNP are being targetted with the prior Mark MacDonald e-mail fiasco. Who and where are the others from the Tory, Labour and Lib-dem parties? Lying low? Covering each other’s backs? Anwar also stated that the issue is a “ticking time bomb”. I reckon that they have picked on the wrong man, innocent to boot, and hope this is one (time) bomb that’s going to blow up in their (Unionist) faces.

    Oh and if you’re reading Alex and need “hauners” we’re all ready and waiting.

  75. Les Wilson
    Ignored
    says:

    The Salmond allegation stinks to high heaven, especially coming from the Record, likely with some Labour connection, time will tell..
    This is how the corrupt unionist conspirators work.
    The have been wanting something on Alex forever, and timing for them is paramount with Indy in the wind. This was apparently way back in 2013 so why so long to be brought out in the open.

    I am not buying it, it is a smear campaign again on Salmond and to depress the Indy movement, it will not work, however this works out our movement is much bigger than this.
    Alex is now taking our government to court, can’t see what else he can do, as allegations have been made, but the Unionists will be jumping up and down with glee.

    All I can say to them, is Alex is no push over and has had attempted smears aplenty before, he will not shirk from this one either,reap what you sow Record,it may sell a few more papers, but in the end it will hasten your demise.

    I will put my trust in Alex, he has always been a caring and clever man, dubious, concocted, allegations will never make me think otherwise.

  76. haudonthenoo
    Ignored
    says:

    AS story ? Come on chaps, you’ll need to do better than that. I despise these scum with a passion.

  77. Albaman
    Ignored
    says:

    Clegg ?, well named, the one we all know is a blood sucking insect, the other is —, well can you spot the difference?!!, ( i ask you, a unionist from Northern Island ).

  78. Shinty
    Ignored
    says:

    ScottieDog says:
    24 August, 2018 at 6:42 am
    So this is the first torpedo. Wonder why now and not when AS was FM?

    Exactly.
    ——-

    K1 says:
    24 August, 2018 at 1:52 am
    It smacks as a takedown before a ‘snap’ GE. They know he’d re win his former seat or another one easily at this point.

    Dirty bastards.

    Snap.

  79. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Some lunatic on the usual suspects website. Going on about banking revenues and tobacco sales. Re Scottish budget. Not forgetting banking has not made a profit for ten years making repayments back.

    If the portion of Scottish financial activities (1/12) accrued to London HQ, was accrued to Scottish Gov accounts. The so called deficit would be wiped out. Tobacco is imported so goes on the balance of payment deficit. Putting up the debt.

    Why do people bother arguing with these idiots? Groundhog Day. Just let the website decay.

  80. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Robert Louis at 7:33am …… “As of today, my resolve to rid Scotland of this evil, corrupt English colonial Government is hardened.”

    Well said, Robert. Do they think that the Scots are daft? Allegations made prior to Indyref1 (if they were), in 2013, being dredged up 5 years later to coincide with Indyref2. Your words will definitely resonate with many people across Scotland (and much further afield) today and harden our / their resolve. I reckon that the Unionists have just made a fatal mistake. Shot themselves in both feet and following the Indyref2 win …. in the head. Union over and out.

    If you visit this site please think of joining the SNP (and if possible donating whether you join or not). Show them, show them, the British nationalists, that we’re not going back into our box. SHOW THEM that their days of colonial rule over Scotland are at an end. This appeal applies to our expats too. Like the Irish before us we’re in need of your help now.

  81. Tinto Chiel
    Ignored
    says:

    Rhoda Grant’s perfectly timed and carefully drafted comments are a smoking gun, surely, when combined with the involvement of Clegg and the Daily Record in breaking the Alex Salmond smear.

    Maybe Rhoda could tell us all what was done about Monica “Look at me! Look at me!” Lennon’s lurid tales of serious sexual assault involving several Scottish Labour party males. Square root of zero? I think so.

    BLiS______d: doing the Tories’ dirty work so they don’t have to.

    AS’s prominent defence of Stuart Campbell, his continued presence on RT and the need to prevent his parliamentary comeback following another snap GE may all be factors but the Establishment seemed very, very worried worried. Actually, he can do more damage to it outside WM, in my opinion.

    Alex has wisely taken the initiative by confronting these claims now rather than suffering the death of a thousand cuts suffered by Michelle Thomson.

  82. Bob Mack
    Ignored
    says:

    Firstly, someone has breached very confidential information to inform a newspaper and a spokesperson of another political party . This is taboo.

    Secondly, any accused has the right to know about who and what the accusations allude to. Mr Salmond appears to be mostly in the dark about these pertinent facts. How odd ,as any investigation would have to know Mr Salmonds view of events. That does not appear to have occurred.

    If I were in charge of this particular investigation I would be very concerned right about now.

    Court beckons and somebody’s career is on the line . Not necessarily Mr Salmond.

  83. Jock McDonnell
    Ignored
    says:

    The term I see being alleged is ‘harassment’, not ‘abuse’ or ‘assault’. That’s probably important to lawyers I guess.

  84. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    It really doesn’t matter to the media what’s true or false, what matters to the media is how and what do they use this latest expose to achieve and we know what that is

    How have the mighty fallen is all the media wants irrespective of guilt or innocence, the smear the slur the innuendo is what counts, bring em down is the cry like snarling wolves they’ll gather their forces and drip drip drip constantly until the final day of judgement, guilty or not it will never be left alone

    We’ll have the no smoke without fire if innocent and the *revelations* if guilty with ranks of previous victims lining up to parade their victimhoods of nightmare scenarios with the expected Labour and Tory faux outrages and the *calls* for the evil nest of vipers that is the SNP to be cleared out and replaced by the great and the good who knew of this culture of evil for years but could not say for legal reasons

    Which is worse? the supposed criminal or victim or the vultures tearing the flesh from the bones of either while they’re still alive

    The media don’t care as long as they get to destroy something, anything, y’see it’s the story that counts

  85. Dave McEwan Hill
    Ignored
    says:

    As the rise of Donald Trump has proved this sort of stuff doesn’t carry half as much political weight as the media would like to believe.

    The less we agitate about it the sooner it dies. Back to the real issues,please.

  86. Marie Clark
    Ignored
    says:

    I just don’t believe a word of this nonsense about Alex Salmond. It’s alleged to have happened in 2013 when Alex was FM. Now I’m quite sure the establishment would have trolled the deep dark depths to try and find something at that time to find something on him. Never managed it.

    So why now? Well Alex has a successful TV Show on RT which annoys the establishment. He has recently taken on the beeb and won. Indyref2 is not too far away now, and he being a private citizen could do and say what he wanted. To them he is dangerous, so they are going after him.

    Labour statement stinks, how do they know anything when even Alex has not been told. Does that suggest that is it someone within the labour ranks who has made the complaint. Who knows, but oportunists like Rhoda Grant should think twice before opening their mouths and letting their belly rumble.

    Well they’ve picked the wrong guy. He’s out of the traps going to court and ahead of them all. Did they really think he would go quietly. Nae Chance. Go get em Alex.

    This will not affect the rest of the independence movement, cause it comes mostly from us, Jock & Jeanie public. It won’t deter us because we are very very determined to be an independent country once more.

  87. Gfaetheblock
    Ignored
    says:

    The mark macdonald case exposed that holyrood procedures around workplace harassment were lacking. There is potential court case coming, so all parties should be allowed respect as this proceeds.

    Our would be incorrect for either side of the constitutional debate to try and make political capital here.

  88. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    I forgot to mention this

    The media are going to hang out willing bait for SNP supporters to snap at please don’t bite and give them what they want

  89. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    The McDonald accusations turned out to be utter rubbish. An inappropriate text. Not shared sense of humour. Totally inappropriate but happens a million times a day. Letting a colleague sleep it off. Doing them a favour. Touching someone’s bum by mistake? A back handed compliment. Screen saved and saved (for years?). How manipulating is that? Just say ‘get lost’.

    The idea Mark McDonald is a sexual predator or a bully. It is totally laughable. He would not say boo to a goose. More afraid of women. Arkward around them. A total family man. Always out and about with his family with the extra burden of anxiety and stress. A gentle man.

    All the good work done on behalf of autism and additional needs swept aside. People in the spectrum often have difficulties with social norms and misread situations. Diversity training is the key in society. Some of the Parliamentary employees seem to be above themselves. Full of their own importance. Jumping on the bandwagon.

    The BBC is off again.

  90. Ian Foulds
    Ignored
    says:

    Marie Clark at 9.10am

    Well said.

  91. winifred mccartney
    Ignored
    says:

    Something about AS story stinks – who leaked to the Daily Retard and how did labour know about this and have statement ready. Wether any truth or not this stinks to high heavens – unionists obviously very very worried and trying to take out best men.

    What happened to Monica Lennon’s allegations of sexual harassment and Anas Sarwar’s racism claims????along with previous leaders swept under the carpet allegations even though he had previous.

    Every time I hear GCC get blasted on media I have to ask why it is never mentioned that this equal pay senario all played out when labour was in power and they did nothing to sort it, indeed took the women through every court to stop them getting equal pay.

    Labour has no shame and certainly no care for any working woman or man.

  92. Tammytroot
    Ignored
    says:

    One of the things I find marvellous about WOS is the wealth of information and education I get from this site,
    Today’s example, the civil service in Scotland is a reserved matter.
    How does that work? Officials of the SG ( like permanent secretaries ) are supposed to advise and implement SG policies but are actually answerable to the WM government?
    Can someone on here enlighten me on the implications, practical consequences?

  93. James Barr Gardner
    Ignored
    says:

    The Daily Ranger now on the same downward track of the Hootsmon.

  94. Iain mhor
    Ignored
    says:

    No surprise re: A.Salmond – as I mentioned in a prior article, it’s how it works. Government Authority accusations are rubber stamped, you never see any evidence and none is produced to enable a defence, let alone justify a prosecution in the first place. There follows multiple court appearances to the detriment of finance, job, reputation etc. Then the case is dismissed/ collapses.
    At least Mr Salmond has some resources to be pro-active. Mist never will. It only takes one admin error, or usually one vindictive employee and you are damned.

  95. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:

    Well, we’ve seen how the Spanish Establishment tries to silence their political adversaries. Stand by for a refresher course in how the grubby British Establishment attempts to smear and destroy the reputation of theirs.

    Hope you can make it to Edinburgh Mr Salmond because I would love to see you right up there at the front of the AUOB march!

  96. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    You have to laugh.

    Someone on the usual suspects website. ‘Neutral’ on Independence. Aye right.

    Claiming they looked like Lady Di. Claims they met Alex Salmond in a gay bar in Edinburgh years ago.

    Hysterical

  97. Giving Goose
    Ignored
    says:

    Re Rhoda Grant.

    I live in the Highlands and I am a voter.
    Rhoda Grant is the Labour list MSP and therefore a potential recipient of a vote from me.

    Needless to say, I deem her to be completely unworthy of my vote.

    I had thought of emailing her, but I won’t bother, so I’ll say it here on Wings.

    What I would say to Rhoda is that she needs to understand that people, the voters, have the capacity and tools to communicate with each other and that, rest assured, we will be communicating our views and feelings regarding her conduct.

    Quite simply, Rhoda will discover that great efforts will be made to spread the word via social media and by word of mouth that she is unsuitable as a representative for the Highlands & Islands.

  98. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    It is documented that Alex can get annoyed and let off stream. Does not suffer fools gladly.

    Brown threw things about and did not speak to Blair.

    Westminster MP’s have harassed staff and each other. Getting away with it. Sent staff out for sex toys etc. Misogynistic, bigoted and racist. The anti Semitic carry on. All accusing one another. The BBC sexism. Unequal payment to staff.

  99. Highland Wifie
    Ignored
    says:

    The establishment knows that this type of ‘misconduct’ is the ‘best’ one to use for smearing precisely because it is so difficult to counter due to the sensitive nature of any allegations and the legitimate concerns of any alleged ‘victims’. Not to mention the insatiable appetite of the general public for this kind of salacious story.

    They know that, despite not being in public office, Alex is still a vital part of the independence movement and a very dangerous one to them. If they can make some mud stick they’re hoping they can neutralise him. They should have a care though.
    Firstly the public has a lot of experience of this type of mud slinging now and knows how it all works. Secondly, in the present climate words like harassment are overused to the point of becoming meaningless, like ‘bullying’ ‘hate speech’ ‘fascism’, they are used to describe behaviour ranging from a mild thoughtless comment to full blown unacceptable behaviour with intent.
    The public know this too. Not stupid.

    I think they may just find they’ve bitten off more than they can chew with AS.
    It’s the old Star Wars scenario “If you strike me down I shall become powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

  100. Bobp
    Ignored
    says:

    Dont believe this story for one minute. Why now 5 yrs later, why not when alex started his rt show. When these allegations prove to be unfounded i just hope decent unionists will come over to Scotlands side when they see the lying corrupt cesspit that westminster is, and that there is nothing so low to which it wont stoop to.

  101. jfngw
    Ignored
    says:

    If a GE occurs in the near future, which seems highly possible, then currently Salmond has been taken out of standing in any seat. At least there has not been any mention of pigs being involved, that is reserved for the higher offices of the UK state.

  102. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    Is anyone on here any clearer on accusations made by Monica Lennon when she said she was groped by a senior male colleague while other colleagues looked on and treated it as a joke?…lack of transparency there because no name given of senior colleague who groped her and which colleagues treated it as a joke.

    Is anyone on here surprised at Labour trying to make political capital from this while what ? Suppressing details of Monica Lennon incident…why would she speak out about what must have been traumatic enough for her to feel compelled to speak out about, considering the inevitable fallout that would/could happen…but mysteriously did not ….so why NOT expand on it by naming names…what IS the point of her stating this and then nothing?

    2013 was lead up to Independence campaign .
    Are we to believe that Alex Salmond would jeapordise this.
    Alex Salmond the most canny of politicians.
    Daily Record….why break this story now ?
    Who leaked story ?
    How could this supposed incident be hushed up for so long…are we to believe no one , either political members from opposing parties or Journalist knew/heard rumours.
    In respect to accusers…why NOT proceed with complaint at time of making accusation?

    To Unionists on twitter who are promoting assumption of guilt in respect to Mr Salmond…I would warn them to be very careful what they say because Alex is a man who will fight for his reputation and screenshots can be made of tweets that are defamatory…so you may think you are having your moment of revenge at his expense…but that moment may turn out to be expensive for you…..

    Lots of unanswered questions…in fact too many.

    I can only concur with other commentators on here and say that I’m with Alex in what must be a most distressing and stressful time for him and his family who my thoughts go out to.Stay strong Alex we are behind you… always.

  103. HandandShrimp
    Ignored
    says:

    Somewhat unwise of Grant and others to weigh in. It seems improbable that they would know anything of the process unless they were in collusion to create the issue in the first place. There is no way that the Head of the Civil Service in Scotland would have shared details with opposition MSPs while not letting the accused see the accusations. If that has happened then serious breaches have occurred and it will be the Civil Servant that has a coat on a shoogly peg. Alex is now retired from politics and unless the accusations are of a criminal nature (which means they should have gone straight to the police and not through the grievance process) then other than to throw mud the process is meaningless.

  104. liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    Aye well the other parties better watch out…
    It’s no just Alex and the SNP the Establishment want gone.
    It’s Holyrood itself!
    It would be mair in their line if they focused on getting the truth out and dealt with no matter what it is!
    Before the Media and the Establishment twist Holyrood in to a den of Sex pests and Paedophiles that Scotland is “encouraged” to get gone!!!
    Because every last one of them is expendable to the Westminster Establishment.
    All Westminster needs is time to do their work..

  105. mumsyhugs
    Ignored
    says:

    As I’ve just commented over on Wee Ginger Dug, maybe Alex is highlighting this as a piece of fake news and effectively spiking their cannon before they can fire it during Indyref 2.

  106. ScottieDog
    Ignored
    says:

    I don’t think I’m being too paranoid by joining all the dots.
    Salmond disturbed the hornets nest that is the BBC aka propaganda wing of the city of London establishment (yes the city of London). The BBC is essentially a right wing Uber-Tory organisation. Its junior branch in Scotland is faux labour I.e – a balirte (essentially right wing) organisatiion with deep links inside Scottish Labour (the blairaty who hate Corbyn).

    They are coming after salmond now as he’s overstepped the mark.

    Down south we see more outrageous comments from so-called labour politicians. I think this is part of the longing establishment attempt to depose Corbyn and get a ‘business as usual’ replacement.
    I don’t think we have seen the last of the millibands.

    The attack on AS shows the advantage of YES being such a broad group. They won’t derail independence.

  107. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    The story surrounding the allegaions against AS just gets weirder and weirder.

    The Scottish Government published advice on the handling of harassment complaints against former ministers less than two hours after allegations against Alex Salmond were made public.

    The former First Minister has launched a court action to contest the complaints process that was activated against him after it was reported that allegations about his conduct towards two staff members in 2013 – while he was in office – have been handed to police.

    Mr Salmond issued a statement embargoed until 10pm on Thursday after he was approached for comment on the story by the Daily Record newspaper.

    The Scottish Government guidance, which was agreed in December 2017 and uploaded onto the internal civil service intranet at that time, was published at 11.40pm on Thursday.

    The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.

    http://archive.fo/K1CUg

    Who was working at that time of night?

    Why couldn’t it wait until this morning as it has been available internally since December last year? I find it all very strange.

  108. Marcia
    Ignored
    says:

    Regarding the former FM and the allegations/smears, one hopes that some anti-independence supporters go a step too far and end up being sued.

  109. Tinto Chiel
    Ignored
    says:

    @Clapper57: Ms Lennon can be seen as a tiresome self-publicist who will do anything for attention, whether it’s piggy-backing on popular SNP policies (free sanitary products) or even publicising her own family’s problems while she was growing up, in a rather embarrassing outburst of sub-Loki behaviour.

    Lots of riddies in the Rid Pairty, innit?

  110. starlaw
    Ignored
    says:

    Regardless of whatever mischief the Brit-nationalists dream up it will not harm Indy, this is the kind of dirty underhand dealings we expect from the low life that run the British establishment.

  111. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Tinto Chiel @ 10.35am

    How right you are Tinto C, she does have form indeed.

    Just read Wee Ginger Dug’s take on AS situation and he has, as usual, adopted appropriate perspective/tone on this. Paul is always fair unlike the “riddies in Rid Pairty”.

    Have a good day sir.

  112. Gfaetheblock
    Ignored
    says:

    Ken500 @ 0915

    That is disgraceful victim blaming. You should be ashamed of yourself.

  113. Dave McEwan Hill
    Ignored
    says:

    The AS affair has no relevance whatsoever to the independence argument so the less attention we give the affair the better.

    The Scottish Government quite properly is not commenting on or trying to influence in the legal process.

    Despite some earlier remarks on here David Clegg’s report in the Record is entirely balanced and comprises mainly of Alex Salmond’s statement in full. The same can not be said of the coverage in other publications.

  114. Fred
    Ignored
    says:

    Meanwhile! yesterday’s man Alex Neil tries to resuscitate his career prospects & will Nicola be safe in Barcelona?

  115. One_Scot
    Ignored
    says:

    To be honest this type of mud slinging and running is all the unionist have left in their case against Scotland becoming Independent.

    It really is a measure of how low, sad and desperate the British State and the BritNat media have become in the void of having anything positive to maintain their corrupt and damaging union.

    It really is time for Scotland to move on from this hate fulled UK and create a better future for all her citizens.

  116. galamcennalath
    Ignored
    says:

    In the world of BritNattery, any opposition will be deemed guilty as soon as accusations arise, thanks to their loyal media. Even if nothing comes out of it, they make sure some mud sticks. Worse, if it does become a police investigation and/or goes to court, even when it has been officially thrown out, the BritNats try to keep a sore which should have healed, festering.

    The only way to deal with it is to face it head on.

  117. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    I’m sure if the FM does go to Barcelona she’ll be quite safe and fine, unlike Theresa May Nicola Sturgeon is very well liked by the EU and the people who count in the EU so Spain would have already been advised in no uncertain terms not to interfere in a head of state visit of this kind

    Notice how I said *Head of State* that really annoys the wannabee English British separatists who the EU and its population don’t particularly care a lot for at the moment

    Politics is so convoluted now isn’t it

  118. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Gfaetheblock says: 24 August, 2018 at 10:53 am:

    “Ken500 @ 0915
    That is disgraceful victim blaming. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

    But then you would say that! Wouldn’t you?

  119. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    While, in the background, the Tories are desperately trying to brainwash the population into believing that Westminster has everything under control and that everything will work out just fine. They are trying to avoid a revolution taking place and the widespread social unrest and disturbance which will follow.

    Never happen? That’s what they said about the Leave vote.

  120. Capella
    Ignored
    says:

    I was actually surprised that the Establishment didn’t use this tactic during Indyref1. I assumed that they have combed through every SNP politician’s private life to find smear material.

    Now it turns out that there is an allegation from 2013. Why didn’t they use it then? Maybe because they were so confident of victory. But now they are confident about nothing except defeat.

    Alex Salmond is a threat to the Establishemnt. That itself could explain any attempt to smear and undermine him. The truth is a precious commodity in UK.

  121. harry mcaye
    Ignored
    says:

    It’s certainly puzzling that we haven’t heard more about the Monica Lennon case, it seemed to fizzle out. However, I don’t think it helps matters for posters on here to make nasty remarks about Ms Lennon. Her accusations were against her own party after all.

  122. donnywho
    Ignored
    says:

    This approach worked well with Julian Assange. The case against him collapsed… but he is now wanted for not responding to a warrant.

    The powers that be have used this before to great effect, so why not now?

    I think that they misunderstand the paranoia of the SNP, they know that the secret services are watching them and will meddle if they can! They know that there are agents within their own ranks. This is not paranoia as it has been proven by release of documents.

    I am not saying Alex is innocent or guilty, that is for the courts to decide. What i am saying is if he did do it, it was monumentally stupid because he knows they are out to get him.

  123. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    What victim? Someone gets an inappropriate text message. Happens every day. Then gets an apology.

    Someone gets to sleep it off.

    A complimentary back handed e-Mail. Takes a screen shot and saves it. For later.

    The rest is just circumstantial. Someone gets an e-Mail or something and ends up of work for six months.

    None of it would stand up in court. Or at a tribunal.

    The Scottish Gov makes claim of allegations of harassment. 5 years ago. Against Alex Salmond. Then Press reports it as sexual harassment.

    Just a stitch up. Just when the BBC was having to apologise for the GERS figures reporting.

  124. Glamaig
    Ignored
    says:

    I think the timing of this AS story is very odd coming directly after his letters to the BBC re Youtube channels being taken down.

    Also I suspect investigative journalism in the UK is far from dead – its just very selectively targeted at troublesome ‘dissidents’, with the stories being stockpiled and released at chosen times.

  125. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    The Ministry of Fear.

  126. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Apart from the fact what the heck has been going on for five years. Where was the investigation. These allegations had better have substance and be credible. Or heads should roll. Why are they not being made public, because they are a load of rubbish. No doubt.

  127. mountain shadow
    Ignored
    says:

    Sorry all, but with these allegations ongoing we simply cannot have another referendum soon and until proceedings have completed.

    Given how long these things normally take, Scotland will have left the EU with the RuK in March 2019 without a 2nd referendum having taking place.

  128. Meindevon
    Ignored
    says:

    I’ve just read the Rev’s twitter feed that explains the role of the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish government.

    I was a bit concerned that he was having a go at the Scottish government which included the snp.

    However, she is no more than a home office civil servant and it sounds like she will be shown to be a spy in the camp doing the wishes of her Westminster masters.

    None of the news reports have made clear about who her bosses really are. Misleading, I think.

  129. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    “I am not saying Alex is innocent or guilty, that is for the courts to decide. What i am saying is if he did do it, it was monumentally stupid because he knows they are out to get him.”
    Donnywho, If we are of the view that Alex is innocent and the victim of a BritNat smear in retaliation for the BBC/YouTube nonsense, then, with no wish to offend, the above comment is crass to say the least. I am hopeful that you have figured that out already.

  130. Les Wilson
    Ignored
    says:

    Capella says:

    Prior to Indy1, Alex Salmond wad demonised by all the media outlets, TV, Newspapers, Blogs.
    Something we should not forget, is what he had to put up with.

  131. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    So they waited five years to make a complaint. These allegations had better be good.

    Nicola is upset. Along with everyone else.

  132. Meg merrilees
    Ignored
    says:

    So some time ago Nicola said she would wait till the terms of Brexit become clear before informing us of her decision on calling a second Indy ref.

    These claims against Alex were lodged in January ( dating back to alleged incidents in 2013) and the investigation has only reached a stage now where the Permanent Secretary for ( against) Scotland feels she has to make it public knowledge. Incidentally, a civil servant who answers to David Liddington, the Cabinet Secretary of the WM government.

    Obviously this will take some months to resolve possibly coming to a head at precisely the time of the October Brexit summit – when we are supposed to find out the deal.

    The media will allow this to overshadow all the news concerning Brexit so far as Scotland is concerned – Scotland which is due to suffer considerably more than more southern parts of the UK – and supposedly put a spanner in the works for Nicola and any plans for indy ref 2.

    Is this a coincidence?

    All these incidents, the WOS you tube takedown; the seizure of the Revs equipment; the GERS misreporting; the lack of coverage on Indy marches and more, are all part of the same strategy to try and divide and conquer.

    We have to keep our eyes on the prize. Don’t let them put you off.

    We most probably will not get to hear the details of this case against Alex but ‘they’ are relying on the notion of …’there is no smoke without a fire’ – and they will milk it.

    There are many Tories, some Lib Dems and quite a few Labour politicians who have had mud slung at them, had to live with dubious accusations and public embarrassment. Some have been guilty and some not. I’m sure there are some serving politicians who at this point in time are guilty but are still in public office.

    Unfortunately Alex is a prized target and has to endure much as we fight for our freedom.

    Let’s all keep a measured tongue, keep the fire burning and keep spreading the truth.
    The truth will win and we will be Independent – soon.

  133. Effijy
    Ignored
    says:

    Let me say it. Alex Salmond is innocent!

    This is exactly what I’ve been expecting the Westminster cabal
    to set up and I also know its just the beginning.

    Westminster we know have undertaken illegal wars at the drop of a hat, we see how they cover up for their pedophile members putting their friends in charge of investigations and delaying matters for years, similar to the Chilcot report were £Millions were wasted over 5 years to reveal Tony Blair is an immoral crook who is let of Scot free.

    Westminster we know were behind the instructions for UDA members to kill suspected IRA members. No evidence or court case required

    We know they had undercover married policemen having sex and babies with suspected Animal Rights Activists.

    We know they stopped providing School milk to children in deprived areas.

    They kill 5 disabled people per week by forcing them through physical test to establish suitability to work.

    We know they have double suicide rates by attacking the vulnerable with benefit cuts, we know that 81% of those severely affected by the Bedroom Tax in England are disabled.

    We know that they want to privatise the NHS.

    There is no crime nor depth of immoral and inhuman act that the Westminster Governments have balked at in recent or past history.

    Slandering one man who is proving too successful at defending his native Scotland is nothing to them.
    I have no doubt they would be happy to arrange an accident if necessary.

    Robbing Scotland over the years of £Billions and feeding it to their rich supporters is never going to stop until we are Independent.

  134. Footsoldier
    Ignored
    says:

    Naturally the BBC website gives AS top billing on UK politics section, an area where Scotland is usually ignored.

  135. Sharney Dubs
    Ignored
    says:

    AS accused ….

    Sexual harassment ……

    If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck…….

    On yersell big man, take them to the cleaners!

  136. Ian McCubbin
    Ignored
    says:

    Surprised they made a retraction.
    Just wondering what’s next

  137. North chiel
    Ignored
    says:

    Has these “ allegations” ( which have been “ in the pipeline”), perhaps had an influence on our outstanding FM as regards further pronouncements / reticence on indyref2 . Although, an autumn “ update” has always been the “ timeframe”. I see no reason whatsoever for today’s “ speculation” to change or delay “ the day of reckoning” for the Westminster Tory government. Albeit a GE could be on the cards? If so let’s hope the SNP makes it a single issue to end the union ( in view of the previous “ now is not the time” prevarication from TM).

  138. Nuggets O'Pish
    Ignored
    says:

    Alec Salmond innocent? This can’t be right. I thought it was common knowledge that he fucked the Labour party.

  139. haudonthenoo
    Ignored
    says:

    Meg said : “These claims against Alex were lodged in January ( dating back to alleged incidents in 2013) and the investigation has only reached a stage now where the Permanent Secretary for ( against) Scotland feels she has to make it public knowledge. Incidentally, a civil servant who answers to David Liddington, the Cabinet Secretary of the WM government.”

    Wasn’t the obnoxious Liddington in Scotland yesterday ?

  140. haudonthenoo
    Ignored
    says:

    Indeed Mr Lidington was in Edinburgh yesterday. What a splendid coincidence.

  141. Dan Huil
    Ignored
    says:

    Well well well… what a surprise. This is exactly the kind of britnat move we’ve been expecting. This is a clear sign of britnat desperation IMO. And a clear sign things are about to get very serious.

    I would argue that now is the time, regardless of the AS issue, for the SNP to get seriously radical in its fight with Westminster. There is now no point [if there ever was] in playing by Westminster’s rules.

  142. Gfaetheblock
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Peffer @11.22

    Yes I would, thank you. Seems the FM’s statement takes a similar tone, a really balanced comms.

  143. SOG
    Ignored
    says:

    So who told the Record? I’ll bet the Permanent Secretary is investigating thoroughly. How many of her staff needed to know?

    Does anyone else recall Paddy Ashdown’s fall? As his star was rising there was a break-in at his solicitor’s office and a safe was opened. Personal papers made their way to the MSM.

    If Alex needs help, I’ll join any crowdfund.

  144. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    In light of the statement by the Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans today I have doubts as to whether the allegations made against Alex Salmond have been brought to the attention of Police Scotland.

    “I informed Mr Salmond and the people involved on Wednesday, August 22 of my conclusions and that I was considering the public interest in making the fact of the complaints and investigation publically known.”

    http://archive.fo/jtft4

    The only mention of police involvement was by the Daily Record who broke the story and how reliable will that prove to be?

  145. Gary45%
    Ignored
    says:

    Regarding Mr Salmond, expect reporting Shortbread and GM Shortbread to go into “whitenoise” meltdown.
    Another story to take the eye away from the “austerity murdering Tories.”
    Mr Salmond could find the cure for cancer and the Empire Media wouldn’t bother their arse broadcasting it.
    Simples.

  146. Dave McEwan Hill
    Ignored
    says:

    mountain shadow at 12.22

    Nonsense. Utter nonsense.
    What have these allegations got to do with the case for independence?
    Nothing whatsoever.

  147. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Gfaetheblock says: 24 August, 2018 at 1:23 pm:

    ” … Robert Peffer @11.22
    Yes I would, thank you. Seems the FM’s statement takes a similar tone, a really balanced comms.”

    Balanced? There was nothing balanced about your comment – there never is. I cannot recall any comment from you that was other than pro union or anti-independence. Can you show otherwise?

  148. Meg merrilees
    Ignored
    says:

    Marie Clark… why Alex, why now?

    I was driving home listening to Radio Shortbread as the 6.00 pm news broke. Of course Alex was headline news and the tone of the report was trying to be neutral but it’s not what is said but what is unsaid that makes it so invidious.

    Alex is taking the Scottish government to Court – but no mention of the Permanent Secretary being a civil servant, in hock to WM and working under The Cabinet Secretary.

    It was the tone of the more detailed item, after the headlines – Sarah Smith was in charge and she read out a resume of Alex’s career along the lines of ( these are my words):

    Alex Salmond was a great politician, revered by his followers and respected by his opposition but recently he has been mired in controversy with his show on RT. Even Nicola Sturgeon has advised her ministers to refuse to appear on the show because of it’s dodgy connections ( my words) and now this latest accusation will finish him off… what a shame.

    I hasten to repeat these are my words summing up the BBC’s pronouncement but it most certainly does not imply Alex is innocent till proven guilty, and I as I said above it is more what they don’t say rather than what they actually say that makes this whole business so sordid.

    Nicola is a consummate politician and excellent lawyer – she will handle this.
    Alex is the personification of ‘nemo me impune laces sit’ and as he said before –
    ye havnae heard the last of my bonnet and me…

    I’m truly sorry he and his close family and friends have to endure this. Mandela was jailed for decades; Catalan ministers are in jail as we speak; those who lead their countries to freedom have to be bold and brave. History shows us this:

    Look what happened to William Wallace (yesterday was the anniversary of his execution);

    Scotland will be free, we will become Independent and the WM cabal is getting truly desperate.

    This is the Government which has recently been accused of bugging the EU side of the Brexit talks FFS – they will stoop lower yet and the more successful someone is within the Indy movement, the more dirt will be shovelled on them.

    Is there any news today of the Brexit documents that have explained just how bad a no deal Brexit could be?

    I imagine there will be champagne corks being popped tonight by those who think they have dished up enough dirt to cause the Alex Salmond ship to sink taking with it the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon but they really do not know their ‘enemy’.

    This will not stop us – we can show them that with the Indy march in Edinburgh.

  149. Gfaetheblock
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Peffers

    Dude, chill. Look at mt comment at 09.12 on this very thread. Tell me how that is anti independence?

    Look at ken500 comments and tell me how they are peo independence.

  150. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Meg Merrilees @ 7.45pm

    Meg, well bloody said.

  151. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ harry mcaye @ 11.39am

    Harry , yes you have a point she dobbed in one of her ain party.

    However on Friday evening 24 August on Scottish news report she said to camera “SNP should suspend Alex salmond”.

    Yep suspend Alex but NOT senior Labour colleague who groped her!

    Sorry but if her position is that someone, from a rival party, should be suspended because of accusation then why should someone who she accuses as having groped her NOT be suspended or investigated indeed brought to account for what was clearly sexual harassment. So suggest Ms Lennon is being somewhat hypocritical and once again the media too for not highlighting in same report her past accusation on a colleague !

    If you are read this Harry I am not attacking you so hope you will not be offended by my comment I am simply pointing out that people like Ms Lennon has form in being duplicitous and like all of her colleagues never fails to be opportunistic when sees a situation that they can take advantage of.

    Have a good day Harry.

  152. Bob Costello
    Ignored
    says:

    I think many of the people on this thread are missing a very important point . There is no deficit and no evidence that can be attributed to the GERS figures that shows that an independent Scotland would have a deficit. The worrying thing is that Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP do not seem to realise this and persist in giving credence to these ridiculous figures. Another point is that if Nicola sturgeon actually said this then what she has in mind is the continuance of Tory austerity policies and this is actually alluded to in the economic commission report . A report ,by the way that I have extreme reservations on.



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