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.
Sorry, folks, we had a minor medical emergency today (veteran readers can probably guess in which category) and haven’t been quite as on top of events as we’d like.
So terrible was it that the SNP had a backup plan to distract from it – a nonsense of a press release from SNP chief operating officer Sue Ruddick in which she made an allegation about a supposed “act of physical aggression” by Alex Salmond.
The following statement has been issued in response. It’s an eye-opener.
Committee on the Scottish Govt Handling of Harassment Complaints
Dear Ms Fabiani and Committee Members,
We have now had the opportunity to consult on Friday evening and over the weekend with our client on your clerk’s latest emails of Friday afternoon. Those followed the convener’s letter informing us that you do not intend to publish our client’s submission on the Ministerial Code, a submission which was sent to you on December 31st and which was carefully considered by this firm, and by Counsel, prior to submission.
Your latest communications and the decision not to publish exemplify the confusion and legal difficulties created by the Committee and which now plainly undermine the capacity of the Committee to fulfil the remit set by Parliament.
The Scottish Government seems determined to pile insult upon injury to the Scottish people in relation to the inquiry into its botched stitch-up of Alex Salmond.
A shocking story in today’s Sunday Mail reveals that in addition to wasting in excess of £1 million on the initial unlawful investigation, untold millions on a criminal prosecution and trial, and £55,000 on coaching its inquiry witnesses (so badly that almost all of them were forced to return to the inquiry to subsequently “correct” their evidence), it’s also spent thousands of pounds of your money on lawyers to successfully prevent one of the key witnesses appearing at all.
Possibly because the witness in question doesn’t exist.
We’re absurdly touched by your response to the daft wee joke fundraiser we set up this week to raise £50 over a court case. We’re going to have to drink a LOT of fancy gin now. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, at a time when a lot of very good causes are also raising money. We’ll help some of them out from the proceeds.
We can’t help thinking, though, that at a very stressful time for the Yes movement a lot of people were just enjoying the chance to have a bit of much-needed fun. So allow us to offer our extra-special thanks to some unexpected benefactors.
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.
It’s safe to say, readers, that our light-hearted new impromptu fundraiser has well and truly unhinged a few members of Scotland’s unhappiest community: the WokeNats.
Mark Beggan on How Far To Go, How Far: “The politically correct voice of the chattering class is foaming at the mouth!” Dec 12, 19:09
Hatey McHateface on Strike One: “Channeling your inner hatstand there, Northy.” Dec 12, 18:58
Northcode on Strike One: ““Good idea, Northy…” Yes. I thought so, too. Hey! Didn’t I just dismiss you from this place? Begone, rascal -…” Dec 12, 18:54
Mark Beggan on How Far To Go, How Far: “Children of the revolution. (TRex)” Dec 12, 18:47
agentx on How Far To Go, How Far: “Do you agree or disagree with the UK Supreme Court decision that a trans man should not be included on…” Dec 12, 18:39
Mark Beggan on How Far To Go, How Far: “The ‘elite’ pish and shit like everyone else.” Dec 12, 18:35
Hatey McHateface on Strike One: “Good idea, Northy. I can see how finding something new to say has been taking its toll on you James…” Dec 12, 18:34
Lorncal on How Far To Go, How Far: “AI makes mistakes. Of that there is no doubt. However, if you examine closely the kinds of mistakes that were…” Dec 12, 18:32
Northcode on Strike One: “I’m bored of you now… you are dismissed. Go away, Pantless slave… get some sleep and prepare for tomorrow’s Extreme…” Dec 12, 18:27
Mark Beggan on How Far To Go, How Far: “Me thinks these legal minds are hooked on ECHR like a crackhead.” Dec 12, 18:21
twathater on How Far To Go, How Far: “Unfortunately this judge and judgement is indicative of what to expect in Scotland and elsewhere in 2025 , there is…” Dec 12, 18:16
Hatey McHateface on Strike One: “Puir auld Northy. Doomed to be forever trying, and failing, to fathom out the alien, imposed values of the oppressive,…” Dec 12, 18:08
Northcode on Strike One: ““Anally obsessed” … I think I might adopt that as my new term to describe the arseholes who wander aboot…” Dec 12, 18:06
Hatey McHateface on How Far To Go, How Far: “Exactly as predicted by (checks notes) Fanon, Mark. Of course, fascism is seemingly on the rise in the Good Ol’…” Dec 12, 17:58
Northcode on Strike One: “Thanks, Captain. Your words of comfort and your kindness in sharing them will be remembered come the revolution… when us…” Dec 12, 17:55
Hatey McHateface on Strike One: “Careful, Alf. It looks like AI slop is finding its way into your posts as well.” Dec 12, 17:48
Hatey McHateface on How Far To Go, How Far: ““Scotland’s justice system has always fiercely defended its independence from political interference”. More shite from the Record. It’s as if…” Dec 12, 17:42
Alf Baird on How Far To Go, How Far: ““We know from Wings passim that Scotland in 2025 is a country where pretty much nobody is actually responsible or…” Dec 12, 17:42
Mark Beggan on How Far To Go, How Far: “Reform win first Scottish by-election. Fascism is on the he rise.” Dec 12, 17:40
Northcode on Strike One: “What makes you think Jay was talking about you? You aren’t mentioned at all. You’re so vain I bet you…” Dec 12, 17:38
Dan on Strike One: “Aye, but a trans woman (Oh fuck this pandering to the delusion) bloke with a degree of masochistic tendencies might…” Dec 12, 17:30
Hatey McHateface on Strike One: “Bacofoil and wardrobes. The enforced alien accoutrements of the coloniser, willingly adopted by no true Sovereign Scot. A bit like…” Dec 12, 17:30
Alf Baird on Strike One: “‘canna’ ser twa maisters” Dec 12, 17:27
Hatey McHateface on Strike One: ““Anally obsessed” says Jay, following on in the footsteps of Northy. As the other boy used to say, every accusation…” Dec 12, 17:22
PC Foster on Strike One: “Dr Upton aired some of his medical beliefs during this tribunal that demonstrate that he is clearly not fit to…” Dec 12, 16:55
Alf Baird on Strike One: ““The Scottish judges sit under the Crown of England, not the Crown of Scotland” This appears as an inevitable reality…” Dec 12, 16:15
Michael P on How Far To Go, How Far: “Breathtaking – that Tribunal Judge has written himself into a whole world of trouble. It is a real concern that…” Dec 12, 15:44
100%Yes on How Far To Go, How Far: “My understanding is you can only make an appeal if you have a point of law. The judge might have…” Dec 12, 15:44
Rev. Stuart Campbell on How Far To Go, How Far: “I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN” Dec 12, 15:42
