The Spectator’s application to the High Court for a variation of the anonymity order in HM Advocate vs Alexander Salmond has just finished. It seems to have been agreed by all parties that Lady Dorrian will now amend her order to read thus:
“An order at common law and in terms of section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, preventing publication of the names and identity and any information likely to disclose the identity of the complainers in the case of HMA v Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond, as such complainers in those proceedings.”
We suppose this is a sort of compliment, in at least two senses.
The second of them, of course, being the sheer surprise of some people at discovering that not everyone is as cynical and devious as they evidently are themselves.
First Minister’s Questions was very interesting today. Ruth Davidson had some tricky ones which Nicola Sturgeon simply didn’t even attempt to look like she was answering, and we might come back to one of them in particular a little later on.
But Jackie Baillie’s were even more pointed, especially this one:
With our trademark scrupulous fairness we’ve included the full question and answer, and they raise a whole series of issues, but if you’re in a hurry the key part we want to talk about right now is between 0.18 and 0.26.
It’s hard to believe that it’s barely six months since grassroots SNP members rushed to the defence of Glasgow Cathcart MSP James Dornan when it looked like the party’s woke wing had pushed him out of his seat for electoral vampire Rhiannon Spear.
The loud uproar over a crooked NEC meeting that effectively deselected Dornan – the same one that stitched up Joanna Cherry – saw him reinstated as candidate, although the decision over Cherry wasn’t reversed. But the warning shot across Dornan’s bows clearly worked, because look at the state of him now.
Ever since the summer fiasco Dornan has been the most obsequiously loyal follower of the leadership in the entire party, but today’s tweet is a new low.
There’s currently a rather large and somewhat embarrassing vacancy at the top of the Yes movement. You may wish to be part of an organisation which includes some very good people seeking to do something about it.
In which case you should click on the image above.
The tl;dr is that Martin Keatings has lost his case over the Scottish Parliament’s right or otherwise to hold an independence referendum. Lady Carmichael in essence declined to make a decision over Holyrood’s authority to order any future vote, agreeing with the defenders in deeming the matter to be “hypothetical, academic and premature”.
We obviously haven’t yet had time to digest the full 72-page judgement, issued about an hour ago, and in any event aren’t really equipped to understand its dense legalese.
But there’s one thing we do understand.
Keatings was opposed by an alliance of the Advocate General for Scotland (despite his title, a representative of the UK government) and the Lord Advocate OF Scotland, who is a minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s government.
It was therefore the Scottish Government, alongside the one in Westminster, who were opposing the court even attempting to establish whether Scotland has the right to determine its own constitutional future.
Sven on The Pit Of Vipers: “I make no comment upon any individual alleged to be connected with what appears to me to be a criminal…” Apr 19, 16:09
Alf Baird on The Pit Of Vipers: “This is clearly about a lot more than just a few senior people in the SNP. Considering the significant number…” Apr 19, 16:06
sarah on The Pit Of Vipers: “@ Effijy: Vote for people who aren’t party politicians. And have integrity and principles. There’s quite a few standing as…” Apr 19, 15:39
shug on The Pit Of Vipers: “Never forget the part the BBC played in their programme, where only the prosecution evidence was reported. Where they openly…” Apr 19, 15:33
Confused on The Pit Of Vipers: “this really is massive the whole jenga pile could go I expect there is more to come” Apr 19, 15:33
Patsy Millar on The Pit Of Vipers: “Your last sentence says it all.” Apr 19, 15:24
panda paws on The Pit Of Vipers: “Some nuSNP idiots online are saying “msm are trying to discredit the SNP before an election”. Well duh! And of…” Apr 19, 15:23
Effijy on The Pit Of Vipers: “It looks like you really need to be immoral, corrupt and incapable if you wish to be a politician I…” Apr 19, 15:17
Alf Baird on The Narcissism Of No Differences: ““Admitting you’re racist is step one” Indeed but it is difficult for the colonizer to admit their racism or that…” Apr 19, 14:33
Dave on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Admitting you’re racist is step one. Step two is realising God’s not your co-signer.” Apr 19, 14:01
Young Lochinvar on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Beggars Try as you will you aren’t going to be able the rehabilitate the reputations of Oswald Mosley and Enoch…” Apr 19, 13:44
Young Lochinvar on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Aidan 10 motorways or 10 bits of motorways? And I think the point was that life exists beyond the central…” Apr 19, 13:40
Young Lochinvar on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Now now Dan Don’t be bitter.. The wee parish cooncil of certain devolved powers has been around for nearly 30…” Apr 19, 13:36
Alf Baird on The Narcissism Of No Differences: ““There are ten motorways in Scotland connecting the central belt” Aye richt, Aden. An the muin is makkit o cheese.…” Apr 19, 13:11
Alf Baird on The Narcissism Of No Differences: ““At least they have a unified group and a realistic plans of action and the latest Yougov poll is interestingly…” Apr 19, 12:55
Mark Beggan on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “The geopolitical situation has turned the Left upside down and left them standing on the wrong side of history. The…” Apr 19, 12:53
Northcode on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Guid day tae aw ye sinfu synners oot ther on this blessit Saubath, this wan day o the week set…” Apr 19, 12:36
Red on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “It’s a tough choice for left of centre voters. Do we vote for the noncey LGBTQ pervert mass immigration Net…” Apr 19, 12:28
Alf Baird on The Narcissism Of No Differences: ““This is wholly a male thing” Yes Lorncal, in ‘The Intimate Enemy’, Nandy’s study of the psychology of British colonialism…” Apr 19, 11:44
Confused on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “I see the hunday mail has got hold of the (some, at least) of the whatsapp messages … this could…” Apr 19, 11:35
Alf Baird on The Narcissism Of No Differences: ““why does Scotland not appear to have Epstein compromised individuals” As a colony we are ‘out of the game’, willie,…” Apr 19, 10:57
Bilbo on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “The right by it’s very nature, one whose only purpose is to converse, is never radical. It only appears as…” Apr 19, 10:56
willie on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Listening to Laura Kuennsberg this morning the prog is all about why Sir Keir Starmer allowed Peter Mandelson to be…” Apr 19, 09:43
willie on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “A timely article in today’s Sunday Mail publishing emails in relation to the Alex Salmond attempted stich up. https://archive.is/oavLF” Apr 19, 09:31
Aidan on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Again that’s more total bollocks from the both of you, the motorway network does not “mostly stop at Carlisle” does…” Apr 19, 09:22
MaryB on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Nobody will ever agree with every policy of any one specific political party, especially in the current political climate. But…” Apr 19, 09:11
Alf Baird on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Excellent point Dan. The same might be said for motorways which mostly stop in Carlisle, and all other essential infrastructure…” Apr 19, 08:46
John McNab on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “You don’t need ‘none of the above’, as by definition, it will be at the bottom of the ballot paper,…” Apr 19, 08:41
Nicky T Naquetti on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Something I forgot to mention about Sheridan – his waste of public funds, by claiming legal aid in order to…” Apr 19, 08:18
Nicky T Naquetti on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Tommy Sheridan? I suppose it may be possible to enjoy the services of prostitutes while still “respecting women” – he…” Apr 19, 07:29
