It will come as little surprise to any observer of the Scottish media for the last decade that the trial of Alex Salmond is to continue indefinitely after the actual court case that cleared him of all charges.
With very occasional honourable exceptions, including some from rather unexpected sources, the Scottish press has been – even by its own spectacularly low standards – an absolute sewer for the past week. Wings has taken the decision not to link to any of the most disgusting articles, even as archives, because frankly in the current stressful situation none of us needs any extra poison in our headspace.
Scotland’s political journalists have been unable to contain their seething fury at being robbed of the head on a pike that they were all expecting and salivating about like Pavlov’s dogs. But scumbags are gonna scumbag, and that’s not news. What’s far more alarming is something in today’s papers that they didn’t write.
We got blocked by LBC’s James O’Brien today for very gently and politely challenging him over this tweet:
And while this site most assuredly carries no torch for Jeremy Corbyn, it’s a reframing of reality that merits a bit of investigation for what it tells us about the UK media.
We just watched a nine-minute segment on Sky News, purportedly on the subject of “Is the Union between Scotland and England under threat?”, which for maximum balance and impartiality included views from both Labour and the Tories – in the forms of Paul Sweeney MP and John Lamont MP – but nobody else.
Both men spouted some quite extraordinary claims, all of which went unchallenged by presenter Adam Boulton. Let’s just take a quick look at a couple of the best ones.
If you’re a writer for a living and you want to check if something you’ve written might be embarrassingly stupid, there’s an easy and quick technique you can use.
By way of example, here’s Kenny Farquharson in the Times today, on the subject of the supposed similarities in the relationships between the Tories and the Brexit Party, and the SNP and the potential new Wings party:
So here’s the trick: switch the protagonists around.
Young Lochinvar on The Pit Of Vipers: “T I’m not sure if it’s exactly what you were referring to but it’s worth listening to the lyrics of…” Apr 19, 18:57
Joan Edington on The Pit Of Vipers: “Much as I agree with the article, it does seem a bit too co-incidental that the Mail should decide (or…” Apr 19, 18:55
George Ferguson on The Pit Of Vipers: “@Dan 6:33pm I have been criticised for my negativity on the Alliance for Scottish Independence. I was defrauded and robbed…” Apr 19, 18:55
Dan on The Pit Of Vipers: “Even just post Indyref the signs were there that the fledgling NuSNP wanted nothing to do with the grassroots Indy…” Apr 19, 18:33
twathater on The Pit Of Vipers: “Surely questions must be asked of the judge, Dorrian WHY all these Whatsapp messages and other messages were NOT allowed…” Apr 19, 18:01
Lorncal on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Alf: spot on, sir. Nicky: aye, Tommy was a naughty boy, but if his wife can forgive him, so can…” Apr 19, 18:01
Ian on The Pit Of Vipers: “Margaret Thatcher’s government famously attempted to ban Spycatcher (1987), a memoir by former MI5 officer Peter Wright that alleged illegal…” Apr 19, 17:46
George Ferguson on The Pit Of Vipers: “@Sarah I was in Dundee at the time. I distributed the wee blue book during the Independence Campaign. Dundee delivered…” Apr 19, 17:39
GM on The Pit Of Vipers: “Starting with Sturgeon, dozens of these repulsive individuals should be facing charges and certain jail terms. It is obvious that…” Apr 19, 17:39
Confused on The Pit Of Vipers: “cultured Prime of Miss Jean Brodie reference …” Apr 19, 17:34
Morgatron on The Pit Of Vipers: “I can’t wait for the day everyone of these bastards are named and held accountable in a court of law.…” Apr 19, 17:32
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Pit Of Vipers: “CHANNEL 4 NEWS Alex Salmond interview (26 Mar 2021) « But when are you going to apologise to the women???…” Apr 19, 17:27
willie on The Pit Of Vipers: “You make a very important point Alf Baird. The persecution against Salmond was aided and abetted by the Westminster deep…” Apr 19, 17:12
sarah on The Pit Of Vipers: “And was it in Dundee that the SNP made it difficult to distribute the Wee Blue Book? They wouldn’t have…” Apr 19, 17:00
Lenny Hartley on The Pit Of Vipers: “The Late Alison Balharry who was the Yes Scotland Press Officer responsible for arranging Spokespeople to Radio and TV claime…” Apr 19, 16:20
Jeannie McCrimmon on The Pit Of Vipers: “We are governed by pathetic sickos.” Apr 19, 16:11
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
The Flying Iron of Doom on The Narcissism Of No Differences: “Dave says: 19 April, 2026 at 2:01 pm Admitting you’re racist is step one. Step two is realising God’s not…” Apr 19, 14:41
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
