In the chamber
And so the SNP pursues matters arising from the departure of the Glasgow Council leader Steven Purcell in the most straightforward manner possible - in the city chambers itself.
The SNP group on the council wants a full statement from the Labour leadership on the authority and an independent investigation.
Into what, precisely?
There, inevitably, a slight vagueness descends. SNP councillors reply, with some justification, that they cannot be certain what, if anything, has gone awry until an inquiry is held.
But, for starters, they want information as to who knew what - and when - with regard to Mr Purcell's personal crisis; what was done with that information; what impact, if any, these personal developments had upon council decisions.
Further, they question the operation of the arms length institutions set up by the council under Mr Purcell.
SNP questions
(Whenever I hear the phrase "arms length", I cannot help thinking of the government minister who was facing tough questions over the doings of a particular quango.
Challenged as to whether it would maintain its "arms length" status, he replied: "Yes. Just a shorter arm.")
Labour's response to the SNP questions. Go away and stop asking such exasperating questions.
They say the Purcell affair is a personal tragedy, that there has been no malfeasance, that Glasgow is a well-run authority and that the SNP complaints amount to a political smear campaign.
UPDATE AT 1654: The city council, with its Labour majority, has voted against holding an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Steven Purcell's departure.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~57~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
Brian you say "that the SNP complaints amount to a political smear campaign."
And lunchgate etc wasn't? Do Labour really believe that the electorate are ingorant fools and will swallow this claptrap? Whilst Mr Purcell's situation may indeed be a personal tragedy it is nevertheless right and proper that questions are asked and I sincerely hope that answers are forthcoming and that it is not brushed under the carpet.
In my own line of work there is a zero tolerance on drugs and alcohol, people are regularly tested due to health and safety issues, as someone in a place of significant authority such as Mr Purcell surely a policy of zero tolerance should be mandatory.
Complain about this comment
"Into what, precisely?" -
That's right Brian, whats all this fuss about nothing.
Complain about this comment
"But, for starters, they want information as to who knew what - and when - with regard to Mr Purcell's personal crisis; what was done with that information; what impact, if any, these personal developments had upon council decisions".
Yes let's have some of that! With FOI's our "Free" press can access and chase all sorts of worthy stuff. But when the discussions take place in the Friday drinking club (of which members of our "free" press were in attendance) FOI's don't apply and an inqusitive press does not operate.
So let's get the stones overturned and have a deek underneath. After all if there's nothing to hide, there's nothing to fear!!!! Eh boys and girls??
Complain about this comment
#1: Skintybroko
Ah but you don't work in the public sector and therefore only raise the money, as opposed to spending it; possibly under the influence of illegal (note the word) substances and again possibly under risk of blackmail, due to your position of authority.
He should be charged and prosecuted under The Law; as you or I would be if visited by the Polis under the same circumstances.
White-lines and white-wash, pure and simple.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Although certainly sad, the personal circumstances of Mr Purcell are obviously an unavoidable factor in this, and using them as a defence shield to hide behind in order to avoid serious justified questions is not on. I can understand the stress of holding down such a position taking its toll, but having been in the position for a reasonable amount of time we, and especially Glaswegians, need to have questions answered about his conduct whilst he was in the job. His private conduct has certainly compromised his very public position, so this area should not be avoided due to deliberately mis-placed mock sympathy. And, given this conduct, a full inquiry must be held into his working practices, processes of awarding contracts and all decisions he made whilst in office. Accusations of a smear campaign are infantile, given that Mr Purcell is the architect of his own demise by his own admission in his interview given to the Sun of all papers. I must say that the lack of investigative journalism on this huge story, the bland wishy-washy questions and the middle-of-the-road (arms-length) stance taken by the media is baffling to say the least!
Complain about this comment
#4 gt-cri
Agreed that in the circumstances he should have been charged and prosecuted, especially when it had already come to the attention of the police directly and not as a result of random testing which could be dealt with differently.
Complain about this comment
£25 MILLION BAIL OUT
Complain about this comment
Today's Herald has a detailed story on Cronyism in Glasgow Council which centres on the arms length organisations.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/revealed-cronyism-at-heart-of-purcell-s-council-1.1017770
Complain about this comment
From the BBC story.
"The motion from SNP Councillor James Dornan asked the council to note recent events and recognise "that the lack of clarity over events at a senior level risks damaging the reputation of Glasgow City Council".
It asked the authority to agree "that public trust can only be restored by being open and honest about what has happened".
Mr Dornan's motion also asked that the council "resolves that in order to move forward and put these damaging events behind us, a full statement is made by the acting leader".
.......
Seems a reasonable and a pragmatic way to restore credibility in the council, which has obviously been shaken.
Unfortunately that is not the view of the Labour group in the council who have rejected the motion, and voted for their amendment which roughly translates as....
"Everything is fine - no need to worry, no need to investigate. We're fine. Honest. Please don't concern yourselves. Don't ask any more questions. Don't look over there. Look over here instead - it's so much nicer"
Complain about this comment
Well there's a surprise, the Labour dominated council vote not to have an inquiry. At least when the likes of Elmer casts aspersions etc an independent body looks into the accusations and exonerates the accused. This on the other hand is self preservation, no change, move along, we know what's best for you.
Complain about this comment
" the SNP complaints amount to a political smear campaign"
AND what exactly has the labour party in Scotland contributed to every and any debate in Scotland in the past few years .
oh yes political smear campaigns!!!!
each and every one of which has failed to deliver the result they wanted.
they shouldn't judge other people by their own low standards now should they!
Sid
Complain about this comment
This is a joke, The people of glasgow need to know the true facts, what is the difference between a member of the public taking (Supposidly) cocaine and stephen purcell and for this nonsense he was stressed and feeling lonely. Millions of people each day are stressed and some people have more difficult circumstances than him and do not hit the white bags. He is a joke and should be prosecuted are we not stepping into dangerous ground where an councillor is above the law, if he did make decisions under the influence of drugs, he should be prosecuted and the people of glasgow should know after all
WHO PAID HIS WAGES !!!!!
Complain about this comment
Judgement day at Glasgow City Council, SNP ask for independent investigation into council activities, who are the people who got jobs and contracts?
Complain about this comment
Well I can think of a few questions without too much thinking about it. Purcell has confessed to being in possession of a banned drug. If it had been me who had confessed to such possesion would the Police force allowed me to get away with it? He has confessed to multiple use of a banned drug, would the Police let me get away with such a confession? Is it only self confessed Council Leaders the Police turn a blind eye to or is it any councillor? Have any Glasgow Council employees ever been sacked for drug abuse? If so why was Purcell not made to resign for his known abuse? If other known drug abusers employed by Glasgow Council have not been sacked, why not? All that before we start asking about his sources for the drugs and why Glasgow Police have not followed up on these drug dealers who supplied Purcell. Then there are questions about any effects upon his decisions, and those of other Councillors who took no action.
Complain about this comment
The next Tory Government in Westminster has to deal with the Labour Party's shadow government which is an essential part of corrupt Britain
Complain about this comment
The motion from SNP Councillor James Dornan asks the council to note recent events and recognise "that the lack of clarity over events at a senior level risks damaging the reputation of Glasgow City Council".
Seems to me a reasonable request from the opposition on GCC to request the governing labour party provide transparency on the departure of it's leader and the events leading up to that departure. It would be bizarre in the extreme if the SNP and others said nothing.
One minute this man is the answer to all labour's problems in Scotland, a future leader of labour in Scotland. The next minute he has been vanished off the scene to Australia is story is being relayed to his constituents courtesy of the “rip roar away” organ of Rupert Murdoch (how apt!).
The greatest sadness in this whole affair is that no matter how much contempt labour dish out to the folk of Glasgow, Glasgow will return labour MPs.
This in a nutshell is the root cause of Glasgow's problems, city politicians do not need to perform or produce to get re-elected. Consequently Glasgow continues to lag behind the health and environmental improvements seen elsewhere.
Lastly, I have yet to hear or see people knock Glasgow, but it is high time the folk of Glasgow knocked the labour party into electoral oblivion!
C McK
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Purcellgate questions:
1. Who in the Labour party knew of Purcell's personal problems, and when? It seems that No.10 were aware back in 2008.
2. Who in Glasgow city council knew of Purcell's personal problems, and when? Council officials were in attendence when officers from the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement agency interviewed Purcell in 2009.
3. Who in the council's arms length institutions knew of Purcell's personal problems, and when?
4. Who in the local business sector knew of Purcell's personal problems, and when?
5. Who in the media knew of Purcell's personal problems, and when? Purcell was friends of both the Scottish Sun and Herald editors
6. Who attended Purcell's Friday Lunch club?
7. Will Purcell be prosecuted for taking an illegal substance?
There is of huge public interest, but as we see the most damning indictment is of the Scottish media who simply refuse to pursue this story.
Utterly shameful episode.
Complain about this comment
The biggest joke is now that GCC have voted against holding an enquiry...... into themselves.
Surprise surprise.
Complain about this comment
There's a theory called Nominal Determinism. It states that a person's actions and career are influenced by the meaning of their name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominative_determinism
Purcell comes from Norman French pourcel which is the diminutive of the word for pig. Pourcel is Norman French for "little trougher".
I just felt the need to point that out.
Complain about this comment
Speaking of clarity
Why is it Blether with Brian blogs get shot down for comment so quickly when Blogs from Nick Robinson of over a week ago are still open?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I work in the voluntary sector in Glasgow and I know exactly how corrupt, self serving and, to be frank, criminal some of our councillors are. It saddens me immensely that there are no journalists prepared to investigate their skull duggery apart from The Digger.
What has happened to Steven Purcell may be a tragedy to him but it is not anything that earns my sympathy. The leader of our council takes drugs on the job and gets visited by the police to warn him that other people know about him taking drugs (is this a service the police offer to all criminals about to be discovered?). So far no part of this story endears Mr Purcell to me.
He walks out of his job with no warning, instructing his lawyers to sue anyone who says he was taking drugs as leaves to get treatment for drug taking before abandoning the country altogether. What part of this inglorious debacle is meant to invoke my sympathy?
The tragedy of all this for Glasweigans is not finding out the grubby secrets of our former council leader but the fact that this catalogue of crimes, lies and scandal is being regarded by some of our media as a baseless witch hunt of a good man. Purcell dishonoured himself, thought so little of his job or his employers that he couldn't stay sober on the job and consistently lied to Glasweigans.
The fact that no-one in the media has gone after City Building buying space at the Labour party conference and contributing funds to the labour party shows exactly who runs the press in this country.
Have we given up? Do we really not believe that we deserve better than this from our politicians and press? Or do we just have to accept that those who make it to the top of Scottish Labours (very) greasy pole are rarified beasts who can indulge themselves however they like and we should just be grateful to have them?
Complain about this comment
"They say the Purcell affair is a personal tragedy, that there has been no malfeasance, that Glasgow is a well-run authority and that the SNP complaints amount to a political smear campaign."
If the council is that well run then they have nothing to hide from an investigation.
This all sounds just like the independence referendum, if you are so sure you will win (unionist parties) then agree to the referendum.
Complain about this comment
At least the SNP are actually asking questions in thier capacity as not only the opposition to labour in the council, but as citizens of Glasgow.
We in Aberdeen have had the former planning convenor of the City Council reported to the Procurator Fiscal just yesterday on suspicion financial misconduct in a public office. If he'd cited tragic kleptomania as a recourse for his actions (which he hasn't, as he has denied any wrongdoing) would we be happy just to turn a blind eye to it? The answer is NO.
The difference here is evidence and as far as I can see, all the SNP are asking is for an investigation to establish whether there is any. The more Labour resist, the more they look like there is something to hide.
And yes, calling it a smear-campaign is rich coming from the authors of lunchgate, the balmoral public path debacle, the SNP hates Glasgow slogans and all other sundry nonesense you timid beeb journo's seem to revel in.
Complain about this comment
9. cwh
"Today's Herald has a detailed story on Cronyism in Glasgow Council which centres on the arms length organisations.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/revealed-cronyism-at-heart-of-purcell-s-council-1.1017770
"
The wages bill for the dozen or so arm’s-length bodies (Aleos) set up by Mr Purcell during his time as leader ran to almost £400,000 over what it would have cost to pay councillors had the services remained in-house.
I may be forced to start reading The Herald again. I must admit that apparently the criticism they received has apparently caused them to turn loose at least some of their journalists. There are some out there who are capable of and WANT to do their job when their bosses allow them to!
So hats off to The Herald (at least for the moment).
Now when are a few OTHER Scottish news organizations going to follow suit and start telling the people of Scotland the truth instead of reading from Labour party press releases?
Complain about this comment
24. Lummy
"(is this a service the police offer to all criminals about to be discovered?)."
I keep asking that same question. No one seems prepared to answer it.
Complain about this comment
It's reassuringly predictable to see BBC Scotland once again giving comfort to the Labour Party.
Complain about this comment
THE boss of Scotland's largest local authority earns MORE than the First Minister, a survey reveals today.
Interesting.
Complain about this comment
Again - quoting the BBC story
"Glasgow City Council has voted against holding an inquiry into its own actions under former leader Steven Purcell.
An SNP motion asking for an independent investigation into "the practices and recent decisions of the council" failed to win enough support.
Instead, the Labour-dominated council backed an amendment which said there was no need for an inquiry."
.............
This smacks of self preservation by Labour.
In another place and time, I remember when the Speaker refused repeated attempts to allow public scrutiny of parliamentary expenses. There was no need for any inquiry there either as I recall.
It stunk then, it stinks now.
This has to be pursued by all who value democracy and the meaning of public service. It particularly should be pursued by the people of Glasgow.
Complain about this comment
On another thread the subject of the fact that British political programs are not available outside the UK, and 'your' and 'freedom' came up. If anyone needs to discuss this, I'm sure it can be openly discussed at quirky. =)
I do question BBC's attempt to keep the UK political debate from being seen outside their borders and wonder why they make such an odd choice.
Complain about this comment
Glasgow council chief earns more than First Minister
The Tory survey, obtained using freedom of information, also revealed that Glasgow City Council has 410 staff who earn between £50,000 and £70,000.
Complain about this comment
And there we have it, the stony wall of silence that characterises Labours 10 years in power.
Labour Majority = evasion of justice
You couldn't make this stuff up.
Complain about this comment
Well ain't that just such a surprise. No it's not an April Foll - just Glasgow labour doing what Glasgow labour does. Will the media throw off their shackles and start to dig deeper - even The Herald at last seem to have an eye on their sales figures.
Isn't it a dull day without Elmer getting his weekly drubbing at FMQs. Had to watch the cricket this afternoon. What plans for next week Brian? With politics on hold, unless someone calls an election, are you going to let us blether away for a while?
Complain about this comment
GLASGOW LABOUR COONCIL-------------NO INQUIRY
AUDIT SCOTLAND---------------------NO INQUIRY
STRATHCLYDE POLICE-----------------NO INQUIRY
COVER UP---------------------------OF COURSE NOT
Complain about this comment
They say the Purcell affair is a personal tragedy, that there has been no malfeasance, that Glasgow is a well-run authority and that the SNP complaints amount to a political smear campaign.
Doubtless it was/is a "personal tragedy". And so long as it was no more than that I for one preferred to refrain from comment. But things have moved on. Questions are being asked - and not only by the SNP. There are issues here which go to the heart of good governance in Scotland's largest city. This cannot help but be of concern to all the good citizens of Glasgow. The British Labour Party's refusal to address these concerns is a disgrace and evidence, if such were needed, that they have lost none of their arrogance.
The hypocrisy of the BLP complaining about a supposed "smear campaign" is just too smelly to touch.
Complain about this comment
#7 & #15: If he'd admitted having a substance-abuse "problem", he'd most likely have been suspended (on full pay) and sent to the same de-tox hideaway (at tax-payer's expense), so we do have some thanks to give the man...oops, is my sarcasm showing?
Anyhoo; I guess we are all preaching to the disgusted as far as this story goes. Unless someone is going to stick their neck out & defend his or GCC's stance on this?
Thought not.
Complain about this comment
Looks like the mods change shift at 5pm and the evening shift never showed!
Complain about this comment
From the time when we were not allowed to mention his name, I still think of him as Culvert Spleen.
Complain about this comment
Labour votes not to investigate labour. Hardly an April fool.
However someone is certainly telling porkies:
Purcell Stated that after the police warning he told his close colleagues of the situation.
Then as quote dy the BBC today we have the acting Council leader with:
"Mr Coleman said he was shocked at revelations Mr Purcell was a cocaine user"
So is he shocked that the secret was revealed?
Certainly Purcell stated he knew.
Complain about this comment
1. skintybroko
"Do Labour really believe that the electorate are ingorant fools and will swallow this claptrap? "
Do you really want an honest answer to that question?
Judging by their behavior, one is forced to conclude that is EXACTLY what Labour thinks.
The question is: Are they right?
Complain about this comment
"IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE - YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR". This was labour's quote not so long ago, parrotted ad nauseum by their friends in the media.
What have the glasgow labour councillors got to hide ? As if we haven't guessed.
Complain about this comment
25. loveme2times
""They say the Purcell affair is a personal tragedy, that there has been no malfeasance, that Glasgow is a well-run authority and that the SNP complaints amount to a political smear campaign."
If the council is that well run then they have nothing to hide from an investigation."
Well, apparently they DO since they voted down an investigation.
"Move along folks, nothing to see", as they slam the door.
Complain about this comment
It looks like "Hard Questions", "I just make it up" and "scoop" have failed miserably to investigate labour - again !
"Truth and reconciliation" cannot come soon enough.
Complain about this comment
I think George Laird is right that an independent investigation is sorely needed at Glasgow City Council. People have a right to know. His question much repeated on his blog of where have the people of Glasgow's millions gone and to whom is appropriate. I am now wondering who the Labour Party via the Council have been giving jobs and contracts too. Nicola Sturgeon says a light needs shining, people better bring plenty batteries.
Complain about this comment
Now look what you big bad Nats have done.
That nice Mr Nick Robinsons blog has been closed to comments. That was after under 13 hours.
Complain about this comment
Last post moderated at 17:36
Time now 19:18
Hardly a quality service BBC.
Complain about this comment
35. heraldnomore
"With politics on hold, unless someone calls an election, are you going to let us blether away for a while?"
I doubt it. We might get out of hand and discuss *gasp of horror* Scottish politics.
Complain about this comment
The Labour group should have voted for an enquiry. This is critical to show that the residents of Glasgow were not adversely affected by any decisions that may have been made in abnormal circumstances.
It would also silence their critics by showing that they are prepared to open up information etc etc.
Salmond has done this when allegations have been made against him, so why can't they?
It makes things worse rather than better.
Complain about this comment
31. dear_wendy
"In another place and time, I remember when the Speaker refused repeated attempts to allow public scrutiny of parliamentary expenses. There was no need for any inquiry there either as I recall.
It stunk then, it stinks now."
Here's freedom to them that wad read,
Here's freedom to them that wad write,
There's nane ever fear'd that the truth should be heard,
But they whom the truth would indict.
Truer words were never spoken.
Complain about this comment
51. JRMacClure
PS. I fear that my comment #51 also applies to BBC moderation of late.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Glasgow Labour Party's political patronage shows Labour runs Glasgow for the personal finanical benefit of Councillors, it must be investigated
The City of Glasgow is run by the Labour Party for benefit of the Labour Party.
Complain about this comment
#9 cwh
Is the Purcell affair a dam waiting to burst? The Herald, a wee bitty late out of the blocks on this story, seems to making up for its late start. If it maintains this standard of investigative reporting on a story that was controlled and massaged from the outset it might, just might, justify its former ‘Quality Broadsheet’ tag. Only time will tell.
Complain about this comment
Glasgow City Labour party has been riddled with corruption for years. The newspapers should get their reporters to search the archives for years past. Scams and kickbacks have been a way of life for too many people for years. Bungs for council houses, bungs for contracts, nepotism going back for years. Does anyone else remember Councillor Cathleen Cantley and sums of money changing hands in an Italian restaurant in St Vincent Street? I believe that was to do with the allocation of housing. Back in the 70s if I remember correctly. As others have mentioned, the sad thing is that the people keep voting for these crooks. No wonder they are closing ranks to protect Steven Purcell, a proper enquiry would unearth too many dirty secrets.
Complain about this comment
What seems to me a pretty blatant attack by the leader of the LibDems on the right to strike--by a non-essential non-nationlized company at that.
Any comments? Being at least generally (when they're not corrupt as they tend to be in the US) pro-union and pretty-unacquainted with YOUR labor laws, it's hard for me to judge. My reaction was quite nagative. I saw it as an attack on the right to strike in general, but maybe I'm wrong--or maybe that is becoming as popular a stance over there as it is in the US?
Any thoughts?
Complain about this comment
It seems that the people with all the cards may be playing a holding game until the election, when the dam will burst with the Labour Party safely ensconced.
The Herald article is very damning of GCC. Maybe the full story is already on the point of breaking.
Can we depend on the Sunday Herald?
Complain about this comment
I wonder if I made a complaint to Lothian and Borders Police of a criminal conspiracy between [allegedly] corrupt elements of the Labour Party in Glasgow, The City of Glasgow Council, Underworld Gangsters, the West Coast Media and Strathclydes finest would, given they don't have a particular finger in this stinking pile, feel inclined to investigate?
Maybes Aye, Maybe Naw but as you get nothing by asking the local Politburo to honestly investigate itself, and you don't get the various arms of Isvestia [BBC] or Pravda [Record] undertaking serious investigative journalism, nor can you expect the local NKVD [Strathclyde Branch]to act like a real police force so what options do you have when the 'Party' close things down.
Glasgow needs Glasnost but what it is getting is the Stasi approach to local government and democracy.
Time for outside investigators to be parachuted in [it worked in Grenada]
Complain about this comment
57. JRMacClure
"Any thoughts?"
Since Clegg has said the SNP are irrelevant in Westminster just like the Conservatives in Edinburgh. Cons have 17 seats um Lib Dems have 16 seats I wonder who will tell Tavish that he is irrelevant says a lot about that party. hat tip SNP Tactical Voting.
Complain about this comment
Purcell's diary has to be public property and as such a FOI request might help in finding who went to the Friday meetings as it was in firms time.
Complain about this comment
#55 tullibardine
I would like to think that the Herald was coming good at last but the story accompanying the article seems to spend as much time criticising the SNP counillors on the AEOLs as they do Labour and accuse the SNP of taking tens of thousands of pounds.
The Herald article put the cost of the AEOLs at £4000,000 over what it would have cost to pay the councillors if the services had stayed in-house.
From the info in the paper the total sum for 12 SNP councillors is just over £65,000 and of those 12, two do not get paid anything. Two Lib/Dems get £12,670 between them which leaves 52 Labour Councillors accounting for hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The salaries for Councillors who sit in the 'cabinet' range from £30,000 to £50,000.
I am sure Glasgow is not the only council to arrange things in order to 'pad out' the salaries of councillors by creating posts of 'special responsibility' to justify increased payments but I doubt other councils do it on this scale.
Complain about this comment
They say the Purcell affair is a personal tragedy
The death of Natasha Paton is a genuine personal tragedy, but we have the BBC filming teenage boys crying outside the church and asking the head why the trip was allowed to go ahead in the first place.
It's a shame they aren't pursuing GCC with the same vigour.
Complain about this comment
There are some very good councillors from all parties out there in Scotland, but there are also some useless ones. But because we live in a democracy, we can try and get rid of the useless ones. But that means help from the media to expose those who cause problems in a community.
Complain about this comment
60.
If the SNP are "as irrelevant" as the Tories in Holyrood with 17/129 seats then that should equate to about 80/646 seats.
That means that 20 seats will be worth 228/646.
Complain about this comment
CORRECTION to #62
The figure should BE £400,000 over what it would have cost to pay the councillors if the services had stayed in-house.
Sorry - errant pinkie - must try to type with all fingers.
Complain about this comment
#64. At 9:58pm on 01 Apr 2010, enneffess wrote:"There are some very good councillors from all parties out there in Scotland, but there are also some useless ones",
Aye! There are some good councillors in Scotland. There should be some in GCC too. So why are those good Councillors now so reticent? Steven Purcell has confessed his quilt so there is now no good reason to defend him. Just why so backward at comming forward now? Are there others equally, or even more, guilty of infractions being protected?
Complain about this comment
BBC Newsnight Scotland with Gordon Brewer is covering GCC tonight 11pm
Complain about this comment
#68 Raisethegame
BBC Reporting Scotland (10:30pm) also had a decent piece on today's council meeting. The journalist's closing remark
"BUSINESS as usual"
was uttered with a somewhat sarcastic tone.
Are the BBC finally waking up on this story?
Better late than never I guess.
Complain about this comment
"What specifically do you want to investigate?" is apparently the question.
Here's a few to start with.
Scrutinise the letting of contracts from Council and ALEOS for adherence to procurement law?
Investigate who knew about Stephen Purcell's "situation" prior to his resignation?
Investigate who may have had opportunity to blackmail Stephen Purcell, externally or internally to the council?
Scrutinise the extent to which ALEO executive positions were publicly advertised, or given to the best available candidates?
Feel free to add.
Complain about this comment
The media are quick to diminish Purcell's actions as a 'personal tragedy'
They are not.
If I was drunk and ran my car into a child it would be a 'personal tragedy' for me and me only. For everyone else it would be a criminal act and deservidly punished by the full powers of the law.
Advice about the dangers of drugs have been in the public domain for decades and Purcell took the decision himself to pick up and use these drugs.
The biggest tragedy is the tragedy of the people of Glasgow who are left to live in deprivation and squallor whilst Purcell and his cronies are lording it up.
Complain about this comment
#45 Astonished
"It looks like "Hard Questions", "I just make it up" and "scoop" have failed miserably to investigate labour - again !
"Truth and reconciliation" cannot come soon enough".
No my friend, nothing short of truth and the sack can come quick enough for these people.
Complain about this comment
Unbelievable! I've just watched Gordon Brewer on Newsnight Scotland conduct a investigation into why the GCC isn't having an inquiry into the purcell affair. He asked good penetrating questions, albiet to the Lib-Dem councillor in charge of the gravy train Purcell set up. No sign of a Labour councillor but at least he didn't try to blame the SNP! I'm still pinching myself, I can't believe the BBC has actually covered this, they've been trying their best to ignore it for weeks now.
What would be really amazing, is if they could explain why a public figure, who has admitted to taking class A drugs while in office, is now only just being treated as the news story it should be? Can anyone in the Beeb explain this?
Complain about this comment
What was the criteria that Strathclyde Police, Audit Scotland and Glasgow City Council used to decide there was no reason for further inquiries?
As has been noted above if there is nothing to hide then there is nothing to fear, and besides, when have we ever known any inquiry in this country to come up with anything other than a complete and utter whitewash?
Complain about this comment
# 55 Tulibardine
"The Herald, a wee bitty late out of the blocks on this story, seems to making up for its late start. If it maintains this standard of investigative reporting on a story that was controlled and massaged from the outset it might, just might, justify its former ‘Quality Broadsheet’ tag. Only time will tell".
I'd like to think so BUT since they were involved in the Friday Glasow first club, it'll take a change of the editorial team before I believe it. They have let Scotland down on this - have a swatch a Kenneth Roy's article in the Scottish review (if you have not done so already)
Complain about this comment
#71
Harry, the SNP supporters seem at a loss, without their big smoking gun as a natural protest party.
Whether it's a Monica Lewinsky moment or an Iraq cry, or a snortgate scandal, the nats always seem to highlight a scandal and ignore the election real!.
Know what I mean Harry!.
Complain about this comment
#58 Hamish 42
"Can we depend on the Sunday Herald?"
No, they'll be too busy banging on about how our coal fired power stations are killing farmers in Malawi.
Complain about this comment
#62 CWK
"I would like to think that the Herald was coming good at last but the story accompanying the article seems to spend as much time criticising the SNP counillors on the AEOLs as they do Labour and accuse the SNP of taking tens of thousands of pounds."
YEEEEES (as Mr paxman used to say), it was an interesting slant - focus on the tens of thousands while the hundreds of thousands slip by. Of course being a member of the Friday club means you have to play by the club rules!!!!
Complain about this comment
#21. InfrequentAllele2
Purcell comes from Norman French pourcel which is the diminutive of the word for pig. Pourcel is Norman French for "little trougher".
And there was me thinking it was a variant of Persil. After all, when it comes to white powder nothing washes whiter.
Complain about this comment
73. At 11:33pm on 01 Apr 2010, gentlemanheelander.
Yep. Stand by for an'SNP councillor buys a packet of crisps' scandal tomorrow as the mafia leans on the media to protect the crims.
Complain about this comment
I have have felt for months that this was the, sadly usual, story of Glasgow City Council-a body that allows no-one in to their proceedings. This council has been in so many ways a cesspit of rumours, allegations, donors, contracts and boys taking drugs yet no investigating journalist wanted to shake this story till the secrets fell out. This council has a budget of over 2 billion in a city with desperate levels of deprivation and it looks as if they were all snouts in the trough for however long it would last. Can we plesase keep up a clamour till this lot are forced to bring some daylight into this mess? I wonder how it would have gone down if it had been Boris Johnston?
Complain about this comment
I cannot think of any reason why Stephen Purcell was not charged. Any wee ned would have been charged and the police apparently had all the proof they needed in this case. I suspect if there was some concentration on this point a lot more would come into view. It would perhaps be very informative to know who, or which gang, supplied him. And we still don't know what happened in the very few hours that caused Purcell to fall apart.
The more the Labour party closes ranks the more popular suspicion will grow.
Complain about this comment
If the gentleman from GCC is to be believed, the request for an enquiry was not backed up by any serious arguments as to why it should be conducted. Surely a case could and should have been put together and made public.
It seems from the interview on Newsnight Scotland that there will be some kind of enquiry within GCC and the reports, when they come out, will be in the public domain. The Councillor gave an object lesson on how to control an interview.
Complain about this comment
In spite of Clegg spouting to the contrary, it looks more and more obvious that the LibDems have struck a deal to support Labour. On Question Time last night and in the Chancellors debate they were ganging up on the Tories.
Complain about this comment
80. Harry Stottle
"Yep. Stand by for an'SNP councillor buys a packet of crisps' scandal tomorrow as the mafia leans on the media to protect the crims."
I'm sure the media and Labour can do better than that. Surely they can catch one under-tipping in a cafe. Taking a taxi and causing excess pollution. I'm sure they'll find something.
Complain about this comment
74. At 11:36pm on 01 Apr 2010, universality of cheese wrote:
"What was the criteria that Strathclyde Police, Audit Scotland and Glasgow City Council used to decide there was no reason for further inquiries?"
The problem for the SNP here is that most definitely Audit Scotland and perhaps a lesser extent Strathclyde Police both come under the Scottish Government. So you would have to direct enquiries to the Messrs Swinney and MacAskil. (I carry out non-financial audits and Audit Scotland would, as they have stated, require evidence to carry out an investigation).
However, Glasgow City Council can obviously do what they like, as the Scottish Government can do little here.
On Mr Purcell and his admission about taking illegal drugs - where did he get them?
Complain about this comment
The reason for the investigation, "presicely", would be Mr. Purcell's admitted cocaine use during a period when he was the leader of Glasgow City Council. Cocaine is a mind-altering and addictive drug. I thought this was common knowledge. According to the police, there was also the possibility he left himself susceptible to blackmail as a result of his use.
If Gordon Brown was caught taking cocaine during his time as Prime Minister, would that question have been asked? "An investigation into what?" What about Alex Salmond? Would we still be puzzling over what to investigate?
No. It's obvious why an investigation into such a situation where a public individual's judgement has potentially been compromised and/or impaired, no matter WHO it is.
Complain about this comment
#84
The LibDems will be going at the Tories to prevent the Tories having the expevted overall majority which neuters the LibDems. There is no possibility ofthe Labour Party having an overall majority. LibDemsa would prefer thw Tories to be in the same position.
I believe the turnout will be low leading to some strange results but I also suspect the tendency for a bigger proportion of Labour voters to stay at home when things are not going well for Labour to give the Tories a very substantial victory.
The only opinion polls worth considering are those who only record the intention of those who actually intend to vote and those put the Tories very far ahead.
Complain about this comment
Anyone listen to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2. Celebratign Abdel Basset Ali Al-Megrahi's birthday by having on a doctor who confessd to know nothing of the details of the case, and Dr. Richard Simpson, not an observer without a political point of view
The only comments read were Anti-SNP/SG, two of the "I am ashamed" variety and one conspiracy theory that the SG set him free to save themselves being embarrassed by jailing an innocent man
Nothing of the statements made earlier this week by Dr. Jim Swire that trying to hold anyone to account on a prognosis is foolish, and that he was not offended by the decision to release him on a compassionate licence.
Jeremy Vine is like Radio 2's Kaye Adams with the addition of a slant and emotional tilts to the voice that leave a nasty feeling on the listener
Complain about this comment
Nothing less than an independent inquiry will do into GCC. Of course labour councillors voted against it but can't the Scottish government over-rule that?
Complain about this comment
Haha! Over on SNP Tactical voting Jeff pointed out that if as according to Nick Clegg the LibDem, the party leader, "The truth is the SNP is as irrelevant in London as the Conservatives are in Edinburgh" since in Holyrood the Conservatives are "irrelevant" WHAT does that make the Scottish LibDems--who have FEWER MSPs?
Would you call that doubly irrelevant?
Now I happen to think that it is rather a slap in the face of democracy and the democratic process to call any party irrelevant--but what does it say when he says he OWN party in Scotland is?
Amazing. Really amazing.
Complain about this comment
91. JRMacClure
Ps. I'm wrong. It's not amazing. It's downright hilarious.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
# 185 WestCountryScot Last Blog
I noticed that you used terms like 'think' when quoting figures, yet no links to those figures. You may very well be right in saying: "One litre of crude doesn't yield a litre of the refined product - it's much less.". However, you do not apply links for me to check up on your assertions. If you have any links then I would be grateful if you published them.
Complain about this comment
gedguy2
WCS is more or less correct. In tax terms there is essentially upstream and downstream tax. As a producer Scottish production is taxed mainly on PRT an other levies. There is also corporation tax.
PRT etc is pushed as extra regio so it is classed as British tax.
Corporation tax is bundled with offices headquarters in London.
Downstream tax is tax on fuel and petroleum products at the consumer end and is taken over the UK as a whole. Scottish revenues would only be from Scottish Geographic area.
However there are lots of references to UK OIL sector economic value.
This is huge. It is huge for the UK. It would be of MASSIVE value to the Scottish economy and would allow us to invest in infrastructure and reducing our dependence on the oil economy. This is just not going to happen in the UK.
Scotland is completely overlooked at UK level except for our revenues. All investment is in the South and its Economic gearing.
Back to tax: Politicians are focused on this PRT tax etc to use it in public spending. This is a tunnel vision. The real impact would be that there would be a huge influx of jobs and revenue into Scotland with so many knock off benefits. I can think of hundreds.
EG.
Scotland would gain from the ability to borrow against our Energy reserves.
There is no major GAS storage in Scotland it is essentially all in England. Many other UK strategic aspects are based in England. This would have to Change.
There are more oil related jobs in London than the whole of Scotland currently.
Scotland needs to become independent to take control of our finances and economy to run it in a way that is Geared to us. If we remain in the UK Scotland with and without oil is going to get poorer in relation to the rest of the UK. This is a certainty in the current setup. It will be easier for Scotland to use the Oil industry benefits to drive the needed changes post independence.
Complain about this comment
3. Robabody
I personally am waiting for the last bastion of the free press Greenockboy aka online ed to carry out another incisive piece of investigative journalism on this issue
We can rely on Newsnet Scotland for a free unbiased version of the events. No stone will be left unturned to get to the truth!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
82. sneckedagain
Suspicion always lurks in some areas. Perhaps though this is the result of Kenny's soft touch on criminals that drugs are so widely available. Disgrace really. What is the justice secretary doing?
I would recommend a public flogging for Mr Purcell. Would that make you happy?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
53. At 7:51pm on 01 Apr 2010, you wrote:
This comment has been referred to the moderators. Explain.
Still waiting to se why this has been referred. It was basically the same set of questions as posed by 70. by dear_wendy, but had links to the allegations made by "Scottish" newspapers.
Complain about this comment
To be fair to Jeremy Vine I should point out that he said he had tried to get a representative of the Scottish Government on but they declined, and he read a statement he had, he said, just received.
He did that in an off-hand manner after some music and a song-writer feature and before the negative comments. Since I posted a supportive email he can't say he never got any
Complain about this comment
89. RandomScot
It would seem Mr Macaskill got this one badly wrong. The 3 months max is now shown to be wrong, I understand the inaccuracies of this type of diagnosis, but this really is a kick in the teeth to many.
Poor decision by a poor politician.
Complain about this comment
and the special easter award for increasingly frantic trolling goes to......
Complain about this comment
103. northhighlander wrote:
89. RandomScot
"It would seem Mr Macaskill got this one badly wrong. The 3 months max is now shown to be wrong, I understand the inaccuracies of this type of diagnosis, but this really is a kick in the teeth to many.
Poor decision by a poor politician."
Don't agree at all with this analysis. I still think Kenny MacAskill made absolutely the right decision, in the face of much ill-informed, ignorant ranting. Only those who have not bothered to investigate the story for themselves could possibly think this was the wrong decision.
Complain about this comment
104. GrassyKnollington
"special easter award"
Would that be an orange egg!
Complain about this comment
Glasgow's Tangled Web: Tammany Hall never died, it just had a makeover
Complain about this comment
Hi Brian.
I watch the Scottish Parliament on Sky also BBC Scotland althyough I live in Wales.
You are a very professional presenter but you need to drop a few stone in weight as you face the risk of associasted illneses plus a premature death so drop a few stones and we will see Brian on opur scren for a many a few years more.
Complain about this comment
@103 I'll deffer to Dr Jim Swire on this one, a much better person than I could be in his situation.
He has no disagreement with the decision
Complain about this comment
Nick Clegg has said that the LibDems are the second largest party behind Labour in Scotland.So he reckons the SNP with 30 more MSPs than the Lib Dems are in third place.What further proof is needed that the LDs missed their chance when they passed Cable over and elected the shallow image consultants' choice to the leadership.
Hope he does quite a bit of campaigning in Scotland in the election.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#103. At 10:02am on 02 Apr 2010, northhighlander wrote:"The 3 months max is now shown to be wrong".
So what? The three months are not that important. The two important things are, 1 - the man has an incurable cancer and will certainly die. 2 - The machinations of the Westminster Government left little choice for the Scottish Government. BTW. Jim Swires has several things to say on the matter and he does not agree with you.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Conan has not one but two entirely relevant Hootsmon Headlines as yet unrecorded on these threads. Can we expect BBC Scotland to divert attention away from GCC with discussion of stopgap technology elsewhere?
Complain about this comment
#99
Was that meant to be funny? Poor effort.
I take it you imagine the Justice Secretary pores over a daily record of everything the police do in Scotland everyday and gives instructions as to how they have to deal with all incidences.
But wait! That would be "political interference" in the application of the law.
The question still remains. Why was person obviously exposed to the police as behaving in a criminal manner not charged? Everybody else would have been.
And no. I have little sympathy for Steven Purcell.
He was happy to take the credit for the distasteful, hugely dishonest Labour campaign in Glasgow North East in the course of which an obviously pleasant, personable,intelligent and well intentioned SNP candidate was savagely monstered.
Complain about this comment
Never mind an independent enquiry into GCC, there is a greater need for one into the Police Force and The Procurators Fiscal. There is no doubt any self confessed, common, Joe, or Josie, Weegie who confessed to obtaining, possesing and using a class, "A", drug would have been charged. Especially as the police force must have had prior evidence on the self confessed one or they would not have already interviewd him. It really is beyond belief the police actually had evidence and, instead of arresting and charging the bad guy, were doing their level best to protect him from being a victim of his own stupidity. The questions remain - who supplied the drugs? Why are they not charged with supplying them? Why was Purcell not arrested?
Complain about this comment
112. Auld Bob
"2 - The machinations of the Westminster Government left little choice for the Scottish Government."
The UK government had nothing to do with the decision to grant compassionate release to Mr al-Megrahi. It was a matter for the Justice Secretary alone.
Complain about this comment
Oops sorry I forgot in my last post that comments on Purcell will not be tolerated by the Glasgow Media Mafia.
Complain about this comment
As GCC are not going to hold an enquiry maybe we could get Channel4 with their investigative journalists to get going it seems that no Scottish Press or TV wants to really get stuck in and get the truth.Brian you and BBC are letting the Scottish public down but then again you are only maybe doing what you are told.
Complain about this comment
What I did not realize, in the debate over Steven Purcell in Glasgow yesterday, was that the Lib Dems supported Labour in the amendment that no inquiry was needed.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/politics/councillors-reject-calls-for-inquiry-into-purcell-s-downfall-1.1017888
I find this amazing that the Lib Dems could support this.
I hope that this is highlighted every time gets on their moral high horse.
Every election leaflet delivered in Scotland should highlight this vote.
Complain about this comment
96. EphemeralDeception
Nice post EphemeralDeception.
"the South and its Economic gearing"
That's the crucial part that people need to understand when asking how Scotland would be better off independent.
Scotland's economy is currenty geared to a 'best fit' for the UK's economy (SE England essentially), oil or no oil Scotland will be the better simply by gearing Scotland's economy for Scotland's benefit.
Complain about this comment
116. Auld Bob
"It really is beyond belief the police actually had evidence..."
Did they? What evidence? A confession is not sufficient to obtain a conviction in a Scottish court.
Complain about this comment
If I recall correctly, there was a famous model, KM initials, whom was pictured snorting a substance. This hit the newspapers and said model was cautioned and had to pay a visit to the police. After some deliberation, the police decided not to press charges. This was the approach in England.
The approach by Strathclyde police for the labour leader for Glasgow Coucil (& prospective labour leader in Scotland) is some what different. The police discover he has been buying and taking an illegal substance, they take it upon themselves to pay him a visit to tell him to be careful and that he may be vulnerable.
Am I missing something here?
C Mck
Complain about this comment
http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:lib-dems-join-labour-to-prevent-glasgow-council-investigation&catid=1:politics&Itemid=2
Pressure was piling on PM Gordon Brown to come clean and explain exactly what Downing Street knew of Purcell’s troubles and when they became aware of them.
Quote, "The PM has already been asked about an alleged number 10 telephone conference in 2008 that discussed Steven Purcell; he promised to investigate the matter. However, despite over two weeks having elapsed there is still no answers from Downing Street."
Purcellgate keeps on throwing up some very basic questions.
Who knew what and when? Who acted and who turned a blind eye? Who benefitted? Will the Scottish media ever ask such questions?
This is a shameful episode for Scottish journalism.
Complain about this comment
Jeez oh Mr Moderator, I only mentioned some other elements of entertainment aka alcohol, and wondered how this legal product could also allegedly be abused by past, perhaps present & future colleagues of this individual. I also remarked that as a former employee this individual will also recieve some form of ill health severance package. I certainly agree that some hard nosed journalist might find this a good hunting ground, but he'll need a good expense account! But the hunting will bring in a few braces of something!!!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
If you thought that the main stream media would now investigate the potential fall out from the Purcell affair with vigor, maybe you should think again.
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Eddie-Barnes-No-end-in.6200196.jp
It would appear that even though he was a self confessed drug user, and a alcoholic, that this had absolutely no bearing on any decision that he took while leader of GCC. Any suggestion to the contrary is now a sinister conspiracy theory, and is only political point scoring by Labour opposition.
Complain about this comment
Can we give Megrahi a rest? He's not coming back, and people have their own opinions on whether it was right to release him or not. Nothing that Jim Swire or anyone else say's either way matters to individuals - they will make their own mind up one way or the other.
----------------
On the Lib Dems, I can see Clegg being booted after the election and Cable put back in place. I don't agree with the bulk of Lib Dem policies but it would be nice to see a politician who isn't a Blair/Cameron clone.
-------------------
90. At 03:29am on 02 Apr 2010, Subrosa wrote:
"Nothing less than an independent inquiry will do into GCC. Of course labour councillors voted against it but can't the Scottish government over-rule that?"
You need evidence to justify the cost of an enquiry. You also need evidence to charge someone. But where did the drugs come from? We could at least get an answer for that one.
-------------------------
106. cynicalHighlander:
Bunny wabbits aren't orange....unless you cook them in the sauce.......
Still tastes like chicken though......or would that be turkey?
Complain about this comment
122. Electric Hermit
"Did they? What evidence? A confession is not sufficient to obtain a conviction in a Scottish court."
So the police called on him warning him that he might have been filmed when he was snorting coke because they DIDN'T have any such evidence? Do you suppose they called on everyone in Glasgow that week with a warning? Picked his name out of a phone book? I rather doubt it.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
8. cynicalHighlander
"£25 MILLION BAIL OUT"
THE LABOUR controlled council in Glasgow has been secretly bailing out a housing association to the tune of £25 million of Tax Payers' cash, according to documents seen by The Digger.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Complain about this comment
The arguement being put forward that acting under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs has no impact in running of Glasgow Council can be applied elsewhere.
Would politicians, police and newspaper editors turn a blind eye to people driving cars, trucks, buses and trains under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs?
Would politicians, police and newspaper editors turn a blind eye to doctors, nurses, teachers practising under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs?
Would politicians, police and newspaper editors turn a blind eye to celebrities acting under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs?
Would politicians, police and newspaper editors turn a blind eye to public figures like Alex Salmond and Boris Johnson acting under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs?
You see not only is the moral authority of politicians and newspapers editors been badly eroded by Purcellgate so to has Strathclyde Police.
Next time anyone gets stopped by the police for being slightly under the weather just employ the Steven Purcell arguement, "Nothing to see here officer, move along please!"
Complain about this comment
129. JRMacClure
"So the police called on him warning him that he might have been filmed when he was snorting coke because they DIDN'T have any such evidence?
The evidence required to secure a conviction in a court of law is of an entirely different standard to that which would justify such a warning.
Do you suppose they called on everyone in Glasgow that week with a warning? Picked his name out of a phone book? I rather doubt it."
Steven Purcell was the leader of Glasgow City Council. The same cannot be said of "everyone in Glasgow".
Complain about this comment
#117. At 11:40am on 02 Apr 2010, Electric Hermit wrote:"The UK government had nothing to do with the decision to grant compassionate release to Mr al-Megrahi. It was a matter for the Justice Secretary alone".
You are, of course wrong. In a letter dated 19 December 2007, Minister for Justice Jack Straw wrote to his Scottish counterpart, "I had previously accepted the importance of the al-Megrahi issue to Scotland and said I would try to get an exclusion for him on the face of the agreement. I have not been able to secure an explicit exclusion. The wider negotiations with the Libyans are reaching a critical stage and, in view of the overwhelming interests for the UK, I have agreed that in this instance the Prisoner Transfer Agreement should be in the standard form and not mention any individual. Straw is quoted as stating that an application under the prisoner transfer agreement was turned down. Mr Straw denied that the release was part of any deal, while Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond reiterated that the release had been granted on compassionate grounds and not as part of any deal struck by the British Government. The Scottish National Party government in Scotland is politically independent of the Labour Government of Britain".
Just in case you do not know about, "The Prisoner Transfer Agreement", between the UK and Libya here is a Link The obvious thing is that The Scottish Government would have had no option but to release al-Megrahi under the Prisoner Transfer Agreement as Straw had not been able to exclude him from that agreement. I can only guess at the Justice Secretary's decision being to ensure al-Megrahi under compassionate grounds, (as per Scottish law), was to insure he would not be incarserated in his home country after a prisoner transfer under the Westminster signed agreement.
Complain about this comment
Re the Purcell story.
It is obvious now that there is no Carl Bernstein or Bob Woodward in the Scottish main stream media.
If Nixon had been based in Glasgow Watergate would never have happened "as there would have been no need to investigate"
Complain about this comment
128. enneffess
Gobbledegook! plenty orange bunnies google
Complain about this comment
131. JRMacClure
or here!
# 28. At 5:08pm on 01 Apr 2010, JRMacClure wrote:
This comment is awaiting moderation. Explain.
Respond!
# 29. At 5:11pm on 01 Apr 2010, hamish42 wrote:
This comment is awaiting moderation. Explain.
Respond!
# 30. At 5:15pm on 01 Apr 2010, JRMacClure wrote:
This comment is awaiting moderation. Explain.
Complain about this comment
Would the Glasgow City Council pursue an investigation if a newspaper had reported that a
1. A teacher had confessed to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs.
2. A social worker confessed to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs.
3. A Food Safety & Trading officer had confessed to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs.
A Glasgow Council report on alcohol and drug abuse highlighted that the most common problem associated with such abuse are "Crimes of Dishonesty".
Would Glasgow Council tolerate not only alcohol and drug abuse amongst its executive, management and workforce but also associated dishonesty?
It would appear that with Steven Purcell it already has.
Complain about this comment
#122. At 12:11pm on 02 Apr 2010, Electric Hermit wrote:"Did they? What evidence? A confession is not sufficient to obtain a conviction in a Scottish court".
Where did I claim otherwise? allegedly the Police met with Purcell and warned him that he was leaving himself open to blackmail by obtaining, and/or using, drugs. They could not do so without any evidence of Purcell having obtained and/or used drugs. It is also probable they knew from whom he obtained them. So the question is - were they protecting Purcell, Purcell's supplier or both? Either way they could not have warned Purcell off if they had no evidence. Can you see a man of Purcell's stature in the Glasgow community accepting such a warning if it were without foundation? It just screams court action for false accusation.
Complain about this comment
134. Auld Bob
"The obvious thing is that The Scottish Government would have had no option but to release al-Megrahi under the Prisoner Transfer Agreement as Straw had not been able to exclude him from that agreement."
Complete nonsense, of course. The Justice Secretary not only had the option to refuse release under the terms of the PTA he actually exercised that option.
Mr al-Megrahi was released on licence on compassionate grounds in accordance with Scottish law and established practice. The UK government had absolutely no say in the matter.
Complain about this comment
#128. At 1:25pm on 02 Apr 2010, enneffess wrote:"Can we give Megrahi a rest? He's not coming back, and people have their own opinions on whether it was right to release him or not. Nothing that Jim Swire or anyone else say's either way matters to individuals - they will make their own mind up one way or the other".
The whole point was that there is no room for any opinion on the matter. Scottish Law clearly states that a prisoner who has been diagnosed as having an incurable condition that will kill soon must be released on compassionate grounds. On the other hand, if he is a Libiyan, he will be transferred home under the Westminster signed Prisoner Transfer Agreement. The fact is when Straw signed that agreement he knew there was only one such prisoner in the UK. So, no matter what anyone's opinion is, the guy was going home.
Complain about this comment
It would appear The Telegraph has the same reservations as many of the posters here regarding the methodology of YouGov.
http://tinyurl.com/ya3ytm5
And correspondence between The Telegraph and YouGov.
http://tinyurl.com/ydmwjsk
It makes for a bit of an eye opener.
Complain about this comment
139. Auld Bob
"...they could not have warned Purcell off if they had no evidence."
The evidence required to secure a conviction in a court of law is of an entirely different standard to that which would justify such a warning.
Complain about this comment
141. Auld Bob
"Scottish Law clearly states that a prisoner who has been diagnosed as having an incurable condition that will kill soon must be released on compassionate grounds."
There is no "must" about it. The Justice Secretary has complete discretion.
"On the other hand, if he is a Libiyan, he will be transferred home under the Westminster signed Prisoner Transfer Agreement."
Likewise in the case of release under the terms of Prisoner Transfer Agreement. The Justice Secretary is no obliged to grant any application and, indeed, refused the application on behalf of al-Megrahi.
Complain about this comment
133. Electric Hermit
"Steven Purcell was the leader of Glasgow City Council. The same cannot be said of "everyone in Glasgow"."
Yes, exactly. And they no doubt KNEW that he was exactly the kind to call in high powered lawyers and take them to court for false accusations if the WARNED HIM WITH NO EVIDENCE.
Like he did with every newspaper that tried to report on it for weeks.
Complain about this comment
142. tullibardine
Let me point out that their general attack on weighting is wrongheaded. The size of a poll doesn't have anything to do with whether a poll needs to be weighted or not. However I find the claim by the head of YouGov that Angus Reid does not belong to the British Polling Council fairly shocking since THEY DO. And I think he has to know that they do.
I question their weighting for several reasons. I still find it shocking and outrageous that they refuse to correct the Scottish weighting when applied to UK-wide polls even after ADMITTING (on their own website) that the weighting is wrong. And I question whether they have it right in Scotland only polls. They "nudged it" but if they had it wrong in the first place I can legitimately question whether their correction was sufficient. Considering how extremely off it was from the only other pollster doing Scotland only polls, one has to say probably not.
Complain about this comment
143. Electric Hermit
""...they could not have warned Purcell off if they had no evidence."
The evidence required to secure a conviction in a court of law is of an entirely different standard to that which would justify such a warning."
No doubt. However, it is not of an entirely different standard to warrant searches of his place of business and his home and a full investigation--which did NOT take place.
Complain about this comment
144. Electric Hermit
"Likewise in the case of release under the terms of Prisoner Transfer Agreement. The Justice Secretary is no obliged to grant any application and, indeed, refused the application on behalf of al-Megrahi."
That was the reported course of events and considering the universal press hostility, you can pretty much bet if hey could have found something saying otherwise, they would have.
Mr. MacAskill had the ability to turn down the PTA transfer and did so. The Scottish government had consistently sid they would do so previous to the fact in what correspondence was released.
Complain about this comment
142. tullibardine
Where are Oldnat or Browndov? They're much better polling geeks than I am. Where HAS Oldnat been lately?
Complain about this comment
For who the Bell Tolls!
Complain about this comment
147. JRMacClure
"However, it is not of an entirely different standard to warrant searches of his place of business and his home and a full investigation--which did NOT take place."
I don't know what evidence the police had. Apparently, you have full details.
Complain about this comment
148. JRMacClure
"Mr. MacAskill had the ability to turn down the PTA transfer and did so. The Scottish government had consistently sid they would do so previous to the fact in what correspondence was released."
I doubt that very much. They could not preempt a decision that was in for the Justice Secretary. The Scottish government did object to the the UK agreeing any PTA which did not exclude al-Megrahi. But they could not state in advance that an application under the terms of any such agreement would be denied.
Complain about this comment
Well there may be some hope for the main stream media in Scotland yet. This is from the Daily Record, which to date has had very little to say about Stephen Purcell.
http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/recordview/
Will they follow up with some investigative journalism now? that is the big question. If even The Daily Ranger think there should be an inquiry, rather than this being the end of the story, maybe it is only just begining.
As a follow up to the post I had about the Lib Dems supporting the motion not to have an inquiry, it was reported on another blog that the only tory councilor on GCC also voted that there was no need for an inquiry.
Complain about this comment
149. JRMacClure
Maybe lost his electric again as some folk nearby have been without for days. Blue sky and white landscape in all directions.
Complain about this comment
153. dubbieside
"http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/recordview/
Will they follow up with some investigative journalism now? that is the big question. If even The Daily Ranger think there should be an inquiry, rather than this being the end of the story, maybe it is only just begining."
Disgraced ex-councillor Steven Purcell had enormous power, control and influence at the heart of the local authority until he quit.
It is only right his entire period in office, his diary, his meetings and the decisions that were taken are opened to public scrutiny.
The council say they have nothing to hide. So why the fear of transparency ...
Pretty much sums it up. When even they have to admit that there's need for an inquiry, things have gotten really extreme.
Complain about this comment
141. Auld Bob:
The law does not state that a prisoner MUST be released. The reason is that a prison may be terminally ill, but they could still pose a danger to the public.
Public safety comes first. Ask any police officer. Their number one priority is public safety over and above theirs.
-------------------
JR - we do not have "probable cause" over here. The police may have considered a warning to be sufficient.
Without trying to be specific, one knife crime, a lot of people are against jailing and convicting etc etc, yet when it comes to Purcell they want him charged and convicted. You can't have it both ways.
I think hints by some people that somehow the police are covering up stuff is ridiculous. Are you seriously suggesting that the Justice Secretary would sit idly by and allow this to happen?
Sturgeon is correct to question what is happening at Glasgow City Council, but nor she or any other minister has made any suggestion whatsoever about the behaviour of the police or Audit Scotland.
---------------------
Just had our South Lanarkshire Council newsletter through the door - so much for efficiency savings. And they kindly remind us to register as the election must take place by a cetain date.
June 3rd was mentioned.
Possible?
Complain about this comment
154. cynicalHighlander
"Maybe lost his electric again as some folk nearby have been without for days. Blue sky and white landscape in all directions."
Maybe. In which case I hope he has a nice cozy fireplace to keep them warm! He posted on another forum that he had been on vacation but hasn't posted further in several days.
Complain about this comment
146. JRMacClure
"142. tullibardine"
YouGov pollster 'gives Labour an unfair advantage’
Last night, YouGov admitted that it had adjusted its data which led to an increase in Labour’s share of the vote above that picked up by its surveys. However, the company said this was done purely for statistical reasons to reflect the likely election result.
Complain about this comment
151. Electric Hermit
"I don't know what evidence the police had. Apparently, you have full details."
Get off it, EH. They wouldn't have approached someone in his position AND in his office if they hadn't had some evidence. You know it. I know it. Let's not pretend otherwise.
He would have had them in court so fast... like he tried with the newspapers.
Complain about this comment
Drugs adviser Eric Carlin quits over 'rushed' Mephedrone ban
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS