Many things about the session are disturbing, not least the incredibly one-sided nature of both the witnesses and the committee, none of whom seem to have even a token interest in challenging the claims of the witnesses, however absurd or contentious (eg that praying for someone is basically a form of torture).
This is so freaky I had to check they weren’t quoting each other. It’s like a game show.
Just a couple of nice well-brought-up Hutchesons’ Grammar boys in smart suits, there, thinking the same, speaking the same, saying the same, and angling for the same job. (Which one of them now has, and the other may have soon.)
We make no apology for returning once again to the depressing subject of the Scottish Government’s proposed new law to ban “conversion practices”, because it provides such an illuminating microcosm of how far a once competent and widely-respected administration has fallen since 2015.
Emma Roddick, who is piloting the bill towards the statute books in much the same way that Mohamed Atta piloted American Airlines Flight 11 towards the World Trade Centre, is a 26-year-old who by her own admission suffers from a serious and debilitating mental illness that any sane country would regard as an insurmountable bar to political office.
The Scottish Government’s website about its controversial and extremely disturbing new “conversion practices” legislation assures citizens that the proposal was formed after consultation with an “Expert Advisory Group”.
But all of a sudden it doesn’t seem to want you to know who they were.
After yesterday’s disturbing article about the indoctrination of Scottish schoolchildren into transgender ideology via the Scottish Government’s proposed new “conversion practices” legislation, Wings was contacted by a number of current Scottish teachers telling us we had no idea how far it had already gone.
The message below was by no means untypical:
“This stuff around the UNCRC has been a concern for a while. Some of the articles seem to be being interpreted in ways they were never intended. It has become a vehicle for activist teachers to push their own agendas, all the while hiding behind ‘children’s rights’.
Getting certified is being pushed heavily in every school. Headteachers seem to be under a lot of pressure (coming from Scottish Government) to get it all implemented. We’re currently working towards silver.”
It’s from a 2018 BBC3 documentary called Becoming A Trans Man – Leo. The 15-year-old child in the video plays with a Rubik’s Cube as Wolton, who was 31 at the time, enthusiastically grooms her into transitioning into a “man”, advocating chest binders, a double mastectomy and the irreversible mutilation of her genitalia (“Lower surgery – you want that”) that will, Wolton confirms, lead to her permanent sterilisation, as well as the destruction of her future adult sexual function.
The BBC presents it as a heartwarming tale of friendship.
The Herald has the barest skeleton of a report, while you have to turn to page 14 of the Daily Record for a similar piece that conveys the basic facts with nothing at all about the significance of the ruling, and STV News – embarrassingly – just runs an agency release despite having the estimable Colin Mackay and Bernard Ponsonby on its staff. (They also had nothing on air last night.) Maybe they were busy.
The Scottish Sun is by far the best of the print media on the subject. It first ran a extensive but very strangely-timed article that included reporting of actual events at the hearing but NOT the verdict, even though the court delivered its judgement mere moments after hearing the counsels’ submissions.
(The piece finishes “The appeal at the Court of Session is expected to last one day, with a written judgement taking weeks or months”.)
It followed up a couple of hours later with another substantial story including the reactions of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Information Commissioner (the opposing parties at the hearing). But the only actual analysis was done by the BBC.
To the surprise of most of those watching, including ourselves, the Court Of Session delivered its judgement immediately at the end of today’s hearing, after only the most cursory of conflabs between the three august panel members.
The short version is that the Scottish Government lost, and must now comply with Wings reader Benjamin Harrop‘s FOI request regarding evidence that was supplied to independent adviser James Hamilton during his inquiry into the unlawful investigation of false allegations against Alex Salmond.
The Scottish Government will make history tomorrow. For the first time ever since the advent of devolution 24 years ago, it will take the Scottish Information Commissioner to the Court Of Session to prevent disclosure of information.
On the bench will be the full firepower of the inner council of the Scottish judiciary. The Lord President himself, Lord Carloway, will be presiding (and presumably lording) over the hearing. Joining him on the bench will be a former Lord Advocate, Lord Boyd, and a former Solicitor General, Lord Pentland – pictured below, and of whom readers will last have heard here.
To use the legal parlance, that’s a big-boy lineup.
To present their case, the Government are fielding not one but two King’s Counsel – James Mure KC and Paul Reid KC.
This top legal talent does not come cheap and nor does a Court Of Session hearing. So what is this vital information that the Scottish Government – which as recently as May this year pledged to “ensure that we are the most transparent Government on these islands” – is trying so desperately to hide from the Scottish public, at the Scottish public’s very considerable expense?
Confused on A Fishy Tale: “Lara Fearnely-Whittingstone-de-Montefiore seems fragrant; reminds of Stewart Hosie’s wife. Just the type to storm the machine guns in our final…” Jun 20, 11:59
BLMac on A Fishy Tale: “Nothing shows the problem with Scotland more that the current World Cup. Look at all those Scots who have found…” Jun 20, 11:49
Alf Baird on A Fishy Tale: ““We’re colonised precisely because we’re politically illiterate” Not so. Independence is ‘a matter of national culture’ (Fanon), not a matter…” Jun 20, 11:05
Oneliner on A Fishy Tale: “……. and infiltration” Jun 20, 10:22
MaryB on A Fishy Tale: “She seems keen on Palestine, but no mention of independence that I can see.” Jun 20, 10:17
MaryB on A Fishy Tale: “According to STV, Lara was Lynda Jones Bird. So a few name changes there. She did grow up near Kirriemuir…” Jun 20, 10:00
Hatey McHateface on A Fishy Tale: “I’m quite confident that Professor Baird and his supporters would claim that because we’re colonised, we’re politically illiterate. I see…” Jun 20, 08:06
Hatey McHateface on A Fishy Tale: “In a perfect world, everybody should get what they deserve. I can’t help thinking that what the sorry people of…” Jun 20, 07:50
J Robertson on A Fishy Tale: “I think we know from the Salmond judicial review fiasco that they ignore even external legal advice ( and subvert…” Jun 20, 06:37
Derek on A Fishy Tale: “…fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads…” Jun 20, 01:51
Saffron Robe on A Fishy Tale: “SNP (def.) – a faux independence party replete with faux Scots under foreign allegiance.” Jun 20, 00:27
Alf Baird on A Fishy Tale: “Postcolonial theory tells us that a national party elite ‘co-opted by colonialism’ will soon ‘disintegrate’ (Fanon), which is already happening…” Jun 19, 21:45
Young Lochinvar on A Fishy Tale: “FF Thanks, however all (possibly except the last military one) are far far too slow. The tune is “Hey Tuti…” Jun 19, 21:06
Lewis E. See on A Fishy Tale: “We often hear the SNP vote becoming like the old Labour vote – staunch clients & grudging old believers who…” Jun 19, 20:31
James on Response Level Upgrade: “““most men lead lives of quiet desperation” – then the internet came along and the likes of Beggan Aidan Chas…” Jun 19, 20:16
Young Lochinvar on Response Level Upgrade: “CC “Enjoying the World Cup immensely”.. More social media influencer nonsense yet again Mash, because you certainly don’t sound so…” Jun 19, 20:05
Captain Caveman on Response Level Upgrade: ““Blow it out your ass” Something you do with monotonous regularity no doubt, you fat twat. 😀” Jun 19, 19:42
sam on A Fishy Tale: “Off topic for this post by Stu. It is relevant to his engagement with Police Scotland and COPFS. https://andywightman.scot/2026/06/no-police-or-copfs-action-over-transparency-offences/ No…” Jun 19, 19:12
Aidan on Response Level Upgrade: “Hahahaha “James” mouthing off like he could fight his way out of a paper bag.” Jun 19, 18:28
Lorncal on A Fishy Tale: “Just how is she going to be able to do anything much down there when she is studying for the…” Jun 19, 18:11
Ex President Xiden on A Fishy Tale: “To be fair Lara Bird is her stage name a bit like Elton John and Freddie Mercury. Quite common in…” Jun 19, 17:56
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on A Fishy Tale: “SCANDAL AS NHS GOES AHEAD WITH ‘UNETHICAL’ PUBERTY BLOCKERS TRIAL Campaigners warn of irreversible harm as the NHS restarts its…” Jun 19, 17:41
sam on A Fishy Tale: “If you want to read 80 pages or so around For Women’s petition for judicial review the link is below.…” Jun 19, 16:52
agentx on A Fishy Tale: ““Scottish First Minister John Swinney said: “Lady Ross’s judgment has just been given down and it is a very comprehensive…” Jun 19, 16:32
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on A Fishy Tale: “MARCH DES SOLDATS DE ROBERT BRUCE (Four versions): ———— 1) Pèlerinage des Troupes de marine à Bazeilles – 2013 Concert…” Jun 19, 16:31
sam on A Fishy Tale: “Before that happens, Scottish people need another united political independence party sufficiently well organised and funded to replace the SNP.…” Jun 19, 16:17
lothianlad on A Fishy Tale: “Spot on Stu!!” Jun 19, 15:55
Peter McAvoy on A Fishy Tale: “I wonder if the new MP will recognise and abide by Scots law or continue to reduce it to the…” Jun 19, 15:50
Lorncal on A Fishy Tale: “The thing is, agentx, a first term law student could have told the government this was illegal and contrary to…” Jun 19, 15:17
