An innocent man
Today a mostly-female jury drawn from the most Unionist city in Scotland and directed by a female judge delivered the only verdict it was credibly possible to reach on the (total absence of) evidence before it: that Alex Salmond was not guilty of any crime.
After two weeks hearing an assortment of lurid allegations from former friends and colleagues hidden behind cloaks of public anonymity, the jury – having been advised by the prosecuting counsel that they were the sole arbiters of fact – decided that there was no truth to them.
Since the two most serious charges, in particular, were both matters of the accuser’s word against that of the accused, and the two parties gave completely irreconcilable accounts of the facts (rather than competing interpretations of agreed events), it can only be the case that one side was lying absolutely, and the jury decided that it was the anonymous accusers who were doing so.
It remains to see whether there will be a legal reckoning for those lies. But more than one sort of reckoning will surely follow from these events.
Because to the surprise of many Yessers who considered the whole trial a Unionist conspiracy, it transpired that in fact every accusation had come from people who’d been on Alex Salmond’s own team – either his political colleagues or his staff.
The Scottish Government and the notionally-Scottish civil service had first colluded on a private investigation which was both so ham-fisted and so unlawfully biased that it collapsed in a shambles which has cost the Scottish taxpayer over £600,000.
Even the Times – no cheerleader for Alex Salmond by a very long chalk – was so appalled at the flagrant crookedness of the proceedings that it called for the head of Leslie Evans, permanent secretary to the Scottish Government and the most senior civil servant in Scotland.
Instead, the Scottish Government inexplicably chose to not only uphold but extend her contract – a decision which is ultimately made by the First Minister of Scotland.
It is at Nicola Sturgeon’s personal discretion that Leslie Evans remained in her post and indeed received a further endorsement, leading to widespread mutterings that Evans, in the common parlance, must surely “know where the bodies are buried”.
The fact that Evans’ catastrophically botched and dishonest inquiry did not, in the end, bring about the imprisoning of an innocent man for perhaps the rest of his life is one of the few meagre positives of this entire fiasco. But the ordeal which Alex Salmond has been forced through for the last several years is one which someone, or several someones, ought in any fair society to be made answerable for.
(I have some small sense myself of the stresses both of a high-profile and terrifyingly expensive court case and of being wrongfully arrested on wholly fictional harassment allegations, and what Alex Salmond has endured is orders of magnitude greater, so I both empathise and admire his fortitude. Costs are not awarded in criminal trials so even as a completely innocent man he stands financially ruined by his enormous legal bill, certain to be hundreds of thousands of pounds.)
That this trial ever reached a court is a gravely worrying matter. Allegations of serious sexual assault must always be taken seriously and investigated fully, but what the trial revealed is that not a shred of evidence supported any of the charges in the case.
Scots law uniquely requires corroboration, and despite several of the alleged offences supposedly occurring in full public view in locations thronged with people, not a solitary witness observed any of them. The Crown’s only hope of securing a prosecution was therefore to rely on the enormously disturbing “Moorov doctrine”, a 90-year-old facet of Scots law whereby the prosecution collecting sufficient unproven innuendos together somehow magically transforms them into solid evidence.
In order to avail itself of this sorcery, the prosecution trawled three decades of Alex Salmond’s political life at both Westminster and Holyrood, interviewing close to 400 people, and managed to scrape up a derisory handful of allegations – all but one from a four-year period between 2010 and 2014, the exception being from 2008 – of such startling triviality that many observers found themselves unable to believe such things could ever be considered crimes.
(The nadir being the claim that Salmond had “pinged” a colleague’s curly hair in a lift, in the presence of at least one other person.)
Not all of the allegations made it as far as the court, with several – including some which had been the subject of prominent media coverage – being quietly dropped prior to or during the trial, presumably on the grounds of being too laughable.
But jurors were asked to believe that women Alex Salmond had known for many years, and who occupied senior roles in politics, were too terrified to object when he touched their leg in a car during a 30-second journey (despite there being a large fixed armrest between them which would have made such an act impossible without it being very obvious to the other people in the car).
They were also asked to accept that it amounted to criminal behaviour corroborating an attempted-rape charge to recount to an adult woman an anecdote about the sexual misadventures of a well-known Scottish political journalist from the Herald newspaper, even though the “victim” had by all accounts gleefully repeated the same story to her own colleagues the next day.
Jurors were also asked to believe that a string of women who’d had a powerful man sexually assault or attempt to rape them elected not to report this extremely serious matter to the police, but to get together with some senior SNP officials and store up the allegations for use in case Salmond ever attempted to return to politics.
And by a remarkable coincidence the allegations duly came to light in August 2018 – shortly after he’d signalled that intent, in May of the same year:
It wasn’t until Alex Salmond successfully sued the Scottish Government over Leslie Evans’ shambolic inquiry that the police were informed of the claims and became involved, which cynical readers might interpret as less a cry for justice than an attempt to deflect attention from the collapse of the inquiry and its crooked nature.
Remarkably, despite Alex Salmond having been a politician for over 20 years and First Minister for more than seven, there wasn’t a single allegation from all his time at Westminster. There wasn’t one allegation from a member of the public, nor from any of the many female journalists who’d interviewed him alone in hotel rooms and the like.
Every single accuser came from a very small circle within the SNP, or civil servants very closely connected to that circle – a circle at whose centre sit Nicola Sturgeon and Leslie Evans. We must note that no evidence directly links the First Minister to the events of the case, just as no German government document from 1939 to 1945 exists which explicitly connects Adolf Hitler to the Holocaust.
Readers may or may not draw their own conclusion from those facts.
The Scottish media, it probably goes without saying, covered itself in disgrace during the trial. Reports from the courtroom were extraordinarily selective, and always selective in favour of the same side. This site was fortunate in having sources very close to the case to relate what had really happened and what the media had left out.
(Again I can confirm from my own personal experience during the Kezia Dugdale case that this is a modus operandi for the Scottish press rather than a coincidence.)
Observers suspected of harbouring sympathies for the defence side rather than the prosecution side were simply excluded from the court for most of the proceedings. Fortunately the jury heard what the Scottish public were not told.
This included details of the most unfathomable and worrying occurrence of the trial – the evidence of a celebrity present at a Bute House dinner on the evening of the most serious charge, the attempted rape of Woman H.
The media reported that the celebrity remembered Woman H being at the dinner, based on video of a police interview with him during the investigation.
The reality was that his recollection was far more vague and equivocal (and also contradicted Woman H’s evidence in several ways), but he was not called as a witness to be cross-examined by the defence. This site finds it quite extraordinary that such a piece of potentially key evidence should be ruled admissible without the possibility of scrutiny, and is yet to hear any explanation of why that would be the case.
The fact that the celebrity is in isolation over the coronavirus would not prevent evidence by video link, for example. But if such an arrangement is not possible then it seems wildly improper that the evidence would be allowed to stand, particularly given that a witness who said Woman H was NOT at the dinner – flatly contradicting the celebrity’s supposed account – WAS robustly and extensively cross-examined and had her evidence challenged.
We could spend several thousand words going over the holes in each of the individual charges, and the facts revealed about them in court which were never conveyed to the public by a media more intent on keeping up a constant stream of shock-horror headlines covered by the tiny figleaf of quotemarks.
There are additional deeply concerning facts about the case which even now we’re not certain we’re at liberty to reveal. We’ll tell you whatever we can establish we’re legally able to. Either way more details are likely to emerge in the coming days, weeks and months, though perhaps the coronavirus crisis will serve as a grim distraction to spare some blushes.
But let there be no mistake – while justice was done in the end, the events surrounding the trial of Alex Salmond are murky and dirty and suspicious in the extreme, from the highest levels all the way down, and it will be the gravest injustice imaginable if nobody pays a price for them. Only time will tell if that’s the case.
What we know for sure is that Alex Salmond walks away from the court a free man without a stain on his character, found innocent of even the least of the accusations against him. What he chooses to do next with that freedom is something this site will watch with very keen interest.
Excellent news! 🙂
Thank goodness for that, I’m so pleased.
Sturgeon is a treacherous self-serving venal cunt.
She has to go, as does her husband and the fat banker.
Innocent until proven innocent but I think Ecks problem was/is he’s a naturally touchy-feely type of chap. Anyhoo, great news.
Jings! Sarah Smith chewing a wasp on BBC Auntie live news.
She says “He will always be remembered for this trial in spite of all he has done” FGS!
Mr Salmon. Spoke well outside the court. 🙂
Awesome – I’m so chuffed for him, but despair at this ever coming to court!!
It’ll be interesting to see what the next developments are!
Did you do a ‘guilty’ version too Stu?
Evans should be the first to answer for her crimes
Feeling quite emotional. Could only hope and thank goodness, sense has prevailed.
What a bunch of absolute c*nts that coven have been seen to be. Roll on the exposing of them all.
I couldn’t be more pleased. I hope heads roll and that AS comes back with a vengeance.
Very good Stuart and I’ll be interested to see what happens anent Craig Murray. Interesting times as they say.
Could not be more thrilled for Alex.
Absolutely fantastic news, this must have been an unfathomable strain and the fact that this was done to him by those known to him as part of his staff is disgraceful. There must be a reckoning both with these liars and also with the wider network in which they operate. Time to clean house.
I am over the moon for Alex but unbelievably angry that he had to endure what must have a torturous time for him and his family, I know it’s early days but by god I pray everyone complicit in this stitch up receives their due punishment and nothing could top that more than to see the real leader of Scotland back where he belongs.
Best news I’ve heard since the possibility of the wings party. I am so pleased for the big man. Though , it does leave the question who the fuck was driving this? Thanks Stu and Craig for your continuing support to the cause and justice .
callmedave says:
23 March, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Jings! Sarah Smith chewing a wasp on BBC Auntie live news.
That hateful woman couldn’t help herself, could she?
I switched over after a few seconds of the drivel she was spewing out.
The only verdict possible. Time for a Scottish version of J’Accuse perhaps?
Well done Rev. Must’ve been hard, biting your tongue all this time. You and Craig Murray and Grousey and a stack of others deserve huge credit for being real friends to the man.
A truly memorable day.
Hoots and hoots again!!!
😉
Brilliant. Just wonderful.
Mike d. Excellent news, get back into politics Alex Scotland needs you now more than ever.
I often wondered why Leslie Evans wasn’t sacked, but it didn’t necessarily mean that Nicola Sturgeon approved of her actions. The media always says that she, personally, chose Evans for the role. What they rarely mention is that, I believe, she was chosen by the FM from a short-list provided by the UK Civil Service. Maybe it was a case of keeping the one she knew rather than having worse foisted on her.
Disappointed at you having a dig at Nicola, Rev. I would have thought that you would have understood it to be inappropriate for Nicola to comment on a live court case. We don’t know what her private thoughts are on the matter.
I am so pleased.I was nervous today so I can’t imagine how he and his family felt.
There should be some immediate resignations or sackings.
Of the ones we’re allowed to mention Ian McCann of the NEC needs booted out and now.
The arrogance of these people, they’ve been getting away with shite for ages, today it comes right back at them
Hi Stu, thanks for the update.
One of my long-time Unionist and Rangers supporting friends has already replied to me on FB saying it was a ‘Not Proven verdict which is like saying he’s guilty as sin but we just can’t prove it’.
He’s an otherwise intelligent bloke. :o(
I had a couple of interesting discussions over this case before it came to court. The first was with a former trade unionist who informed me that he had asked a senior SNP MP what was going on, “It’s nonsense” said the MP, “Alex is a bit of a lech but that’s all”.
The other one was with an SNP councillor who knows Salmond well. “Alex is a shagger, not a rapist” was his take, “these allegations are rubbish”.
Now I can’t comment as to the content or validity of these statements, and I have kept quiet about them until now for obvious reasons.
I shall not reveal the names of these individuals so don’t bother asking.
I thought he was very statesman-like
outside the court. I was interested in the evidence that will see the light of day. A return to mainstream politics surely.
Some very welcome news in dark times. Change will have to come and it’s high time.
I am delighted that justice has been done, finally. I think it is telling that most of the jurors were women, who might have entered the jury room with a sceptical mind. For women to clear him of all charges tells me everything I need to know. These women should now be answerable for what they’ve done!
Why to go Alex, congrats, thank god common sense has prevailed.
Now what do we do with the nest of vipers?
Whatever you decide you have my full support.
You and young Campbell too! Smiley face!
Great day!!
Sturgeon and her coven are now on notice.
Get yer litigious breeks on, Alex.
This is good news! Glad to hear Alex Salmond has been vindicated.
I’m So happy for Alex. I met him once in Stornoway in Lewis 2009 Homecoming year. I couldn’t be happier today hearing this news. Take care Alex
Great news. I’m guessing we all know who the celeb is? His Twitter confirms that he is indeed in self-isolation. Used to be I wouldn’t hear a bad word said against Sturgeon. Not any more. She has to go. She’s also not going to be forgiven for not locking down Scotland by now.
sad to watch this site and the comments of it’s readers sink further and further into the gutter. The bubble has definitely burst…
Christ almighty! Who needs the likes of Gordon Brown and his co-conspirators or their ilk when we have garbage like this from our own camp:
“We must note that no evidence directly links the First Minister to the events of the case, just as no German government document from 1939 to 1945 exists which explicitly connects Adolf Hitler to the Holocaust.” A new low.
I suspect some folks are going to have to break in to that pile of toilet rolls they’ve been hoarding! Gaun yersel’ Alex – let rip!
Get these media scum sued big time Alex. They thought they had you stitched up.
This is without a doubt the best news I have heard or read since 2014. I did not doubt for one minute that Alex was being set up, he was only too aware that he was being scrutinised by every MSM in Scotland & beyond to ever give them a free run at him.. He has always been a man of morals and decency in my opinion. And now he had been vindicated, I hope that he starts his own INDEPENDENCE party, because we have been led down many MANDATES by the present party & especially it’s leadership. I want to see Alex back where he belongs, leading the charge once again to free Scotland of the BUFFOONS in WM..
Gwan yersel.
Time to route out the gang of careerist chancers pushing their toxic identity politics agenda.
“What we know for sure is that Alex Salmond walks away from the court a free man without a stain on his character, found innocent of even the least of the accusations against him.”
and yet some online ARE attempting to stain his character – “mud sticks” “only got off because of corroboration rules” and of course this quote from a Severin/Libby piece in the Guardian –
“The not proven verdict on sexual assault with attempt to rape stops short of a finding of not guilty but leaves the accused innocent in the eyes of the law.”
This is wonderful news for Alex and all his family especially his wife Moira and I send my love and very best wishes to all of them .
Stuart , A very big thank you to you and all the folk in Scotland who have believed in Alex’s innocence all along. .
Great news
Even better listening to smith trying to make it a “no smoke without fire” he had an affair
Ha ha
BBC a total disgrace
Police Scotland what were you doing???? Sleeping
I have every faith in pc plod but the officers in charge of the investigation should be investigated – over the last 30 years
Ha ha unionists choke on it
jing’s was nicola a witness
WONDERFUL! So there actually IS light at the end of the tunnel. WHAT A RELIEF!
Very pleased to hear this. It would have been a complete injustice to find A S guilty on the weakness of those wholly uncorroborated allegations. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.
Interested to see if A S goes after some, hopefully all, his accusers in the Civil Courts. More of the murky details would see the light of day in that event. Looking forward to what transpires.
I’m so pleased, this was the correct verdict in my opinion. Reading Craig Murray and Philip Sim’s tweets from the court, I was a bit gobsmacked that some of the charges had made it into court.
Anyway sources close to Mr Salmond (whover they might be) have said that he is considering a political comeback. I hope he does.
There must be a few folks in the SNP who will not rest easy in their beds now. They should all be made to pay for this.
I really feel for Alex Salmond and his wife Moira, what an ordeal to put any through for the sake of political shenanigans. Shameful.
It’ll be all coronavirus this and that from the usual suspects over the next few days.nothing to see here move along
Haven’t commented for a while. Nothing to comment on.
This news is bloody brilliant. A ray of sunshine in a terrible time. As an SNP member of long standing heads MUST roll.
And Leslie Evans must go. And soon.
P.S. My very best wishes to Mr and Mrs Salmond.
YAABAADAABAADOOO!!!!
Fkg delighted.
Clearly Stu by the speed at which you delivered this you either you had a lot of faith in both Alex or the Justice system or both. That said from a wider perspective I am pleased he has arrived the victor but equally he must consider himself rather stupid to be even in this position. It will be equally interesting to see how the BBC spin this to cast doubt on the verdict. Finally I must say I agree with the previous comment I don’t think Nicola had any other option but to roll with this. She would have been crucified by the media otherwise.
As someone who never liked AS (smug b…tard) I have to agree with the verdict.
There was absolutely no credible evidence put forward by the prosecution.
Beflox.why were you raging at the verdict?.
I’m really happy AS has been cleared.
As for defending Sturgeon, she orchestrated this from about 2015/16
And the woman is still in a job to 2022 !!!
Absolutely delighted!
If Scotland is to move on, despicable bureaucrats such as Sturgeon & Evans must surely be purged.
To object to a former colleagues return is understandable given the competitive nature of politics but then to collude in order to have that person prosecuted for wicked crimes he never committed, reaches depths of evil I never imagined in our Scottish Government.
Salmond leaves court with his honour intact but if he chooses to return to court to meet Sturgeon & Evans, his honour will remain.
I assume both these woman are now busy conferring with each other & with legal experts in preparation of having the mud they threw come back at them in a fierce wind of deserved retribution.
And there will be many willing to fund it.
Count me in.
Vestas @3.10 I find it very difficult Not to agree with your assertions!
For the sake of the Independence movement … Get Sturgeon out!!!
Well done rev for your excellent posts as always!
AS will always be the Saviour of Scotland in my home.
Now, get out there and finish what you started, Eck!
[…] Wings Over Scotland An innocent man Today a mostly-female jury in the most Unionist city in Scotland delivered the only […]
“There are additional deeply concerning facts about the case which even now we’re not certain we’re at liberty to reveal. ”
Excellent article Stu.
Alex Salmond referred to those facts, and said they’d see the light of day at a later date.
Now we know for sure, why Sturgeon et al wanted rid of Salmond, now begins a fight for the heart and soul of the SNP, and ultimately independence, Sturgeon and her nefarious acolytes must be toppled and removed from the SNP.
Even now in victory Salmond showed his statesmanship by telling the gathered together press to look out for each other during these very difficult and trying times.
Post Covid-19, we’ll await Salmonds return to the political fold, and the unseating of those who stand in the way of Scottish independence.
Great news in an Orwell Ian world
Great news for a man who dedicated his life to Scotland. One thing is sure that many people, reporters and media buffs will now be shitting themselves, and I hope the do.
Very happy for Alex and his family, they must have been through hell. I hope those who instigated this are exposed, no matter who they are, and made to pay a heavy price.
I see some twitter accounts dismayed at the verdicts, they are basically hinting he is still guilty despite being cleared. Hope he sues them.
Apparently you should not be able to challenge evidence in court if you are charged with a sexual assault, you are guilty by default.
Finally some much needed good news.
Never trust the UK media.
It would seem one of the main bits of evidence in Salmond’s favor was the witnesses who said they the woman accusing of most serious allegation, was ever at said dinner.She wasn’t there at all, the time.
That alone was more than enough to acquit.
However, from what other ppl have been saying, while he is obviously pleased, he is also raging mad!
It appears this has had more to do with political differences over things like the approach to Independence, and that will in the end come out into the open.
I also can’t help but wonder, if /when we get a new political Party of Independence, it will have Alex Salmond in it?
But guess that side of things is a bit too early to think about just now.
Anyhow, I certainly welcomed this verdict.
Let’s not forget that slimy bastard at the Herald and his evil and sick photo montage with wee Jamie Bulger. He’s another twisted shitebag who shouldn’t have a job by close of play today.
MURRELL ?
Well, I think we have the man to head up the new Wings party.
Best news ever.
This piece must’ve been burning a hole in the Revs pocket!
Vestas , Hear , hear ,I honestly feel that NS should either step down as FM or be removed by the membership , as her involvement and collusion with Evans is glaring in the extreme
Not only in the first instance costing the Scottish Public over £600,000 in a dismal court case which was publicly commented on and ridiculed by the judiciary
Now how much has been spent and WASTED on a deliberate and scurrilous attempt to SMEAR AND DESTROY the character , honesty and integrity of a man who is considered to be pivotal in our fight for independence and is more importantly considered to be a incorruptible threat to the union
I sincerely hope that justice and karma has a plan for retribution on people who deliberately collude with others in character assassinations
And I would hope that AS becomes exceedingly wealthy through suing individuals and organisations for their biased manipulative views and opinions
lothianlad says:
23 March, 2020 at 3:53 pm
“Vestas @3.10 I find it very difficult Not to agree with your assertions!
For the sake of the Independence movement … Get Sturgeon out!!!
Well done rev for your excellent posts as always!”
I don’t use language like that lightly.
As is the case with some of you I’m aware of information which isn’t (yet) in the public domain – and amy never be unless someone publishes it in an offshore jurisdiction.
All I can say to the Sturgeon supporters is :
“Try not to be a fucking idiot all of your lives eh?”
I’ve been waiting all morning for news hoping for the best. Thank goodness he has been found innocent. Apart from Alex I feel tremendous sympathy for his wife, that she has been put through this ordeal is just awful and has probably impacted on both of their health.
My greatest wish now would be for him to return to politics and wipe the floor with them all.
Keep us informed, as far as you can. I hope he sues the living daylights out of them, especially Neil Mackay and the Herald.
Whilst NS can run a devolved govt AS can free a nation
@ Mike d I’m not.
Thank heaven it is over and AS is proved innocent. It has been a terrible time for him and harrowing for his family.
What a statesman though outside the court more concerned about Coronavirus and people staying safe. Hope he has great rest and celebration.
Hugely relieved and absolutely delighted justice has been done. In all the gloom of the coronavirus this a bright bit of light. Hugely relieved for Alex the courts and the jurors that they can all go home and stay safe. Hope nobody contracted anything over this whole farcical process.
English/British nationalist media desperately disappointed Alex Salmond is acquitted. All the MSM smears didn’t work. Now the English/British nationalist media are desperately trying [for the millionth time] to say the SNP is doomed. Aye, right.
The SNP will soon be free again to vigorously pursue independence.
My thoughts and prayers are with the UK media at this sad time.
Time for clear out of the dishonest weirdos in the SNP from the top downward
Huge relief to all Scottish patriots. There was a bit of a smell from the case from the beginning.
An independent enquiry is now required before we start attacking people. When the enquiry reports we must take action against any individuals or group of individuals who have been found to be guilty of any conspiracy.
Only when we have cleared out the rubbish may we seriously move forward to independence with Mr Salmond playing a leading roll.
Time to name names.
Excellent news, just the person to head up a WINGS list party in 2021.
This whole affair has been a disgrace. At the heart of this there must be considerable malice, not just political jealousy. Any illusion that we lived in a decent wee democracy has been blown out of the water.
To say that I am disappointed is putting it mildly. Anyone who doesn’t address the profound implications about what happened in bringing this case to court is being obtuse. A bomb has just gone off in the governing party. To pretend that this is all just about one man is being naive.
Thank goodness for a jury and a trial judge who were prepared to reach a verdict based on evidence rather than the lies and smears of the unionist press. I hope this decision sparks the following actions:
– The identities of all the accusers are immediately made public.
– Charges of perjury are brought against the accusers where possible.
– A formal enquiry is commenced into why this case was allowed to come to court. Who sanctioned it and why?
– Those of the accusers in public office or employed by the SNP should be sacked immediately and their pension rights reviewed.
– AS should personally sue every one of the accusers for as much as he can.
– AS should also consider whether he can sue sections of the media for their lies and biased and misleading coverage of events.
– Sturgeon and her cabal should resign and elections for a new leadership team held urgently. AS to be allowed to stand as a candidate for leader of the SNP if he so wishes.
We need AS as soon as he can recover his strength.
There appears to be some on this site who just let their bellies rumble, already throwing accusations around without the slightest bit of evidence.Thank god they’re not in politics or if they are, should be drummed out immediately.
My own assertion to the not permissible evidence being allowed is that the media/press were involved. Hence the removal of certain journalists from proceedings & initially the selection of few.
Fan & excreta to be expected?
Ding Dong the wicked stitch (up) is dead!
Rejoicing reading this too…
link to twitter.com
This is a GOOD day for Scotland!!! YAAASSSSS!
Now if Wings and AS were to get their heads together and found a new pro Indy party, I’d have a political home worth giving my money to.
link to thenational.scot
Good. Clear out those who have been feart to fight for Scotland’s independence.
Now that character assassination has failed he had better watch his back for when they try the real thing.
BRILLIANT news!
Like us all I’m absolutely delighted at the verdict, should never have come to court.
But I will wait till Alex tells us what really happened before I make any judgements wrt to Nicola Sturgeon.
Divide and rule is so fucking old, don’t fall for it.
Leslie Evans is UK gov, Westminster, so girfuy hyfud.
totally vindicated Miss Evans and the civil service needs to be fully investigated in all of this The Scottish civil Service had it in for him as London still saw him as a real danger to the union … totally orchestrated from London
@K1 well said buddy this is what London wants and you are falling into the trap
Well how wonderful is that!
I think we have the leader of the new independence party of Wings over Scotland , ably reported by the Rev , Craig and Grouse!
What a team.
I am so pleased for Alex Salmond . I have been worried by his wee exhausted face throughout this ridiculous affair.
I am surprised the lady judge did not query the legitimacy of the whole prosecution procedure – maybe she did and we will never know.
I am so very delighted.
Alex is a free man. His reputation has been restored. Repeat. Restored. No-one has a right to besmirch his reputation with these accusations.
Am looking forward to seeing reparations being made by pundits and by media outlets… and Alex back at work.
Nice to see you back too Stu…
Just hope bridges can be built quickly, because independence is at issue here, moreso the egos.
The evidence in this case was more ‘Never Mind The Quality Feel The Width’, with many trivial events raised to serious accusations.
Another aspect to this that shouldn’t be overlooked. The anonymous accusers using what the jury deemed to be false rape & sexual assault claims for political purposes is sickening. Obviously making it harder for genuine victims and accusers to get justice in future. About as low as it gets on many levels. Disgusting.
Not a peep of congrats from Sturgeon to Salmond on her twitter. Sats a lot I think.
link to mobile.twitter.com
OK, now for Eck to take charge of the Independence movement and take us out of the BritNazi eugenics cesspit in a few months.
Leave Nicola to chew wasps and take care of the “day job” she’s so fond of.
For her cohort of woke fanatics: now is not the time.
Karma.
Breeks says:
23 March, 2020 at 4:23 pm
“Rejoicing reading this too…
link to twitter.com
This is a GOOD day for Scotland!!! YAAASSSSS!”
From the tweet :
“I am sure the complaints manager and CEO would welcome an independent review….”
Oh that’s GOT to hurt…. 🙂
” Bradford Millar says:
23 March, 2020 at 4:34 pm
totally vindicated Miss Evans and the civil service needs to be fully investigated in all of this The Scottish civil Service had it in for him as London still saw him as a real danger to the union … totally orchestrated from London”
Try not to be a complete moron for all of your life.
NOBODY but the Sturgeon loyalists are buying that for a second. Not even SNP MPs believe it!
“Did you do a ‘guilty’ version too Stu?”
No, I did not.
So much for the flotsam and jetsam or put another way the mugs who would face the consequences if the wheels came off this sordid ploy. So who are these mugs who accepted the tempters shilling, in court, they were hidden away behind screens but it won’t be long before their identity is known, for let’s be grateful for the internet for there will be people beyond the reach of Scottish Courts who will tell us all, despite Covid-19?
Oh, it’s going to be a wondrous sight the day The Shit Hits the Fan. As for Sarah Smith and all her yoon journalists and broadcaster mates they should go now, they lost credibility years ago this is just the final confirmation.
A way back at the outset I said that Alex’s false accusations had the nasty smell of the trumped-up charges against him like those against Charles Stewart Parnell in 1890/91. A plot masterminded by the ‘London Anti Irish Establishment’ who were indeed the murky sludge at the bottom of the Westminster sewage barrel then and now.
Absolutely fantastic news.
Pity you felt it necessary to draw a comparison between Nicola Sturgeon and and the Nazi regime. I’m well aware of your thoughts about her but that was a step too far.
Brilliant news! I always believed Alex was innocent and that this was a stitch up. But there was still a niggling doubt whether a jury would find him not guilty. Common sense has prevailed.
Well done Alex and his legal team. I look forward to the conspirators being sued for defamation. He said at the door of the court that he would wait until the present crisis was manageable. How typically statesmanlike.
Revenge is a dish best eaten cold.
Thomas Ross QC on John Beatty just now says jury reached the wrong verdict: so many accusations means he MUST be guilty.
I bet he’s a Rangers supporter.
Brilliant, BRILLIANT news!! Congratulations to ra Fish!
Get Sturgeon ou!!!
Recall our MPs back from Westshit immediately – use Corona as an excuse if you have to. They have proven to be useless. I reckon half of them are closet Yoons. The one that wanted to be Speaker for sure. We need a total clear out.
Good to see you back with a great post Stu.
Like many delighted that the verdict was in AS favour as I couldn’t believe the many charges that were brought.
Anyway we know the reasons why.
Good to see Joanne Cherry’s statement posted up thread by Breeks.
We live in interesting times and we will have to see how all this will develop post Coronavirus.
So pleased.
Now he waits, the conspirators start sweating, revenge will be served cold.
The Moorov doctrine is very dubious indeed. It would seem to invite collusion between witnesses.
However, for the prosecution, it can be a double-edged sword as might have happened in the case here. I recounted on a previous thread, a court case observed by the journalist, Murray Ritchie, some twenty five years ago, in which blatant collusion in the evidence given by six members of the constabulary was so ridiculously obvious, that the jury punished the prosecution by finding the accused not guilty, to the immense chagrin of the learned gentleman on the bench.
It was what was going on during the AS trial at the time which prompted the memory of that article. The writer’s summation on that day in court, was that the jury had a better idea of the true nature of justice than had the Crown prosecution.
It is totally beyond me how this case, which was simply a series of allegations without any corroboration whatsoever could end up in the High Court of Scotland. Questions will be asked of some politicians but even more questions need to be asked of senior civil servants within the Scottish Government and also our Procurator Fiscal Service. The feet of Lesley Evans should not touch the ground before she lands on the pavement outside New St Andrews House. The civil servant who dealt with the Scottish Government Complaints Procedure should follow closely behind, because in my opinion that is where the root of all of this lay in the first instance. The Procurator Fiscal however also needs to be called to account and inform us how this ever got to the High Court.
25 APR 2019
`The Daily Record’s David Clegg, centre, picks up his Political Journalist of the Year gong,
The Record also won Scoop of the Year after Political Editor David Clegg’s sensational revelations about allegations made against former First Minister Alex Salmond secured the award sponsored by the Scottish Newspaper Society.`
there is far to much collusion between politicians ,journalists and the judiciary in Scotland,
politicians need to be seen to keep journalists at arms length,
political journalism in Scotland is a corrupt abomination.
In all the blame allocating, don’t let’s forget Peter Murrell. Ian McCann works for him.
Nicola Sturgeon
1. Implicated in the stitch-up of the previous FM.
2. Pulled all her punches on Brexit/indyref.
3. Allowed the GRA fiasco to cause havoc.
Three strikes and you’re out in baseball. In politics too.
The Scottish Media is an Enemy of the State. (deliberately singular)
It’s a good job we’re a nice, tolerant bunch.
When we win, we can just sack the lot. Every one of them should be accountable for their tractory.
Is Alex Salmond still a member of the SNP?
Excellent news and a full independent investigation into how this ever got anywhere near a trial in the first place needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile 154 new cases and 54 new deaths from Corona virus today in the UK so far
Absolutely delighted with the result. I cannot wait to get these seriously bad apples oot the party and never to be seen again.
Await the dirty smells to ooze into the fresh air…
Felt your anger Stu with this piece and echo it.
Well ? If you are so assured & robust in your accusations that you want guaranteed anonymity (?) then hell slap it into you if you are deemed a liar at the end of this.
Bravery my arse. This was no ‘Me Too’ moment. This never was; as the Great British media of Scotland asserted, a Wienstein moment.
It was a series of fantasist fabrications / possibly politically motivated, but thankfully ‘found out’ by jury of peers.
Lets assign this pish to history !!
I thought nothing could make me happier today, but seeing Sarah Smith’s hate and frustration as she delivered her report explaining that innocent means guilty, had me rolling on the floor in laughter.
Could be the champagne…
I too would like to ask the Procurator Fiscal why this ever came to court , but I am kinda hoping the lady judge has already asked.
Hero!
link to youtube.com
oops,sorry it’s here!
link to youtube.com
link to youtube.com
not all sport has been cancelled due to chronic-virus : this just in
LEXO 13
LYING BSTARSD 0
the desire to stitch-up an “enemy of the people (establishment)”
v
the embarrassingly thin nature of the evidence making the law itself look bad
– and the latter wins, but only because of a jury, of ordinary people, non-experts.
I hope he denies the impulse to “be the better man” and goes all-in, for the jugular, vindictively good-style.
Destroy careers. Run the rats out the party. Sue for damages.
– even perjury – and not even a simple bit of lying, this, but collusion, a plot.
link to youtube.com
Do court-room liars get their anonymity maintained? Note that we all know who woman H is and can guess a few of the rest.
The media, they just can’t let it go – rather than take the beating, the first thing they do is get the women from the rape crisis charity on to tell us all how woman will be afeart of coming forward – as if this has anything to do with the case.
Craig Murray @ 5.24pm
Tee hee!
I’m very pleased to see that my old opponent (never enemy) at Westminster has been cleared of all charges. In over thirty years of knowing him I’ve never heard anyone suggest that Alex might be guilty of any such offence. It is hard to see this as anything other than an organised attempt to ruin his career.
Cui bono?
Rev,
Clearly you knew more than we did about this sordid affair. I assume that has fuEled your anger with the SNP, along with their dragging their heels over Indy 2.
You have put up with much, but like Alex you are clearly exonerated by events.
You remain one of the most insightful political pundits I have ever read. THANKS A MILLION
Elton recently lost his voice…you can bet Alex has’nt!
link to youtube.com
Hay folks in all the stomash let’s not forget some real hero’s here,
The jury, who despite all the pressure, the in’s and out’s, the MSM bull, etc they came to a measured and rational verdict.
Well done, you represented the people of Scotland and one and all were not found lacking.
The people have spoken through you.
Thank you.
Very pleased. I have always admired Alex Salmond and had hoped he was not guilty of the very serious charges that were brought against him. At the same time however we need to recognise that even people we admire can have feet of clay and sadly I could name several people I looked up to who have been found to have abused women. As Gordon Jackson said though something stinks about this case and I hope the source of that smell is uncovered, soon.
Alex Salmond is needed as leader of the SNP.
Does the WM establishment intend putting a 100 year ‘D’ notice on the Alex Salmond proceedings?
Thanks Stu. I’ve just read many things I was unaware of thanks to the inadequacies of the sensationalising, shit stirring, manky minded Brit media.
Meantime, I’m pleased the verdict went his way.
Brilliant news!! Think I’ll take myself oot to the pub th’night for a wee celebr…
Fuck!!
@Dorothy Devine
Maybe you shouldn’t expect too much from the lady judge who allowed the prosecution to lead with “evidence” from the celebrity when the defence could not cross-examine. Weird?
No-one is more delighted than I am that Alex no longer has this over his head. My wee contribution to his original crowdfund was a good investment, most importantly as a message of support to him.
Statements about Nicola Sturgeon? What are the true motives of those making them? Who in the SNP are working undercover for the Brits? Who were the brains behind it who are Brit moles?
Not really that important unless we are daft enough to allow it to be important. Most important of all is that Alex is free to return to the fray. NOTHING any shitbag Brits try will ever deflect me from the pursuit of my country’s independence. And that applies to all like me. I will leave it to Johanna and others to sort out the detail. I will also leave it to the trolls who leave their shit on here to play with their faeces while corona is putting all other issues on the back burner.
.
YES
YES
YES
There is a God in Heaven,
Alex Salmond, you promised all of us that oft quotes line…
“YOU’VE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF MY BONNETS OR ME”
Thank goodness.
My faith in humanity and the judicial system has been restored.
BBC having difficulty reporting this as it sticks in their Unionist craw…
link to bbc.co.uk
Alex, I can now look forward to going through the 12 weeks of self-isolation with some HOPE as I know Covid19 will go.
Same fate awaits that lost wee lassie fae Dreghorn.
Either she goes with some dignity, or a new Indy Party MUST BE LAUNCHED.
Beattie shortbread programme discusses reprecussions for the SNP.
Auntie with a kilt still not amused: eg:
——————————————————————
Although found innocent still some questions remain about his conduct if rejoining the party. 🙁 and
He is not going away quietly. Expect some casualties. 🙂
John Beattie ‘Drivetime’ interview with Thomas Ross past President of Scottish Bar had the unbelievable contribution by this ‘Q.C.’
‘Extraordinary verdict, ‘suprising’ verdict, why? ‘due to number of allegations’, so what? ‘the common approach (in Scottish Law’ is ‘the basis of chances 2/3/4 people’ accusing someone of of similar offences’… So as Craig Murray predicted the ‘Moorov approach’ i.e stitch up the accused with as many charges as possible so that the jury will think ‘no smoke without fire’.
This eminent representative of the stinking body( with a few exceptions) known as the Scottish Legal establishment went on to contradict Beattie when he stated AS was not guilty. Ross acidly replied’he was not found innocent’ and based it on the one ‘not proven’ charge, I believe. But if you get found not guilty on 11 charges when are you not basically innocent?
What about Perjury charges against this evil coterie which has been responsible for the failure of our movement to make any attempt at Sovereign attainment, while being caught up in the attempted public crucifixion of AS and the self immolation of GRA?
I cant imagine Sturgeon taking the stage at conference after this. She would and should be booed off the stage.
Congratulations to Alex it must have been an ordeal living with this.
Onwards and upwards!
I have just see Sarah Smith and she looks as the saying goes “sick as a parrot” at this result.I can’t wait to see the full outcome of this fiasco.
I always had my doubts about this prosecution. These doubts became a conviction: this is a stitch-up, when I read Craig Murray’s ‘Yes Minister’ satire and put two and two together.
Then, reading the Grouse beater reports, rather than the msm ones, I grew even-more certain this was an attempt to silence Eck.
The real conviction point for me was the Craig Murray blog in which he reported on Eck asking the First Minister’s Office to sign him into Holyrood and being refused. I was absolutely certain then, this stitch-up led all the way abck to Nicola Sturgeon’s office.
She may be a competent First Minister, but, she must now resign ASAP, her conduct has jeopardised the main battle – for Independence.
It is just as well, for the SNP, that the Unionist opposition leaders are collectively and individually inept – or they would be in real bother.
Time to muck out our own byre and get back to the main battle, for what Wee Eck has just been handed – FREEDOM.
Alex Salmond found not guilty, this could be the catalyst we’ve been waiting for if he’s willing and able.
CORONA
RELIABLE UPDATES
The John Hopkins Center for Health Security
link to centerforhealthsecurity.org … /COVID-19/
Worldometer
link to worldometers.info
Any reputable media that has no political agenda will also do.
The Worldometer lets you track any country. As of this writing, here’s what you’ll see…
We are entering the scariest part of this journey. Most of the west is somewhere along the very tricky inflection part of the exponential curve. Europe is farther along than North America.
THIS is where the numbers really grow (in absolute numbers). So it’s where the media gets even louder. Hopefully, once you know this, you can avoid reading all the nonsense.
No panic. If you have a strong cache of food and supplies, if you don’t go out unless absolutely necessary, you should be fine. Protect the vulnerable in your family (that may mean YOU – if so, don’t be shy to explain that to your loved ones).
In most cases, it’s almost surely too late for containment to eradicate (as China has done – 3 days of zero new cases – China has had new cases, but they’re all from people visiting China for some reason). That does NOT mean that they should let herd immunity be the answer.
IF all they do is close their country or state or city (meaning no one in or out), they turn their country into a killing field, that’s all. THEY must turn to the totally draconian and UNIFORM policy of China, across all of Europe and North America…
AND put the Chinese program into place. We’re getting closer to that, as we see more states in the U.S. getting partway there, Italy trying (but blasted by a Chinese observer that they are still too soft).
It’s going to be a long and hard battle, because all of the large western countries are much further along than China was when they locked down AND put the system into place.
As a result, the worst countries will end up with some amount of herd immunity. But THAT is a very small consolation prize, especially since vaccines and antivirals are in the works.
The bottom line is do what we know works, until Project V&V yields results and turns SARS-CoV-2 into just another virus for which we’ll need a vaccine, possibly annually with our flu shot.
Be careful, folks. It’s dangerous out there. Your safety is in YOUR hands and no one else’s.
Peat Warrior has already posted that “not proven” is exactly the same as “not guilty”. It is a relic of the older Scottish verdicts of “proven” or “not proven”.
Alex is not guilty on all charges.
@Lochside
It is strange as the judge in the trial I was on described Not Guilty and Not Proven as effectively the same as a no proof of guilty verdict. There is no judgement called innocent, you would have thought a legal person would know this.
What is clear is the establishment don’t want AS returning to main line politics, they know he is a different animal from NS and won’t accept ‘now is not the time’ nonsense.
If you wanted to stimmie independence you would have a long game and have someone who is happy to be a regional manager at the top infiltrate the party.
Hate to say ‘Told you so’, but I told you so.
Bye bye Mrs. Murrell, the worst thing ever to happen to the Scottish independence movement, and upwards and onwards to independence.
With total lock down expected later this week, there won’t be much for people to do, but we’re still connected for the time being, so a few conference calls between Alex, Tommy Sheridan, Joanna Cherry, Craig Murray and The Rev wouldn’t go amiss.
Create the dreamteam and let’s get independence back on track!
One of the best days for Scotland in the quest to be free of this toxic Union for a long time.
Well, maybe not.
.
The English Brexit vote should have been the best day….
The English BoJo vote should have been the best day….
.
That they weren’t shows just how Murrell and Sturgeon have been completely compromised – as well as a lot of other well kent names – I would think. Heads to roll.
Still, Murray Foote and the rest of the Unionist journalists will have us disregard this verdict in favour of “Who Bit the Boaby?” stories.
.
Ooooooops, Mr Foote works for Nicki’s cabal. Nuff said.
jfngw says:
I’ve always maintained that to have ‘guilty’ and ‘not guilty’ is logical, but to have ‘not proven’, but no equivalent opposite verdict of ‘proven’ verdict is idiocy for any legal system to sustain.
‘Proven’ and ‘guilty’ do not mean the same thing.
To be clear I am an avid follower of yours but as anyone who regularly reads your blogs knows there has been a marked shift in your attitude to NS and I can understand why but I am a great admirer of both AS and NS. They have both contributed so much to our ultimate cause of Indy but as someone who canvassed thro’ all of the past campaigns I can honestly say if AS had still been FM I am certain we would not be as close to Indy as we are today. Many many people in my locality did not vote YES as they did not like or trust AS especially amongst women.
I have read elsewhere that Sarah Smith’s biased report on the acquittal of Mr Salmond is hilarious. She has a face like a skelped arse.
Could someone please post it so I can judge for myself ?
Pretty,pretty please ?
Lewis Moonie says:
23 March, 2020 at 5:39 pm
I’m very pleased to see that my old opponent (never enemy) at Westminster has been cleared of all charges. In over thirty years of knowing him I’ve never heard anyone suggest that Alex might be guilty of any such offence. It is hard to see this as anything other than an organised attempt to ruin his career.
Cui bono?
Thank you for coming here and posting that.
Yes it’s such a strange state of affairs that a man in the public eye for 30+ years, and because of his politics I daresay more scrutinised than most, should all of a sudden be faced with these allegations, when there has never been a hint of such before.
Ever since I first heard his explanation, I have gone along with Donald Finlay QC’s views on the Not Proven verdict.
The Donald pointed out, in every trial the Accused is: “Not Guilty until his or her guilt is proven.”
Therefore, “Not Proven is, in law, a more logical verdict than Not Guilty – since that which was asked, to prove, or not prove the accused’s guilt, has been established.
He/She is innocent, because their guilt was Not Proven.
The woke brigade are livid, they see the removal of NS as the end of their power at the top of the SNP, the quicker this happens for the good of Scotland the better. Too many more interested in policies that do not have support in Scotland than an interest in independence, send them back to Labour or the Greens.
Alex not guilty, the Rev back in action, GRA kicked into the long grass – what a day. I hope Mr Salmond gets back into politics, in some way, as soon as possible. We are the bus, Alex is the driver, is Nicola still the conductor? Not sure, but this is a great day for our Independence movement!
Throughout all this evil, twisted sh*T, Mr Salmond, who in my eyes is a king among men, has acted reasonably, with grace and probity.
Alex, congratulations. I look forward to you returning to front line politics, as much as the current First Minister does not. We are waiting, and ready.
2021, ye up for it??
Isn’t Nicola Sturgeon looking tired….
When you first hinted that something was wrong at the top of the SNP Stuart, I thought you had gone mad. Sadly you were right. A wee contribution coming your way from me.
If Alex wants to stay in politics, but can’t regain control of the SNP, Then I hope he will lead a new independence party. I will gladly join that. I look forward to seeing independence soon.
Reputation far from intact, errors of judgement certainly, but not the monster the prosecution, MSM and his accusers would have had the world believe.
As for the SNP ‘leadership’… it’s time to take out the trash.
Nicola is a self serving wee Unionist bastard.
She wants Devolution to run and run and fuckin run for ever.
How about a Salmond/Cherry double act to lead us to Independence, once we clear the air of the shit virus.
Nicola must have been hoping Alex would have been put away and that Angus Robertson would take care of Ms Cherry.
But to her great disappoiment Salmond is free and Cherry is riding high within the Yes Movement.
I assume the MSP who testified against Salmond and found by the jury that her evidence was uncompelling will now resign. How can you hold an elected office when the public find your evidence unreliable.
Great news about Alec Salmond. The prosecution case was absolute shite. As evidenced by the GRA reform there is something undemocratic about the cabal surrounding NS.
Well with Salmond innocent we might have a leader for the Rev’s ‘list party’. Let’s hope he can pass the Rev’s ‘transgender test’ to aspire to such a role
The leader can’t be the Rev as he does not have a clue on how to conduct himself to win friends and influence people on the road to Scotland’s independence. He is a loose gun only useful if pointed in the right direction.
The Rev is likely to ruin this victory by spending all his time trying to prove “it wos the SNP wot done it” when it was clearly an overly powerful civil servant and a cabal around her.
The ‘blame game’ being run by the Rev is both unsupportable and aimed at causing division and dissension – something we Irish know too much about – how many times have the colonialists arranged for our Nations to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the past?
It would be impossible for Sturgeon to stop a senior civil servant reporting someone to the police – to attempt to do so would have led to her own demise regardless of whether Salmond was innocent or not – either way her interference in such a situation would have been ruled a gross breach of governance.
Speaking as a politician, if one of the senior managers in my Council decided to act in a similar way to Evans – I could not possibly stop it. To pretend that Sturgeon as executive powers that over-ride the legal system is simply tosh of the worst order
Nothing but a unionist witchhunt against Alex. Good to see justice being done.
Delighted about this. Justice done, absolutely.
I think a serious look at the establishments Crown office in this country is required, people with an agenda, and not the interest justice lurk inside. I give you Alex salmond, and Al megrahi as examples.
Yes,,,it could be the beginnings of a new Political Party in Scotland.
Great News – we’ll soon see that blue bonnet back again.
For now Alex have a well earned rest and stay well.
So sorry Moira and You had to go through all of this.
The dream will never die now!
I see the trolls are out, those Britnats that hate Scotland and venerate serial adulator who is the PM. A man that can’t even remember how many children he has, a serial liar, financed a pole dancer, and smashed up places as a Bullingdon club member.
The Independence Party
The Yes Party
The …….. Party
Exciting times ahead,,,once we overcome this virus.
We don’t want anyone involved in the Yes Movement going anywhere soon,,,we will need all the help and support we can get ,,,, once we overcome this virus.
If Nicola was behind the “plot” she is much more Niccolò Machiavelli than I ever imagined. Sorry, but I suddenly feel so much more hopeful about achieving independence.
Who better than The Rev to take control of media in a new independence party? He HAS to be a part of any new set up. It would be extremely foolhardy not to involve him.
What a relief.
I never thought he was that type of person. How on earth did this manage to get to court?
With all the problems in the world, some good news at last.
Alex was always going to be found not guilty. The charges were all fluff and bile and no substance.
So very happy for both Alex and Moira.
There are a lot of ex Wingers who should be apologising to Stu.
Stu – ‘The Secret Lemonade Drinker’. Time to set the crowwdfunder to malky.. 😉
Brilliant news that Alex Salmond has been found innocent of all charges.
Sad news that so called Independence supporters are backing up the state media and now going after Nicola Sturgeon and doing the old “divide and conquer” for so many to fall for it.
We will hear soon enough from both Salmond and Sturgeon, save your innuendo until we have facts.
We gave Alex Salmond the courtesy of believing in him being innocent until proven guilty. He was innocent.
Who wants to throw the first stone against Sturgeon?
John H. says: 23 March, 2020 at 6:37 pm
IMHO, the only way to drive independence forward is for the grassroots to have a voice in the political process. That can only be done by having a new party.
Having a plurality of political parties with the same overall goals but different ways of going about it happens in most democracies. However, it is fraught with risks and potentially splitting the vote that ultimately defeats the overall goals that these plurality of parties aim for.
To make it less riskier, the new indy party needs experienced political heavy weights like Alex Salmond, Craig Murray and Tommy Sheridan who knows the political system inside out and knows how to get things moving. As well as knowing the system, they have enough experience to form strategy to ensure the can do the best with the limited resources that a new party would have. Above all, they are dedicated to the cause, know what is at stake and won’t let ego’s get in the way.
Pacman at 7.10pm
Seconded.
Many don’t seem to know how courts work on twitter, they want to know the split in the vote. As far as I’m aware the judge doesn’t even ask for the split, just whether it was unanimous or majority, only the jury know the spilt and they are sworn to silence on this matter.
Will the real first minister please stand up ……
Did anyone see the piece by G.Cree on the trials outcome ? It was reiterating every accusation , re-living the damned trial if you like.
STV should be ashamed of that report and for not allowing Mr Salmond – certainly should be Mr Salmond to that shower – to be heard.
Dorothy 7.30
STV doing a full report on the case at 10.40pm tonight
So we will see by their attitude tonight how disappointed or not they are on the outcome of the trial.
Pacman at 7.10pm
Agreed, but we will have to see how events unfold.
BoJo speaking to the “country” at 8.30 tonight.
Major announcement forth coming.
Great news. Maybe it’s time for Alex to rejoin the SNP and remind it what it was founded for. And that wasn’t trans activism.
Who had True Faith today wouldn’t be a Blue Monday?
I used to think that this day might never come
But hoped a fair hearing would see justice done
Alex can now feel a sense of liberty
As the jury decide he should be free
Ha ha, let the New Order begin…
Jackie , I can happily give that a miss , I only caught them by accident earlier and will never deliberately follow them.
Delighted with the verdict and looking forward to the production of Alex Salmond’s evidence which was deemed inadmissable in court.
@Lochside 5.48: yes, hoping Thomas Ross “Q.C.” has just talked himself into serious trouble with his shameful comments on Radio Shortbread. He seems dreadfully ignorant of the origin and meaning of the Not Proven verdict too.
Sarah Smith and Gordon Cree still desperately trying to smear AS as they chew wasps tonight.
Thanks to The Rev. and Craig Murray for opening folk’s eyes to what was really happening and Grouse Beater for his court reports when CM was silenced.
Joanna Cherry’s tweet this afternoon was quite brilliant.
Glad I kept my SNP membership so I can go to conference and boo sturgeon of the stage.!
Sturgeon is a bacjstabber to Alex and Scotland. On the payroll of M15 and the brit nats most likely.
Lesley Evans and your Westminster plants , your time is up ! .
Best news this year.
Really pleased about the news today on Alex Salmond Not Guilty outcome……as if , based on evidence that we saw reported, there could have been any other verdict.
The independence movement owes him so much and I am glad many people have supported him throughout this awful experience.I hope this gave him some comfort and strength.
Really sad and angry he has had to endure this awful thing hanging over him for so long.
My thoughts and heart goes out to him and his wife.
We can all empathise and sympathise as to how terrible this must have been for both of them.
Such a giant of a man who some, it appears, have tried and failed to bring down.
Truth will out….justice will be done. Today and in the future. Amen to that.
In order to win Independence, we need to “Boo Sturgeon off the stage” at conference.
Oh FFS, give it up meh sides are killing me LOLOLOL
The downfall of Nicola Sturgeon began in my eyes the day she let Jackie Burd (spit) into her house to do a cosy wee interview.
I couldn’t believe Nicola would let that bastard Burd anywhere near her house.
Burd was the enemy and the so called leader of the Independence Movement had just invited her in for high tea.
I am exagurating slightly, but you get the point I am trying to make, that Nicola’s heart has never truly been in the Indy fight.
Obviously all the TV channels are in angst just now, they all have their ‘Fall of Alex Salmond’ documentaries in the can, now to go in the bin. Maybe they will still run them with all the allegations then leave a few secs at the end to declare he was found guilty on none of the accusations.
Always had the feeling it was “murky “, very happy for Alex,
A fair amount of you remarked on Sarah Smith’s attitude, aye that true, but the “reporter” who really wants to put the knife in, then AND now is David Clegg, of the Daily Record/ Dundee Courier, a nasty piece of work that fellow.
I agree with Tricia Marwick that both this and the last FM are good guys.
Do not help the imperial divide and rule!
@Ayeright
What conference, it’s unlikely there will be any this year and they are already manoeuvring to extend her tenure for another year as FM.
Have just read Rhiannon Spear on twitter. Disgustingly she defies the rule of law. Sack her SNP.
@ Craig Murray:
“I thought nothing could make me happier today”
Hope you’re feeling better after the ‘dark night of the soul’ that you had.
I wonder if this kangaroo court, was also the result of Alex Salmond being talked about as an editor of (I think it was the Scotsman) as some dutch guy wanted to buy it and make him editor?
It is obvious that a few people wanted AS destroyed and perhaps there was some ‘corridor conversations’ between Westminster and Holyrood (SNP leadership branch) about ‘scratching each others backs, on this?
If so, Nicola would find herself quickly being politically blackmailed as the Westminster machine has hundreds of years of experience in this field.
The Coronovirus will keep Nicola and her lackeys, in a job for a short while longer, but in the long term, they are toast.
It works out just fine, because it gives AS Rev etc, time to get their heads together to figure how best to move the Yes movement forward and how to get the ‘ball and chain’ that has been Nicola’s leadership, removed from our ankle’s.
@Famous15
Yes, many in SNP seem unwilling to accept the ruling of the court and hence the rule of law, should these people be in any position of power and influence. Any in the SNP who reject the court verdict should have their membership rescinded.
If you can’t recognise the enemies and opponents of Independence right in front of your eyes then all is lost.
They’re here right now spreading their poisonous seed. It is as plain as day. Make your own mind up of course, but know this the state does have a hand in spreading division in order to weaken support for Independence.
Their most powerful weapon is to have us argue among ourselves!
They post here of course, don’t fall for their crap, think about their motives for what they say first. Just don’t be fooled.
Divided we fall! and that is the only thing that can stop Independence from happening. We stick together and especially now.
@jfngw
“what conference”
Pay attention son, it was a quote from someone else.
Lothianlad says:
23 March, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Glad I kept my SNP membership so I can go to conference and boo sturgeon of the stage.!
I’m afraid the outcome of the AS trial doesn’t fit with Ms Spears agenda.
I’d suggest she fucks right off
How some of you are so quick to implement Nicola Sturgeon, I don’t agree with those that do, this whole affair could easily turn out to be more involved than a plot in one of Alistair Maclean novels.
Next? — The Lockerbie affair !.
Bring them on I say.
jfngw
re how the vote was split by the jury
I’m sure someone said to me yesterday that for him to be cleared of the charges there had to be a least a two thirds majority of the women on the jury.
Remember thinking that was an odd requirement – can anyone clarify?
It may well be that NS is as innocent as as and the date she gave to parliament is correct and some are to say the least misremembering. Do not let anyone divide usus that is a tactic certain people are experts in.
That’s right, ayeright…. sturgeon to be booed of the stage at conference!! And hopefully right out of the SNP because only a fucking half wit would support this woke anti independence shower!!
Get Alex back at the front to lead the charge that the SNP was founded for !!
Hi Rev,
I’m sure you can contact Mr. and Mrs. Salmond. I don’t know how. Can you on behalf of all of us pass on our love and best wishes.
This mince has been exposed.
Oh help ma boab. I’m just recovering from the #SNP Civil war now I find I’m split down the middle. Keep your eyes on the prize folks. If we weren’t succeeding they wouldn’t bother with us.
@meg merrilees
A majority verdict was required so that meant an 8-7 verdict for either result.
Once 2 jurors were excused, 8 were still required for a majority verdict despite there being only 13 jurors left.
Anyway all that matters is he was tried and found not guilty by fellow Scots. I guess ones that actually might have takenb the political angle into account and realised that most of the so called “evidence” against him wasn’t worth much.
@meg merrilees
A majority verdict is eight in favour of guilty, this is just over half of the fifteen. I still think it has to be eight even when it is reduced to thirteen as in this case, probably need some one to confirm this.
Relieved at the result.
Now to take back control of the SNP!
Also, spare a thought for Moira. It is hard to imagine what she must have been through.
So happy for Alex. Justice done, I just hope that he can recover from this.
If you are defending Nicola, you are accepting that Lesley Evans changed the Civil Service code to allow retrospective charges without Nicola knowing. Yet it is a matter of record that Nicola approved them You are also believing that all the police interviews with the SNP members involved was unknown to Nicola
Personally I suspect it is more to do with Nicolas other half as CEO of the SNP,, but I cannot accept Nicola did not know of these allegations,OR THE SUBSTANCE TO THEM/
@Lothianlad
“And hopefully right out of the SNP because only a fucking half wit would support this woke anti independence shower!!”
Says another halfwit diddy 🙂
@Ayeright
When you call people son you are usually proving you are a bit of an arse. It is normal practice to put quotes in quotation marks and signal who you are replying to,
Boris is finished. Lockdown announced.
@jfngw
My original comment was in quotation marks, son 🙂
Congratulations on your well-deserved accomplishment AS. I say accomplishment because being forced to prove your innocence in such a public manner, especially when your accusers get to hide behind a curtain, can hardly be classed as a “victory”. You should never have been put through that in the first place.
My own personal thoughts, going on what i’ve been able to read, were that at worst they would see to it that you would walk away with a seriously black cloud following you in the form of “not proven” verdicts on most if not them all.
It is indeed however a good & historical day for Scotland. Hope you now go after all the main players in all of this, Alex, and wipe the fuckin’ floor with them.
Would now love to see some major developments in the formation of a list party involving Alex Salmond, Stuart Campbell & Craig Murray. OR if it’s possible a complete takeover of the SNP with certain allies on board and feed all the hijackers & Queen Enabler to the wolves.
Evans’ head, and the heads of one or two other big names, should be put out on metaphorical stakes for all to see. Conspirators & collaborators!
There are an awful lot of arses posting on Wings these days.
Ayeright being all wrong yet again what a clown.
Great news about Alex Salmond – the Kompromat didn’t succeed.
Welcome back, Rev. Your input has been missed.
Well with Salmond innocent we might have a leader for the Rev’s ‘list party’. Let’s hope he can pass the Rev’s ‘transgender test’ to aspire to such a role
The leader can’t be the Rev as he does not have a clue on how to conduct himself to win friends and influence people on the road to Scotland’s independence. He is a loose gun only useful if pointed in the right direction.
The Rev is likely to ruin this victory by spending all his time trying to prove “it wos the SNP wot done it” when it was clearly an overly powerful civil servant and a cabal around her.
The ‘blame game’ being run by the Rev is both unsupportable and aimed at causing division and dissension – something we Irish know too much about – how many times have the colonialists arranged for our Nations to snatch defeat from the jaws of a victory in the past through in-fighting?
It would be impossible for Sturgeon to stop a senior civil servant reporting someone to the police – to attempt to do so would have led to her own demise regardless of whether Salmond was innocent or not – either way her interference in such a situation would have been ruled a gross breach of governance.
Speaking as a politician, if one of the senior managers in my Council decided to concoct accusations and refer it to the police in a similar way to Evans – I could not possibly stop it. Investigations could follow – but one cannot intervene in a legal process controlled by the civil service and police.
To pretend that Sturgeon as executive powers that over-ride the legal system is simply tosh of the worst order.
Lets enjoy Salmond’s victory in full – without handing it over free gratis and for nothing to the 77th Brigade in Denison Barracks, Hermitage, Berkshire.
The jury was originally 15.
2 of them were despatched (on health grounds?) on Monday morning. But, in Scots Law, a majority of 8 was still required to find the accused guilty.
The majority of the jury found the accused not guilty and not proven.
Onnyhoo…
A good result against what it would appear, were trumped up charges. A round of applause to Philip Sim (BBC) on Twitter, Craig Murray for his curtailed coverage of the trial (Why curtailed? Will we ever know?) and Rev Stu for the superb analysis above.
Ayeright had his brain locked down along time ago it seems. no doubt a loyal sturgeon lackey…. month the devolutionists!!!
Fark off!! ??????
Hahaha cynicalHighlander you lot really getting desperate, clutching at straws for any excuse to continue your assault on the First Minister.
For what? Got any evidence of anything? We know you don’t just a load of moaning minnies that can’t help themselves.
All that’s left for you lot is moan, groan and accuse others of not doing enough. Ever ask yourself what you have done?
Get a grip, especially now and start being positive. You lot that continually demean the SNP and the First Minister are the very definitions of the cringe.
TOO STUPID and that’s for sure. Get a grip.
“Since the two most serious charges, in particular, were both matters of the accuser’s word against that of the accused, and the two parties gave completely irreconcilable accounts of the facts (rather than competing interpretations of agreed events), it can only be the case that one side was lying absolutely, and the jury decided that it was the anonymous accusers who were doing so.”
No, that’s incorrect. In a criminal case the prosecution has to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. So if, for example, the jury just wasn’t sure who told the truth, they would have to acquit.
I have not posted here for quite a while – and I don’t recognise many of the names that I recall supported Wings in it’s heyday.
There seem to be a lot of anonymous posters whose sole reason to be on the site is to defame or divide the Scottish Interdependence Movement
Couldn’t bear to watch BawJaws go all Churchillian…”We shall go on to the end, blah blah blah”… What did I miss?
I wonder if the UK Govt. endorsement for that cushy UN job will quietly disappear like snow off a dyke, now that the jury has thrown an almighty spanner in someone’s works.
is there still some people who seriously believe Nicola Sturgeon wasn’t at the very center of this stitch up?
I know not everyone has the same level of comprehension or the same working intelligence, but surely no one is that naive?
I can just about understand how the reprobate wing of the SNP are clinging on the delusion that Nicola is a great leader, because for them, She Is!!!
but for anyone who wants independence, or even the opportunity to vote for it, she is as much use as a chocolate teapot.
The charge that she wasn’t doing her day job has been proven to be correct, because for any leader of the SNP, getting our independence should always be their day job.
Open you eyes!
@Ayeright
The man in the mirror.
re the comments on how the majority of the jury was calculated, thank you, but –
my point still remains unanswered – the comment I heard was that there had to be specifically a majority of the women on the jury finding him not guilty/not proven
……which implies this was regardless of how many men were to vote for not guilty/not proven, presumably because of the nature of the charges??? ( not just a simple 8/7 vote)
and if that was the case then it means that at least 5/9 of the women voted not guilty/not proven.
The main thing is that Justice has been done but at what cost to Alex and his wife and family/friends. Shameful process.
Perhaps without Corona virus the coverage would have been monstrous and that could have corrupted things even more resulting in a different outcome…
Hail! Cadogan Enright! Welcome back!
and what an astute first remark. Nail on the head , if you ask me.
@Patrick Roden
She was already leader so give us your great insight.
WHY would Nicola Sturgeon start such a process that could only harm her and the SNP.
I’ll ask again, tell me WHY she would do such a thing that could only harm her and her party.
Bet you have no answer whatsoever because there is none.
Robertknight, you missed his Churchilian out of sync address – or else my telly doesn’t like him , much like its owner!
@jfngw
I’m bored with you, no more responses. You have nothing to add.