/qnotables/ - ===Q Notables===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14511490 (022356ZSEP21) Notable: Religious brother ‘gave pupil painful electric shocks’ at school

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>>>/qresearch/14504670

> including broken clavicals as he convulsed under electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) sessions.

>

>Few have any real idea of the experiments and torture of many thousands of children under the care of the NHS, nor the thousands of deaths during these processes.

>

A story from the Times, today September 2nd

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/religious-brother-gave-pupil-painful-electric-shocks-at-school-jz389v3wq

Religious brother ‘gave pupil painful electric shocks’ at school

Dave Finlay

Thursday September 02 2021, 12.01am, The Times

A man told a court how he was subjected to painful electric shocks as a child by a brother from a religious order at a residential school.

The 69-year-old said he had no choice at times about being in the boot room with Brother Benedict at St Ninian’s List D school in the Gartmore Estate in Stirlingshire.

A device “like a dynamo or something” had two wires attached to metal handles. “He took you over to it and told you to hold the two handles and then he would turn a handle.”

The man said he received painful shocks and told the High Court in Edinburgh: “You couldn’t let go of it. It didn’t burn you, it was just shock.”

Michael Murphy, who was known

Continue reading

Get unlimited digital access on any device….no thanks, I have not the funds.

Now this is torture, it is the torture method of preference for an individual in this case and while it is not part of the much larger and organised electrification of children that I was referring to, it does show that it (the torture method), attracts those who take pleasure in torture, some of them even take notes in white coats and call themselves doctors or scientists or psychiatrists. These are the ones in collusion with crown, top military officials, judges, politicians etc, and done thousands of such experiments with much higher voltages on an industrial scale. They carried these experiments out on the old, the infirm of body and mind, children, orphaned children, the children of convicts, disabled children and adults too. The most vulnerable in society, those we should be comforting.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14688014 (292113ZSEP21) Notable: Minister sorry for 'woeful' delay in setting up Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

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Minister sorry for 'woeful' delay in setting up Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58733292

The Scottish government has apologised "unreservedly" for what was described as a "woeful and wholly avoidable" 13-year delay in setting up a public inquiry into child abuse.

Lady Smith, who chairs the inquiry, had said the government "failed to grasp" the survivors' need for justice.

They were treated as if their views were not worth listening to - just like when they were in care, she added.

The inquiry was finally set up by the Scottish government in 2015.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney told a hearing last year that Alex Salmond had opposed the inquiry being set up while he was first minister.

He said there had been a clear division in cabinet over the issue and the inquiry was only set up after Nicola Sturgeon succeeded Mr Salmond.

Alex Salmond 'was opposed to child abuse inquiry'

Ministers tried to do 'right things' on care abuse

Mr Swinney said in a statement in response to Lady Smith's findings: "The Scottish government apologises unreservedly that it did not respond more appropriately and sooner to the concerns of survivors of abuse in care who called for a public inquiry.

"Responding to survivors of abuse in care spanned different administrations between 2002 and 2014.

"Steps were taken by government to respond in that period, but this happened too slowly and did not go far enough - however, an inquiry was announced within weeks of the current first minister taking office as head of the government."

He added that the Scottish government had since sought to deliver "positive outcomes for survivors of abuse".

He added that the inquiry had been established "when it became clear that previous initiatives were not enough to provide this acknowledgement and accountability that survivors needed".

The inquiry is investigating abuse of children in care in Scotland or where care was arranged in Scotland.

Its latest findings relate to evidence heard about the Scottish government's response between August 2002 and December 2014 to a petition calling for an inquiry, and other key issues.

,,,,,,,,continued in next post

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14688356 (292209ZSEP21) Notable: Alex Salmond 'was opposed to child abuse inquiry'

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>>39312

> but INCAS up until at least 1or2 had never sought any government funding for their members

Should have read along the lines of …with the possible exception of the last 1 or 2, which were not attended personally with anyone known to this anon: many of the previous ones were.

>>39312

Alex Salmond 'was opposed to child abuse inquiry'28 November 2020

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55106804

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has heard that then-first minister Alex Salmond and other senior Scottish government figures were against it being set up.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney told the inquiry there had been clear division over the issue.

He said an inquiry was only authorised "after the change of first minister had taken place".

Mr Salmond has been approached for comment by BBC Scotland.

The inquiry was set up in October 2015 and is investigating the abuse of children in care in Scotland or where their care was arranged in Scotland.

The latest phase of the inquiry, heard before judge Lady Smith, is exploring reasons why calls between August 2002 and December 2014 for a public inquiry to be held were resisted by ministers.

Ministers tried to do 'right things' on care abuse

Church of Scotland says sorry over child migrants

Over £4m paid out to child abuse survivors

Children in charity homes 'did suffer abuse'

James Peoples QC, senior counsel to the inquiry, said the current Constitution Secretary Mike Russell told him on Thursday that "influential figures, including Alex Salmond, Kenny MacAskill and the then Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland were not persuaded" of the need for an inquiry.

Mr Swinney agreed, saying: "There was a difference of views in Cabinet in the summer of 2014 if there should be an inquiry."

He told the inquiry that the BBC Scotland programme Sins of Our Fathers, which revealed allegations of child abuse at Fort Augustus Abbey when it was broadcast in 2013, had been a "seminal moment".

Mr Swinney said the Scottish government had taken a number of steps to help abuse survivors but the programme showed they were not doing enough.

Mr Peoples said Mr Russell had said the difference of views was "quite robust" and that there were concerns about the amount of time it would take and the cost involved.

Mr Swinney replied: "There was a perfectly respectable debate among Cabinet but there were two opinions.

"One argument was that the inquiry would not address the issues and would not deliver the outcomes survivors hoped for.

"Mike Russell had engaged heavily with survivors and his view was we had to confront this issue as a country, to do justice for survivors to enable them to have their experiences documented, understood and reflected on, and for the state to accept responsibility for what happened to them.

"I supported him in that view in Cabinet."

Mr Swinney said the inquiry was authorised in December after the change of first minister had taken place.

"Without a doubt, there was a division of views in Cabinet," he said.

Mr Swinney also said the cost of an inquiry would not have been a deterrent, saying: "I've seen a lot of traffic about money in the papers and I was finance minister for nine years, so I controlled that money.

"Ironically, in the period after 2007, the financial issues were a lot less than in early 2014."

He added: "When I came to office in 2007, I was pleasantly surprised there was £1.6bn in an account in the Treasury that hadn't been spent.

"When I was going through the accounts in 2006 and saw that, I thought that would be quite handy to have that. We still had the block grant and there was £1.6bn that had not been spent, which I found quite surprising."

'Hidden money tree'

Mr Peoples asked: "Although you weren't approached about finding money for an inquiry, there was money there?"

Mr Swinney said: "There was a hidden money tree at that point. So the idea that money was an issue - I had the ability to fund the financial priorities my colleagues found to be important."

In 2002 a former resident of a care home submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for an inquiry into the abuse of children who were in care and an apology.

In 2004, the then First Minister Jack McConnell said sorry on behalf of the people of Scotland but his Labour-led administration stopped short of ordering an inquiry.

Lord McConnell gave evidence about this last week, saying he had been worried that an inquiry would cut across legal action that was being taken by some of the survivors at the time.

The SNP took power in 2007, and Mr Swinney has been a government minister ever since.

Calls for an inquiry intensified after a BBC documentary was broadcast in 2013 which contained allegations that children were abused at the Fort Augustus Abbey School in the Highlands.

The inquiry continues.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14728056 (052118ZOCT21) Notable: Golden goodbyes for police officers hit nearly £20m

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Scottish Daily Mail article October 5 2021.

Golden goodbyes for police officers hit nearly £20m

Tax-payer funded to the tune of £20 million over the last 6 years. Police Scotland from 2019-2020 overspend totalling £26.6 million, which means all of the "golden goodbyes" are taxpayer funded. YOU PAY AGAIN.

"A police Scotland spokesman said: "the creation of a single national service has helped maintain responsive and visible local policing…"" Are you kidding? I'm Scottish, the only time I see a visible police presence these days is at a peaceful protest against all the corruption and abuse of power. They cheekily claim that they are saving the public money raising a wry smile on the face of this anon.

Phil Gormley, ex-Chief Inspector who took up that role at the rate of £214,000/annum in January 2016 and then quit in Feb 2018: I wonder what kind of "golden goodbye" he got? I don't know. Anyway, that's all well and good, but what screams out at me is the fact he left "amid allegations" of "bullying" which was of course referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner in July 2017. Two additional complaints were made in Sept of the same year when he stepped aside and went on "special leave". That probably means he left but was still paid full salary, but maybe not?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14732792 (061554ZOCT21) Notable: Religious brother ‘gave pupil painful electric shocks’ at school

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missing pics from

>>39299

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14772428 (121657ZOCT21) Notable: Mystery rise in heart attacks from blocked arteries

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Mystery rise in heart attacks from blocked arteries

"Health experts have been left baffled by a big rise in a common and potentially fatal type of heart attack in the west of Scotland.

During the summer there was a 25 per cent rise in the number of people rushed to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank with partially blocked arteries cutting blood supply to the heart."

Wonder what is causing this?

Wouldn't be all vaccinated would they? Scotland, what the fuck is wrong with you people? So many drones following orders. Wake the fuck up!

I'm in total disbelief that almost 2 years on from the start of the plandemic most fuckers here are still blissfully unaware of what is going on in the world. If the intent of those behind all of this crap was to herd us into cattle trucks for the burner, most of Scotland's people would already be ash.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14793897 (160111ZOCT21) Notable: WALKING OUT COP26: Glasgow school staff set to go on strike amid further chaos ahead of climate change summit

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/7850024/cop26-glasgow-school-strike/

WALKING OUT COP26: Glasgow school staff set to go on strike amid further chaos ahead of climate change summit

"GLASGOW school staff are now set to go on strike amid further chaos ahead of COP26.

Janitors, cleaners and canteen workers could also walk out en masse amid a bitter pay row with COSLA council bosses."

This is the same Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) who have committed to handing out over £100 million of council tax payers money in contributions to victims of historic child abuse in reparations. After they jump through many hoops of course searching for evidence which doesn't exist. It doesn't exist because they fought against an inquiry for 14 years and all the while the went around destroying all the evidence.

Cosla claims to be "the voice of Local Government in Scotland" when surely THE PEOPLE of Scotland SHOULD BE the voice of local government?

100 million Scottish council tax payers money to be given as part of a gagging order, preventing victims taking legal action against the organisations and individuals who abused them. Get your fucking heads round that. The parasites are going to bleed you for another 100 milllion £ notes. I forget the figure, posted approximate breakdown of some of the individual contributions on previous board but the content is unavailable now.

I wonder how many protesters there will be in Glasgow for COP26?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14815736 (192046ZOCT21) Notable: No dismissals despite almost 250 sexual misconduct allegations among Police Scotland officers

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>>>/qresearch/14814671

No dismissals despite almost 250 sexual misconduct allegations among Police Scotland officers

Police Scotland faces questions about widespread accusations of sexual misconduct after it emerged that not one police officer or special constable was fired over a four year period despite almost 250 sexual misconduct accusations within the force.

In total, 166 police officers and special constables within Police Scotland have been accused of 245 counts of sexual misconduct, a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation found.

The documentary – Cops on Trial: Dispatches – is set to be aired tonight and will claim there are potentially serving police officers with proven sexual misconduct cases.

It comes alongside other data, obtained under freedom of information legislation, found that 64 sexual assault claims were made against Police Scotland officers between 2016 and 2020. Just two allegations were upheld, with 39 not upheld, nine withdrawn or abandoned, and investigations into 14 ongoing.

The data from Police Scotland was in response to a request for the number of complaints of sexual assaults against serving police officers and complaints could relate to historic allegations.

It also comes after the chief constable said he would order an independent review into a tribunal which found evidence of a “sexist culture” with Police Scotland’s firearms unit. Former firearms officer Rhona Malone raised the tribunal against Police Scotland, alleging sex discrimination and victimisation, with the latter claim succeeding.

Responding to the Dispatches figures, Deputy Chief Constable, Fiona Taylor, said: "Police Scotland demands the highest levels of integrity from our officers and staff and when someone fails to meet this standard we take the appropriate action. We have no ability under current conduct regulations to prevent an officer from resigning.

“Our officers will carry out a thorough investigation into any complaint, irrespective of who the offender is. Sexism, misogyny and discrimination of any kind are deplorable and unacceptable. They have no place in policing.

“Progress has been made but there remains much work to do.

“We’re bringing additional focus to ensure our culture is welcoming and inclusive, including independent scrutiny and oversight by an Independent Review Group.”

Scottish Conservative Shadow Minister for Community Safety Russell Findlay said the figures were “shocking”.“Female officers of all ranks have long warned of the problems of misogyny and sexual misconduct within Police Scotland.

“The majority of decent officers are appalled by those who tarnish their good reputation with this type of behaviour, but they should also be frustrated at how these cases are often dealt with.

Full article here:

https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/no-dismissals-despite-almost-250-sexual-misconduct-allegations-among-police-scotland-officers-3413902

part 1

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14844215 (240014ZOCT21) Notable: "Majority" of those dying have had both jabs

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>>39316

>>39317

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-scottish-mail-on-sunday/20210829/282183654147043

"Majority" of those dying have had both jabs.

Scottish Mail on Sunday 29th August 2021 by Gareth Rose. Scottish Political Editor.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14851432 (250127ZOCT21) Notable: Hundreds of face-to-face GP appointments are cancelled or rescheduled in Glasgow in bid to slash traffic levels during Cop26 climate summit

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>>39318

>>>/qresearch/14793911

>>>/qresearch/14814671

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10125075/Hundreds-face-face-GP-appointments-cancelled-rescheduled-Glasgow-slash-Cop26-traffic.html

Hundreds of face-to-face GP appointments are cancelled or rescheduled in Glasgow in bid to slash traffic levels during Cop26 climate summit

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said virtual appointments will be offered

A wider city plan aims to 'substantially' reduce road traffic while Cop26 runs

Around 25,000 delegates and 125 world leaders will attend climate conference

Glasgow will face multiple road closures and possible rail strikes during summit

But the move has disappointed patients who have waited months to see their GP

By Shari Miller For Mailonline

Published: 10:27, 24 October 2021 | Updated: 20:17, 24 October 2021

Hundreds of face-to-face appointments with GPs have been cancelled or rescheduled by NHS bosses in a bid to slash traffic levels around Glasgow during Cop26, with the city facing multiple road closures and possible rail strikes.

The city is playing host to the climate conference, which runs for a fortnight from 31 October and is expected to attract 25,000 delegates and 125 world leaders.

Ahead of the conference, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said virtual and online consultations will be favoured over in-person appointments as a way of helping to 'substantially' reduce road traffic during this time.

The RMT union also plans to stage a rail strike over pay from 1 November to 12 November, causing potentially more disruption to those wanting to travel to Glasgow by public transport for Cop26.

In-person appointments will continue for cancer referrals and urgent care.

But Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's health and Covid recovery spokeswoman, said hundreds of patients - who have waited months to see their GP in-person because of the pandemic - would be disappointed by the move and called it a 'recipe for disaster'.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: 'This will come as a fresh blow to patients who have already been languishing on waiting lists for months.'

Elsewhere, health chiefs have expressed concern that Covid-19 infections in Glasgow will surge in the wake of hosting delegates arriving from all over the world and from countries with lower vaccination rates.

Up to 100,000 protesters, including from groups such as Extinction Rebellion, are also expected to descend on the Scottish city for the Global Day for Climate Justice, on 6 November.

Jillian Evans, head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian commented that there are 'risks associated' with the mass gatherings.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: 'Ahead of Cop26, we are working closely with partners to ensure robust plans are in place to enable us to respond to demands for healthcare during the conference, which includes responding to the temporary increase in population.

'All of our hospital facilities will remain open and operational throughout the conference.'

COP26, held at the the Scottish Event Campus, will be the highest-profile event ever staged in Scotland.

A huge security operation, codenamed Operation Urram, will involve 10,000 officers and 200 police dogs deployed each day, including officers on secondment from England.

Specialist ‘protest removal’ squads will be ready to crack down on any illegal disruptions, with the Armed Forces and coastguard on alert for serious threats.

In addition to protests from the likes of Insulate Britain, Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace, Glasgow faces more disruption from the sheer number of extra visitors, exacerbated by RMT union rail strikes and key road closures.

COP26 has been described as the ‘last best hope for the world to get its act together’ on climate change – but China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will not attend, delivering a blow to hopes of substantial progress.

The Queen is also expected to join Prince Charles and Prince William at a banquet for delegates on 1 November.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14866491 (271424ZOCT21) Notable: Who Will Speak for The Children? Fauci Also Experimented on the Homeless Children of New York

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https://t2conline.com/who-will-speak-for-the-children-fauci-also-experimented-on-the-homeless-children-of-new-york/

Who Will Speak for The Children? Fauci Also Experimented on the Homeless Children of New York

In 2004 a journalist named Liam Scheff wrote an article called “The House That AIDS Built.” In it it stated in Washington Heights the Incarnation Children’s Center (ICC), which was formally a convent house, had a revolving stable of children who had been removed from their own homes by the Agency for Child Services. These children were black, Hispanic and poor. Many of their mothers had a history of drug abuse and have died. Once

taken into ICC, the children become subjects of drug trials sponsored by NIAID (National

Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, a division of the NIH), NICHD (the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) in conjunction with some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies –GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Genentech, Chiron/Biocine and others. In other words Dr. Fauci!

The drugs being given to the children were toxic –known to cause genetic mutation, organ failure, bone marrow death, bodily deformations, brain damage and fatal skin disorders. If the children refuse the drugs, they’ were held down and force fed. If the children continue to resist, they we’re taken to Columbia Presbyterian hospital where a surgeon put a plastic tube through their abdominal wall into their stomachs. From then on, the drugs were injected directly into their intestines.

In 2003, two children, ages 6 and 12, had debilitating strokes due to drug toxicities. The 6-year-old went blind. They both died shortly after. Another 14-year old died. An 8-year-old boy had two plastic surgeries to remove large, fatty, drug-induced lumps from his neck. This was AIDS research. The children at ICC were born to mothers who tested HIV positive, or who themselves tested positive. However, neither parents nor children were told a crucial fact — HIV tests are extremely inaccurate.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14877569 (290939ZOCT21) Notable: Cop26: Don’t cause chaos, Sturgeon warns protesters

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>>>/qresearch/14877477

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19680840.cop26-dont-cause-chaos-sturgeon-warns-protesters/

Cop26: Don’t cause chaos, Sturgeon warns protesters

NICOLA Sturgeon has urged climate protesters not to add to the “disruption and inconvenience” Glaswegians are already facing during COP26.

The First Minister said Police Scotland has made clear there will be a “sensitive policing operation” during the crucial climate summit.

But she asked demonstrators to protest peacefully and “with recognition that the people of Glasgow are agreeing to host the conference and suffering some disruption because of that”.

It came as she refused to meet cleansing workers in Glasgow to discuss the city’s rat problem, and accused Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar of talking the city down for raising it at Holyrood.

COP26, which takes place between Sunday and November 12, will see more than 25,000 delegates descend on Glasgow as well as thousands of protesters and activists.

More than 120 world leaders are due to attend, including US President Joe Biden.

During First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross pressed Ms Sturgeon on whether she is “fully confident that Glasgow is ready to grasp this opportunity”.

He said there is “real potential for disruption from protest groups at COP26 that risks public safety”.

Mr Ross insisted there must be a “zero-tolerance” approach to unlawful protests.

Ms Sturgeon said it is for Police Scotland to decide the appropriate approach to policing demonstrations.

She said Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has been clear there will be a “sensitive policing operation that will do everything possible to facilitate appropriate and peaceful protest”.

She added: “However, Police Scotland will respond to any protests that seek to break the law and disrupt people beyond what would be considered reasonable.

“People want to come and make their voices heard. That is understandable, given the importance of the issues that are under discussion.

“However, I say to people who are looking to come to protest in Glasgow that they should do it peacefully and with recognition that the people of Glasgow are agreeing to host the conference and suffering some disruption because of that, so they should not add to that disruption for them.

“Let us all get behind the people who will negotiate a good outcome – I hope – for the future of the planet.”

>But she asked demonstrators to protest peacefully and “with recognition that the people of Glasgow are agreeing to host the conference and suffering some disruption because of that”.

The people of Glasgow didn't agree to do anything, the people of Glasgow will be stuck in nightmare traffic jams for weeks to accommodate all of these corrupt, lying cunts; any suggestion that anyone in Glasgow agreed to this is an outright fucking lie. If Iain Livingstone was to do his job properly he would be putting all of the attendees in jail. He won't, he will obey all direction from this monstrous wee thing that calls itself 1st Minister of Scotland. I call her a CUNT!

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A LIE, a lie almost as big as corona(crown)virus.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14877603 (290954ZOCT21) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon accuses MSP of 'talking down Glasgow' for raising rat problem

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https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19679363.nicola-sturgeon-accuses-msp-talking-glasgow-raising-rat-problem/

Nicola Sturgeon accuses MSP of 'talking down Glasgow' for raising rat problem

NICOLA Sturgeon has refused to meet cleansing workers in Glasgow to discuss the city’s rat problem, and accused Anas Sarwar of talking the city down for raising it at Holyrood.

It came as one Glasgow Labour MSP told FMQs that she had rats in her flat.

She's a cracker this thing, the only rats in Glasgow are going to COP26. The attendees and the Scottish Government are the infestation of rats Glasgow is having to deal with in these trying times.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/14946262 (072203ZNOV21) Notable: Police probe £250k award of taxpayers' money to Sturgeon book publisher

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/police-probe-250k-award-taxpayers-25399073

Police probe £250k award of taxpayers' money to Sturgeon book publisher

ByDouglas DickieContent editor

09:59, 7 NOV 2021

Sandstone was given £120,000 in the 12 months leading up to the publication of 'Women Hold Up Half the Sky: Selected Speeches of Nicola Sturgeon'

A fraud investigation has been launched against the publisher of a book of speeches by Nicola Sturgeon.

Police have opened a probe into £250,000 of taxpayers' money being handed to Sandstone Press of Inverness, which us run by ardent nationalist Robert Davidson.

The cash was awarded to the publisher by Highland and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Sandstone was given £120,000 in the 12 months leading up to the publication of 'Women Hold Up Half the Sky: Selected Speeches of Nicola Sturgeon'.

The book - with a foreword by crime writer and independence supporter Val McDermid -was released just days after the Scottish election.

According to the Sunday Mail, Keith Charters, managing director of book firm Strident Publishing, wrote to Sturgeon warning of concerns over Sandstone.

His subsequent police complaint, now the subject of an investigation, involves allegations of wrongdoing directed at both the publisher and HIE.

As well as the £120,000 of grants given last year, police are probing £175,000 of loans agreed with the company in 2019 which are all understood to have been drawn down.

Over the last 15 years Sandstone has benefited from over £500,000 of public money when grants from Creative Scotland are also taken into account.

The publisher has been accused of making false statements about the number of people employed, while HIE is alleged to have wrongly recorded the location of the firm which increased its eligibility for financial support.

It’s alleged that HIE gave the firm a funding score which suggests they were based outside Inverness, increasing it’s eligibility for support.

Charters said: “To date over £500,000 of public money has been used to prop up Sandstone Press.

"That includes the £120,000 it received in the 10 months prior to announcing it would be publishing a book of Nicola Sturgeon’s speeches in the week of the Scottish Parliament election.

"It is deeply concerning that, when we blew the whistle on how HIE had provided Sandstone with that £120,000 – when we provided the First Minister with detailed evidence of suspected wrongdoing – the response of her officials was to vilify us for daring to challenge on the basis of the evidence.

“That evidence not only indicated that Sandstone had claimed employees it did not have and a non-executive director it did not have but that HIE had scored an application from the Inverness-based company as if it were not located in Inverness.

"In fact, its offices were less than half a mile from HIE’s Inverness headquarters.”

Charters has also launched an appeal for a judicial review of some of the grant cash handed over by HIE.

Scottish Tory culture spokesman Donald Cameron said: “There are serious questions for the SNP government to answer.

“The SNP government was made aware of concerns surrounding this significant amount of public money just before the election period kicked off.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15049551 (211741ZNOV21) Notable: A culture of cover up: “I believed the doctors when they said my baby’s was an isolated case. Now I feel like a fool.”

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>>39311

>>39312

>>39313

Now here's a story some may find interesting…

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/queen-elizabeth-university-hospital-cover-up/

A culture of cover up: “I believed the doctors when they said my baby’s was an isolated case. Now I feel like a fool.”

Excoriating evidence given by a bereaved mother to a public inquiry into a flagship NHS hospital is to be kept secret after official lawyers objected to her testimony.

Theresa Smith, whose baby Sophia died 12 days after being born at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, is “devastated” her evidence will not now be made public.

She was allowed to give evidence in full to the inquiry led by Lord Brodie but, after legal applications by the Scottish Government and the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, much of it will remain private and is redacted on the inquiry’s website.

The judge agreed with the official lawyers that parts of her evidence could “cause public alarm” and damage the reputations of clinicians and officials, who had no chance to contest her claims.

The official moves to keep her evidence secret can be revealed days after Nicola Sturgeon promised she would not “tolerate cover-ups or secrecy on the part of any health board,” adding “where there are concerns, we will address those concerns.”

Yesterday, Mrs Smith and her husband Matthew, said they were dismayed by the ruling: “Obviously we are devastated the restriction order means people will not be able to see or hear our full evidence but because of those legal restrictions we can’t say more.”

Sources close to the couple said they are angry at being asked to give evidence only for it to be kept secret.

One said: “They have been asked to wait four years for the chance to explain how their daughter died and ask why in an official forum. Why were they asked to give evidence at all? It seems an odd sort of public inquiry that asks for evidence but refuses to make it public.”

The inquiry is into the troubled construction of two flagship hospitals, the QEUH and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, in Edinburgh.

In Glasgow, the building of the hospital was linked to ventilation and water supply problems blamed for the spread of viral infections and the death of patients, including children. The hospital has been repeatedly accused of concealment and cover-up of the problems.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, has led political calls for answers. Yesterday, he questioned why Mrs Smith’s evidence was ruled too contentious to be made public and said such orders must only be used as the very last resort or it risks public confidence in the inquiry.

He said: “Nicola Sturgeon last week told MSPs she will not tolerate cover-ups or secrecy from health boards but in this case her own officials acted to ensure evidence was heard in secret. The culture of cover-up and secrecy which has dominated the Scottish Governments response to this crisis cannot be allowed to shape the inquiry as well.”

The Smiths have waited more than four years for answers over why Sophia died at the £840 million hospital from a strain of the MRSA bug 12 days after being born in March 2017.

Legal teams acting for Scottish Government ministers and NHS Greater Glasgow argued that Mrs Smith’s statement contained allegations suggesting potential misconduct in public office, and criminal behaviour, which they strongly rejected.

They said if the allegations from the Smiths proved to be unfounded, the inquiry would have provided what they described as a “platform for the public dissemination of allegations with wide-reaching harmful effect on both public and private interests”.,,,,

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15056349 (221624ZNOV21) Notable: Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) Bun / The response of the Scottish Government between August 2002 and December 2014 to Petition PE535; Evidential Hearings: 17 November 2020 to 4 December 2020

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Hot off the press

>>39330

Nice that that should fortuitously preceed my introduction of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) releasing…

Case Study no. 6

The response of the Scottish Government between August

2002 and December 2014 to Petition PE535, and other key issues

raised by adult survivors of childhood abuse experienced in care

in Scotland arising after the petition was presented to the Scottish

Parliament.

Evidential Hearings: 17 November 2020 to 4 December 2020

I haven't read through it yet so I'll drop comments on the pages I find of interest as I read through.

attached (vii)

Ministers, civil servants and other key individuals

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/3024/scottish-government-findings.pdf

The main thing from where I am standing is that there may now be, from Lady (is she?) Anne Smith, the notion that this part of her inquiry is now over (case study no. 6), when in actual fact it should now only have just begun.

She also has to get her pretentious little head around the fact that this is supposed to be a "public" inquiry, that being said she should realise that ALL information in a public inquiry should and has to be, released in its entirety to the public, including the 17, 500 (approx) submission by Advocate John Halley. We won't put up with you whitewashing your fellows in the judiciary out of any meaningful investigation.

You have still to questtion Salmond, Sturgeon, MacAskill and Angela (crocodile tears) Constance, there will be others that have evaded any questioning with regard to this case study no 6.

She has questioned none of the Judges who have already been publicly named for "advising" Government not to hold an inquiry in to Child Abuse. These include, Lord Advocate Colin Boyd who "wasn't convinced" that a public inquiry was in the public interest; Lord Advocate Frank Mullholland, who also was "not convinced or persuaded" by the calls for a public inquiry; Lord Advocate Wolfe who was also against an inquiry…then of course there is Lord Brian Gill who as Lord President "was one of the people who felt that if we went down that route we woulfd be sucked into a swamp", see attached page 20 of the statement submitted to the inquiry by Michael Russell.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15089893 (272001ZNOV21) Notable: The SCAI originally was chaired by Susan O'Brien QC and all three members were selected by John Swinney and Angela Constance

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>>39334

>This was her ministerial statement to the scottish parliament on 17th December 2014 in relation to Historic Child Abuse in Scotland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBJwuVi-rQ

A wee bit more background…The SCAI originally was chaired by Susan O'Brien QC and all three members were selected by John Swinney and Angela Constance. The other 2 members were Prof Michael Lamb and another guy Glen Houston. Prof Lamb resigned from the inquiry citing "interference" by Scottish Government (Swinney) see attached article from STV at…

https://archive.news.stv.tv/politics/1358966-academic-resigns-from-child-abuse-inquiry-citing-interference.html

The Chair Susan O'Brien left soon after citing the same claims of Government interference and micromanaging of the inquiry…

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abuse-inquiry-chairwoman-quits-over-government-interference-0x2zj8pcm

>>39334

First to ask a question of Angela Constance is Iain Gray (Good Guy) I've attached some notes, which are important for people to see the collusion. I'm doubtful case no'6 will highlight this collusion by Gov't, Judiciary and others, I'm expecting it to be hidden along with John Halley's 17, 500 word submission to the inquiry prior to his removal for making a public statement drawing attention to his submission and refusal to cover up for those in high positions and their crimes against children.

Where are the other politicians "past and present" and other significant contributors to the delay in a public inquiry going to be questioned. People like for example, Lord Gill, Lord Boyd, Salmond, MacAskill, Constance, aids and advisors to ministers, we know they each have several advisors and personal secretaries, why are their advisors not being questioned along with these lordy type fucks?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15101419 (291947ZNOV21) Notable: Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) Bun / Pages (xii-xv) of the study

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>>39333

>Case Study no. 6

Pages (xii-xv) of the study

Summary and some comments.The Judiciary fighting all the way against a public inquiry, none questioned or named so far, though there is plenty in the summary to point the finger at them being largely responsible with the help of a collusive government for delaying the whole process in their determination not to hold such a thing.

attachment 5, rough content (subtitles not exact) of the question to Angela constance by Alison McInnes and the reply by Old Crocodile Tears….Lots of talk about avoiding the re-traumatising of victims/survivors….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBJwuVi-rQ

19 mins 35 secs approx for Alison McInnes question on statement of Constance, reply at 20 mins 20 secs.

….square that away with Swinney's compensation package, on a sliding scale from £10-80k depending on evidence he knows has been destroyed being given by the survivor/victim and forcing them to give up any right to civil claims against the perpetrators individually or collectively.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18872123.john-swinney-urged-axe-rule-abuse-survivors-sign-waiver-get-payout/

This guy Swinney has a hand in the cover up at many stages during the whole of SNP government (3 full terms +).

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15170610 (101630ZDEC21) Notable: Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) Bun / Pages 1-5, Introduction (pg 19-23 of the pdf)

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https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/3024/scottish-government-findings.pdf

Page 19-23 of the pdf.

Pages 1-5, Introduction.

Attached with added comment.

A wee reminder, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland it was I believe that advised John Swinney NOT to hold a public inquiry in to Historic Child Abuse in Scotland, having previously given the same advice to Michael Russell previously stating that he was "not persuaded" with the calls for a public inquiry.

Why was Frank Mulholland not questioned Lady (?) Anne? Why were the several others who are paid to "advise" also not questioned with regard to the 13+ years before an inquiry was announced?

Salmond was "advised" by Lord President Brian Gill not to have an inquiry for fear of being dragged in to a "swanp", of the Judiciary's making.

Jackie boy (now LORD) McConnell was advised by Colin Boyd then Lord Advocate not to proceed with any inquiry and "advised" for him to change his apology to victims from "on behalf of Government" to "on behalf of the Scottish people".

Why the fuck are none of these absolute CUNTS not being brought up for questioning, this case study should not have been completed without their oral testimony in front of the inquiry.

>>39336

>>39340

>>>/qresearch/14493547

>>>>/qresearch/14243430 SHAMING OF ABUSE PROBE FATCATS WHO WILL RECEIVE MORE CASH THAN THE VICTIMS

>>>/qresearch/14504670

>National Records Office in Edinburgh looking for them to initiate a search for the records of the FAI in to her death, knowing full well that they had been destroyed soon after he first starting trying to dig in to his past many years previous. Of course he was informed by the head of legal services that there were no records, even although the law states that such records must be kept for a minimum of 100 years: the records could not be found.

>

>>39311

>>39312

>This is the legal equivalent of taking a crap, a big hot steaming hot pile of shite and then covering it in butter-cream icing; then having the neck to call it a cake!!!

>

>These fuckers, all of them pictured and a whole lot more besides, covered it ALL up for years. ALL of it.

>

>John Swinney and McAskill were the two head coverer-upperers!! But they have all worked tirelessly to cover it all up. Since the start of the inquiry John Swinney has had his tentacles in to every charity, every newly started business who were given all the funding, ALL of them.

>>39313

>This is the legal equivalent of taking a crap, a big hot steaming hot pile of shite and then covering it in butter-cream icing; then having the neck to call it a cake!!!

>

>These fuckers, all of them pictured and a whole lot more besides, covered it ALL up for years. ALL of it.

>

>John Swinney and McAskill were the two head coverer-upperers!! But they have all worked tirelessly to cover it all up. Since the start of the inquiry John Swinney has had his tentacles in to every charity, every newly started business who were given all the funding, ALL of them.

>>39313

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15221578 (200004ZDEC21) Notable: ANTI-VAX DEMO ‘Hundreds’ of anti-vaxxers gather in Glasgow Green for protest and march to the city centre

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/8172457/hundreds-anti-vaxxers-glasgow-green-protest/

ANTI-VAX DEMO ‘Hundreds’ of anti-vaxxers gather in Glasgow Green for protest and march to the city centre

Harry WilliamsonJordan Tennant

19:30, 18 Dec 2021Updated: 22:35, 18 Dec 2021

HUNDREDS of anti-vaxxers gathered in Glasgow today for a protest against Covid restrictions.

The crowd gathered in Glasgow Green around 1pm and began to march through the city.

It was reported up to 200 anti-vaxxers gathered in the foggy park to take part in the protest.

Members of the crowd held placards with slogans opposing vaccines, mask wearing, vaccine passports and lockdowns.

The group marched from Glasgow Green to the city centre.

Cops escorted the demo through the city until it dispersed on Buchanan Street.

Police Scotland confirmed no one was arrested at the protest and they have launched a probe into the demo.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Officers were made aware of a protest in Glasgow Green on Saturday, 18 December.

"The crowd that was gathered began an unauthorised procession and a decision was taken to manage this to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the community.

"The group eventually gathered on Buchanan Street before dispersing. No arrests were made and enquiries are ongoing in relation to the incident.”

A similar protest in London saw anti-vaxxers violently clash with police as scuffles broke out at the demo down south.

London cops have reportedly been hurt as thousands of protesters waving placards gathered in Whitehall tonight.

A number of officers are believed to have suffered minor injuries as anti-lockdown campaigners marched through the streets of Westminster.

London mayor Sadiq Khan recently declared a major incident over the capital's surging Covid rates.

The Glasgow protest came as Scots were urged to stay at home amid rising Omicron cases.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned anyone who leaves home risks catching the Omicron variant and spending Christmas alone.

Omicron became the most dominant Covid strain in Scotland this week - making up 51.3 per cent of confirmed cases.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “I’m asking people in the run-up to Christmas to stay at home as much as they can. Every time we go anywhere now we’re at a not insignificant risk of getting Covid.

“Anyone who gets Covid now will be isolating over Christmas Day.

“Think about whether it’s worth it to you to run the risk of not being with your family on Christmas Day.”

New curbs have been introduced as infections are doubling every two to three days.

Scots have been asked to limit gatherings to three households in the run up to Christmas and new measures to prevent crowding in hospitality and retail have been reintroduced.

The new restrictions have seen the First Minister has called for the return of the furlough scheme - to protect workers in high risk industries.

All Scots adults have been encouraged to get their booster jabs before Hogmanay in an effort to tackle the surge.

People queued for hours outside vaccine centres to get the vital third jab - as two vaccines is said to not be enough protection against the new super strain.

All adults in Scotland were told earlier this week they could book their boosters.

One of the First Minister's advisers called for a circuit-breaker lockdown BEFORE Christmas to combat the Omicron "tsunami".

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15268761 (282153ZDEC21) Notable: Five new Scotland Covid rules everyone will have to follow from this week

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The poison dwarf strikes again! I wonder how many will listen now nearly 2 years down the line?

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/five-new-scotland-covid-rules-22574204

Five new Scotland Covid rules everyone will have to follow from this week

Nicola Sturgeon has introduced a raft of new measures in Scotland to help combat the sweeping tide of Omicron cases the country is facing.

Following a surge in Omicron cases in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government have implemented a raft of new coronavirus rules.

From hospitality, big events to new rules around contact sports, people in Edinburgh will have to ensure they are following the new restrictions in order to protect themselves against the new mutant Covid strain.

Some rules come into effect from Boxing Day, December 26, whereas others will begin from December 27.

So here are five new Covid rules everyone in Scotland will need to follow from this week.

Non-professional contact sports that take place indoors will also be banned from Boxing Day.

Sturgeon said that physical distancing is not possible during these activities and also creates a 'heightened risk of transmission'.

The First Minister has also asked people in Scotland to limit mixing to three different households following festivities.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15268972 (282226ZDEC21) Notable: Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) Bun / Pages 6-10 of Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) (Pg 24-28 of the .pdf file)

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>>39336

>>39341

The cover up is so fucking transparent I can't believe for a minute this Lady (?) Ann Smith, chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) is unable with all her qualifications in law to see it when an uneducated dafty like myself can see it all. She sees it all right, just is employed not to.

Here is the Youtube link to Lord Brian Gill's performance again, for anyone that needs reminding of the contempt which he and others like him in the establishment hold us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMlBc9XNxrc&t=2585s

Attached pages 6-10 of Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).

Pages 24-28 of the pdf file

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/3024/scottish-government-findings.pdf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15302353 (031944ZJAN22) Notable: Expert resigns from '˜doomed' Scots historical child abuse inquiry

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>>39347

>>39311

>TheScottish government has apologised "unreservedly" for what was described as a "woeful and wholly avoidable" 13-year delayin setting up a public inquiry into child abuse.

>>39331

>She was allowed to give evidence in full to the inquiry led by Lord Brodie but, afterlegal applications by the Scottish Governmentand the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board,much of it will remain private and is redacted on the inquiry’s website.

>>39335

>A wee bit more background…The SCAI originally was chaired by Susan O'Brien QC and all three members were selected by John Swinney and Angela Constance. The other 2 members were Prof Michael Lamb and another guy Glen Houston. Prof Lamb resigned from the inquiry citing "interference" by Scottish Government (Swinney) see attached article from STV at…

>

>https://archive.news.stv.tv/politics/1358966-academic-resigns-from-child-abuse-inquiry-citing-interference.html

>

>The Chair Susan O'Brien left soon after citing the same claims of Government interference and micromanaging of the inquiry…

>

>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abuse-inquiry-chairwoman-quits-over-government-interference-0x2zj8pcm

>

>A wee bit more background…The SCAI originally was chaired by Susan O'Brien QC and all three members were selected by John Swinney and Angela Constance. The other 2 members were Prof Michael Lamb and another guy Glen Houston. Prof Lamb resigned from the inquiry citing "interference" by Scottish Government (Swinney) see attached article from STV at…

>

>https://archive.news.stv.tv/politics/1358966-academic-resigns-from-child-abuse-inquiry-citing-interference.html

>

>The Chair Susan O'Brien left soon after citing the same claims of Government interference and micromanaging of the inquiry…

>

>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abuse-inquiry-chairwoman-quits-over-government-interference-0x2zj8pcm

mb6dx8n5

https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/expert-resigns-doomed-scots-historical-child-abuse-inquiry-1473313

Expert resigns from '˜doomed' Scots historical child abuse inquiry

An independent expert has resigned from his position on Scotland's child abuse inquiry claiming it is 'doomed' due to Scottish Government interference.

By The Newsroom

Tuesday, 28th June 2016, 6:20 pm

https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/susan-obrien-qc-resigns-as-chair-of-scottish-child-abuse-inquiry

>>39347

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15376666 (150019ZJAN22) Notable: Covid Scotland: Case rates lowest in unvaccinated as double-jabbed elderly drive rise in hospital admissions

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https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19843315.covid-scotland-case-rates-lowest-unvaccinated-double-jabbed-elderly-drive-rise-hospital-admissions/?ref=twtrec

Covid Scotland: Case rates lowest in unvaccinated as double-jabbed elderly drive rise in hospital admissions

By Helen McArdle @HMcardleHT Health Correspondent

DOUBLE-JABBED Scots are now more likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid than the unvaccinated amid an increase in elderly people falling ill due to waning immunity.

It comes amid "weird" data showing that case rates have been lower in unvaccinated individuals than the single, double, or even triple-jabbed since Omicron became the dominant variant in Scotland.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15399259 (172027ZJAN22) Notable: Sheriff in Lockerbie bomber trial arrested

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https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/79cf63da-7588-11ec-89e9-22d3d9c31ba2?shareToken=bf68c238584ba089f8aae2e13a991e3d

Sheriff in Lockerbie bomber trial arrested

A former sheriff who represented the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has been arrested and charged as part of a mystery police investigation.

Alistair Duff, 67, was arrested last month but officers and prosecutors have refused to give details about the accusations against thesenior judiciary figure.

Duff was appointed as a resident sheriff at Dundee sheriff court in 2004 and nameddirector of the Judicial Institute for Scotland in 2014. He retired from his prolific 45-year legal career shortly before his arrest, having stood down from the institute in early December.

Neighbours of his home in Leven, Fife, told The Sun they had not seen the former sheriff for weeks.

A source said staff at the courts where Duff used to work were left “shocked” by the news, adding: “Word about his arrest started doing the rounds here this week. He is very highly regarded and was an excellent sheriff. No one is really sure what has gone on. The lawyers are all talking about it now. It will all come out in due course.”

Another source told the Daily Record that the sheriff had “resigned suddenly because he’s been charged by the police for something”.

Duff’s profile wasremovedfrom the Judiciary of Scotland website yesterday.

Duff became a solicitor in 1977, at first working as a prosecutor before switching in 1981 to a criminal defence brief. He represented Megrahi, a Libyan national, who was found guilty of the Lockerbie Pan-Am aircraft bombing that killed 270 people.

More recently he was part of a commission led by Lord Bracadale to investigate alleged “inappropriate sexual behaviour” by Jack Brown, 61, a sheriff in Aberdeen.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Following a complaint and subsequent investigation, a 67-year-old man was charged and has been reported to the procurator fiscal.”

Another Scottish judge arrested!

Things are looking up. Perhaps they are no longer untouchable?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15412530 (190925ZJAN22) Notable: Royal horror as Queen's Scottish residence daubed with 'paedo home' slur – police on case

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https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1551470/queen-news-police-vandalism-palace-of-holyroodhouse-scotland

Royal horror as Queen's Scottish residence daubed with 'paedo home' slur – police on case

POLICE are trying to find the vandal responsible for spraying two remarks, including the words "paedo home", on the wall of the Queen's residence in Scotland.

By Chloe Davies

16:55, Mon, Jan 17, 2022 | UPDATED: 20:24, Mon, Jan 17, 2022

On the morning of Sunday, January 16, two defamatory remarks were pictured on the outer walls of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. An investigation has been launched to find those responsible for the remarks which were sprayed onto the brickwork outside the Queen’s Scottish residence, the property where she usually resides in the summer months.

One photograph shows the words “paedo home” in large white letters sprayed along one wall, while the palace is visible in the background.

While a second image shows the words “burn Tory scum” written along the same wall in a similar style.

A snap of the latter vandalism aimed at the Conservatives was shared on Twitter by Rory Richmond, a law student from Glasgow.

He accompanied the image with a short caption reading: “This was photographed at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh earlier today.

“We must condemn and confront the mindless acts of vandalism and hatred.”

The tweet has received almost 300 likes and has had dozens of comments and retweets of people sharing their outrage.

One user, Kenny, wrote: “Appalling vandalism … there are no excuses for it at all, it's criminality whether or not it suits your political party of choice.

“I really do hope the one(s) who did this are caught and dealt with.”

Another user Dom M described the vandalism as “disgusting”, while a third @Zicklerone called the spray “harsh”.

Police have launched an investigation and are calling for anyone with knowledge of the vandalism to get in touch.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received a report of vandalism on an external wall at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh which happened between 4pm on Saturday, January 15 and 8 am on Sunday, January 16.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact police via 101, quoting incident number 1071 of 16 January.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15547254 (042318ZFEB22) Notable: £50m of public cash ploughed into firm linked to tax haven by bank set up by Nicola Sturgeon

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-national-bank-hands-50m-26087036

£50m of public cash ploughed into firm linked to tax haven by bank set up by Nicola Sturgeon

The Scottish National Investment Bank was launched in 2020 by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

A bank set up by Nicola Sturgeon has ploughed £50million of public money into a firm linked to a tax haven.

The money has been handed to asset managers Gresham House to invest in a forestry fund aimed at "high-net-worth" clients seeking "tax efficient structures".

The company has admitted owning a management company in Guernsey – widely regarded as a tax haven – and chairman Anthony Townsend was named in the Paradise Papers as having previously been a director of an offshore firm in the Isle of Man.

Gresham House claims its forests will help capture 1.2 million tons of carbon emissions.

But opposition politicians have questioned the Scottish National Investment Bank's (SNIB) deal and environmental campaigners have raised concerns over its green credentials.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: "People who work hard and willingly pay their tax in the hope that it will be used to provide decent public services will be appalled to think their money could be handed to a firm that specialises in helping extremely rich people avoid paying tax.

"There needs to be proper scrutiny of the SNIB and the investments it makes.

"The £50million Gresham House deal is concerning.

"When companies operate in the UK but also have subsidiaries offshore which can help them legally avoid tax, it impacts on all of us.

"It means that governments may not have enough money to fund the NHS, teach our children and give pensioners a decent pension.

"The SNP have a dire record when it comes to pumping our money into the private sector – from the Ferguson shipyard and Prestwick Airport to disastrous private finance schemes to build hospitals, the amounts of public money squandered are mind-boggling."

Investment in commercial forestry opens access to a number of tax breaks in the UK.

There is no income tax, corporation tax or capital gains tax in relation to growing timber.

Gresham House boasts that it should provide income "free of tax" and qualify for 100 per cent relief from inheritance tax once held for two years.

The £4billion firm's website states: "We understand that many clients want to pass on as much of their wealth to family as possible.

"Forestry funds are accessible to high-net-worth, professional and sophisticated clients via inheritance tax efficient structures".

part 1

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15555808 (052322ZFEB22) Notable: Ottawa Freedom Convoy: Scottish anti-lockdown supporters hold Edinburgh solidarity march

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>>>/qresearch/15502254

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/19902570.ottawa-freedom-convoy-scottish-anti-lockdown-supporters-hold-edinburgh-solidarity-march/

Ottawa Freedom Convoy: Scottish anti-lockdown supporters hold Edinburgh solidarity march

Anti-lockdown protestors have held a rally in Edinburgh in solidarity with Canadian truckers dubbed the ‘Ottawa Freedom Convoy’.

A group of sympathisers drove from Glasgow to Edinburgh where they met with other demonstrators at Holyrood Park.

Despite pouring rain and strong winds, the group held a march and rally, carrying signs opposing furure lockdowns and other anti-Covid measures.

The protest was in support of a group of lorry Drivers in Canada who are opposing plans to introduce mandatory vaccine passports for hauliers crossing the border with the US.

Similar protests are have been organised in other countries. Former President Donald Trump is said to be among the drivers’ supporters.

In today’s Scottish protest, around 30 vehicles took to the M8 this morning. A video posted on Twitter showed the convoy was being led by a Police Scotland motorcycle.

The footage - shot from a bridge over the motorway - includes cars and vans tooting their horns as the onlookers cheer. The tweet claims traffic had been slowed to 40mph.

David Clews, Lead Correspondent for ‘Unity News Network’, told the Daily Express: "We are opposed to the global tyranny that is currently taking place, we're out supporting what is going on in Canada and Australia.

"We still have major issues in the UK, especially in Scotland, but primarily, today is to show solidarity with the people in Canada who have been demonised and attacked, who are just standing up for freedom."

I tried to embed the video from the article but with no success. Worth a watch, love the wee lady Catherine, fiesty wee wummin.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15580432 (082327ZFEB22) Notable: Marie McNair MSP: Police called to office over protesters

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https://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/19905946.marie-mcnair-msp-police-called-office-protesters/

Marie McNair MSP: Police called to office over protesters

By Tristan Stewart-Robertson

Chief Reporter

Police were called to the offices of Clydebank's MSP when a group of protesters entered the premises on Monday.

Officers attended the Titan Enterprise Business Centre in the town just before 11am on February 7.

The group is understood to have gathered in protest at any move to turn restrictions imposed during the pandemic into permanent measures.

There were no arrests.

A spokesperson for Marie McNair MSP said: “It was alarming that intruders turned up unannounced and forced past reception staff.

“This meant that agreed protocols were followed, including the police being called.

“Given the tragic incident that resulted in David Amess MP losing his life last year, parliamentarians have been advised by the police and the parliamentary security team to take extra care to protect themselves and their staff. That is what Marie will always do.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of a group of protesters entering an office building in Clydebank on Monday, February 7, 2022. They left peacefully.

"No criminality was established however advice has been given."

This anon has just heard from a highly reliable source that there was no "protesters" in attendance at Marie McNair's office.

There were in fact no more than 1 dozen concerned constituents who wanted to hand over their signed and written objections to…

"…any move to turn restrictions imposed during the pandemic into permanent measures."

It is my understanding that several attempts had been made to send copies of these objections (numbering more than 100, but handed over by the smaller group to secure witness that she (McNair) had been made aware of the objections of her constituents.

Attempts had been made apparently to send them by e-mail, which went unanswered over a, the same by post and latterly by "registered post"; all attempts were met with no response or recognition of their receipt.

This led to some of the more than 100 who wanted their MSP to be aware of their objections attending her office and requesting from the reception desk staff that she be made aware of their presence and asked to come to the desk and take possession of their written correspondence. She chose not to and refused to allow reception to take them to her office and deliver them.

They then made their way to the waiting room outside her office, where they waited patiently. It is told to I that there were two ladies visible in the office and assuming the 2nd to be a constituent they did not try to enter the office or even knock on the door.

When police turned up after consultation with the officers in attendance the papers were accepted without the MSP signing to acknowledge receipt of them. They the constituents after some peaceful dialogue with the police left the building.

So there were no protesters is my understanding and there was no protest, merely a handful or 2 of concerned residents of Clydebank wishing to have dialogue with their (MSP) Member of the Scottish Parliament.

I am now even more likely to err on the side of FF for the “tragic incident that resulted in David Amess MP losing his life last year"

We all knew that would be used for them to cower behind and they are. They are now so afraid of their constituents (masters) that they cower in their offices and call police when their constituents request to have justifiable and prescient dialogue with them.

CUNTS!

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15585284 (091440ZFEB22) Notable: John Swinney rebuked by statistics watchdog for trying to 'spin reality' on Covid figures

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/john-swinney-snp-statistics-authority-26172129

John Swinney rebuked by statistics watchdog for trying to 'spin reality' on Covid figures

Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney has come under fire from the UK Statistics Authority over the use of Covid-19 data.

John Swinney has been rebuked by the statistics watchdog for his statements on the impact of Covid curbs.

The Deputy First Minister was slated by the UK Statistics Authority after a complaint was submitted by Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie.

Speaking last month on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Swinney claimed figures showing one in 40 Scots were infected compared to one in 25 in England were “the strongest evidence that the measures taken in Scotland are protecting the population from Covid.”

However, the Office for National Statistics said that figures he quoted related to a period before extra restrictions were introduced in Scotland to tackle Omicron.

In a letter to Ms Baillie, chairman of the UK Statistics Authority Sir David Norgrove said listeners may have thought “he was referring to the period after Christmas when new restrictions came into force”.

Ms Baillie accused the Deputy First Minister of trying to "spin reality" following the letter, adding: "This is clear evidence that John Swinney has failed in his duty to be clear with the people of Scotland.

"But this is not the first time that ministers from this SNP government have sought to spin reality rather than being truthful with the people of Scotland.

"Public trust in the government is of paramount importance during a pandemic - but Mr Swinney's actions are putting that in danger.

"We need the SNP government to stop the spin and be straight with the people that they serve."

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie, added: "John Swinney has been spinning like a top.

"This government needs to be straight with people about the pandemic otherwise there is a real risk that public trust breaks down."

Mr Swinney previously apologised after he was reported to the UK Statistics Authority for sharing an inaccurate graphic on social media in July last year.

The graphic claimed it was impossible for two people wearing masks and being six feet apart from contracting Covid.

The Scottish Government said it was unable to validate the source of the information with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying she would “reflect” on the use of the information, which had been disputed by international fact-checking services.

In response, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: "As noted by the ONS, the Deputy First Minister used the latest available data at the time to make the entirely valid point that the different approach being taken here was helping to protect people from the virus, given the substantial differences in COVID protections between Scotland and England prior to Boxing Day.

“Responding to a similar complaint from Willie Rennie, Sir David Norgrave said the First Minister was correct to state the figure for England was more than 20 per cent higher than the figure for Scotland, and that the data does suggest the rate of infection is lower in Scotland than in England.”

Yeah, John is a CUNT, a dirty wee lying paedophile protecting CUNT. John will tell any lie, cover up any crime as long as the price is right, be it in coin or in position, he will even work as hard as he can to deny, water down, or hide information related to Royal, Political and Judicial child abuse. Don't be like John, don't be a CUNT.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15588170 (092056ZFEB22) Notable: Inquiry: Bosses protected senior social worker accused of serial sexual abuse

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https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/sean-bell/

Inquiry: Bosses protected senior social worker accused of serial sexual abuse

A network of supportive senior managers protected a social worker accused of sexual and physical abuse, an inquiry has found.

Sean Bell’s bosses at City of Edinburgh Council’s ­children and families service even arranged a collection when he was signed off from his work with ill health while police investigated allegations.

The 59-year-old was found dead at the foot of Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh in August 2020 while awaiting trial for sexual offences. His victims said the council was to blame for allowing Bell’s abuse to continue unchecked.

The investigation, led by QC Susanne Tanner, found Bell’s abuse was verbal, physical and sexual. At least three witnesses were repeatedly sexually assaulted by Bell and the inquiry warned they were unlikely to be the only survivors. His behaviour was an open secret at the council, according to the report, and Bell exploited his senior position to ­discredit one victim.

In a joint statement, ­provided to The Sunday Post, the three victims said: “We welcome the findings of this comprehensive investigation. It is a huge relief to finally be listened to and believed. Sean Bell was a predatory, controlling, serial abuser – sexually, physically, emotionally and psychologically. His actions devastated the lives of so many – particularly women – over decades. It has been an ongoing nightmare.

“To City of Edinburgh Council, we say this – it is your fault Sean Bell’s repeated abuse was allowed to continue for so long. We urge you to implement every single recommendation in this report. Learn the lessons and never let this happen again.”

Former education ­director Alastair Gaw, who resigned last year, and Andy Jeffries, a senior manager in the children and families department who quit in August, are both criticised in the report. Bell’s inappropriate behaviour was reported to his bosses on multiple occasions over many years and police should have been informed, the report said, but Jeffries and Gaw decided to take no further action.

The report said that when Bell was accused of seriously assaulting a colleague in the 2010s, Jeffries and Gaw did nothing.

When a police ­investigation into historic offences did begin and Bell went off on leave, Jeffries organised a collection and circulated an email among staff that said: “I have passed on to Sean the huge number of warm wishes relayed to me by colleagues and we are all wishing him a good recovery.”

Bell, Jeffries and Gaw were members of a network offering misplaced support, according to the report, which said: “If any of them were in trouble, or subject to investigation, their cases would often be reviewed by other individuals in the network. Thus, objectivity and impartiality were absent.”

It added: “The inquiry team is of the view that Sean Bell’s position within the network may have afforded him a certain level of protection.”

Conservatives local government spokesman Jeremy Balfour said there were many questions still to be answered. He said: “The SNP-Labour council must ensure full transparency is given to survivors who have been left with many unanswered questions.”

The report recommends reform of the council’s system of investigating complaints of sexual and physical abuse.

A parallel investigation led by Tanner into the wider organisational culture of the council is ongoing.

Edinburgh council chief executive Andrew Kerr said: “This report lays bare the extent of his abuse and the terrible and long-lasting impact it had, and continues to have, on their lives.

“Regrettably, it is clear from evidence gathered that senior officers of the council did not act on extremely serious disclosures by survivors, and others.”

Law firm Pinsent Masons, which carried out the inquiry, said: “From the outset, the inquiry team’s approach to the inquiry has been survivor-led. It has engaged with the survivors throughout the process and they had sight of the closed and open reports prior to publication.”

Edinburgh councillors will discuss the report at a meeting on Thursday.

I grabbed the screenshot of the headline just to show that NI are expected to make a public apology in March…

Ireland had one, Scotland is still in the process of one, England whitewashed one and all of them conveniently left out the great and the good in politics, the judiciary and every other arm of government from their remit.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15618668 (131919ZFEB22) Notable: NHS hospital doctor arrested for ‘sexual assault’ on a child patient as police ‘identify eight more potential victims’

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/8424216/nhs-hospital-doctor-sexual-assault/

ABUSE CLAIMS NHS hospital doctor arrested for ‘sexual assault’ on a child patient as police ‘identify eight more potential victims’

Sarah Grealish, 23:38, 12 Feb 2022

AN NHS doctor has been arrested on suspicion of child sexual assault - and cops have identified at least nine potential victims.

The 34-year-old had been working as an A&E clinician at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and dealt with thousands of patients in the few years.

Concerns were raised over the 34-year-old’s conduct nearly four years ago but he was allowed to return to work due to a lack of evidence.

He was arrested in December after parents of two girls aged seven and 15 made complaints about the doctor's conduct, reports The Sunday Times.

Now a major incident investigation has identified concerns in at least 109 patients who were seen by the doctor.

In 2018 he was suspended after the parents of a vulnerable young girl complained about his examination of their daughter.

A formal investigation was launched by Staffordshire police and the General Medical Council.

He was suspended for a year - but returned to work in 2019 when police said there was a lack of evidence.

He then completed his two-year training at Stoke hospital and took a new job in August 2020 in Dudley.

Last year concerns were again raised after complaints from parents of the two girls aged seven and 15.

He was excluded from his role in March 2021 and was suspended from practicing in October.

He has now been released on bail - and denies all allegations.

During his time at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, he saw more than 800 patients - including 350 kids.

Staffordshire Police and the NHS have now launched Operation Anzu to review the clinical records of children seen by the doctor.

The Staffordshire force has also reported itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A spokesperson said: “A 34-year-old man, from the West Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in December 2021. He was released on bail with conditions pending further inquiries.”

They added that they are “reviewing an investigation into the same suspect it undertook in 2018”.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15636578 (152343ZFEB22) Notable: Man handed record £1,400,000 in damages over allegation he was raped by monks

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https://metro.co.uk/2022/02/15/scotland-man-allegedly-raped-by-monks-wins-record-1400000-damages-16107129/amp/

Man handed record £1,400,000 in damages over allegation he was raped by monks

Sam CorbishleyTuesday 15 Feb 2022

For 30 years a middle-aged former Catholic boarding school pupil tried to bury the memories of what happened when monks would creep into ‘the favourite boys room’.

Now 54, the man named only as AB, claimed both he and his brother were among the dozens of children targeted at St Ninian’s School in Falkland, Fife, in the late 1960s, 70s, and early 80s.

After keeping his past a secret – even from his wife and daughter – he has now been awarded almost £1.4 million in damages after launching a civil case against the Christian Brothers religious order which ran the school.

He accused Brothers Ryan, Farrell, and Kelly of repeatedly raping, sexually assaulting, and beating him while studying there between February 1980 and April 1981, beginning when he was just 12.

AB described how the trio would target children from a dorm they sinisterly referred to as the ‘favourite boys room’, from which classmates would be able to hear their screams.

He said the monks would also sit up at night drinking and listening to Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie.

The song still triggers flashbacks of lying under the duvet trembling in fear at the thought of them coming back to abuse him again.

Recalling the moment he finally opened up on his ordeal, to police in 2013, AB said: ‘I just broke down in tears. Until then I’d been living in my head for 30 years.

The Christian Brothers congregation tried to have the civil case thrown out, but a sheriff dismissed the attempt in a written judgement released on February 4.

Speaking after the ruling, AB said he hopes the landmark decision will inspire other abuse victims to fight for justice.

The court heard AB has suffered mentally and physically because of the alleged abuse.

Dr Wild, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychology at Stobhill Hospital, said the victim described ‘symptoms consistent with social anxiety, and acute periods of panic’.

The written judgement ruled that AB went on to take drugs ‘to feel normal inside’ and ‘clear his memory from the abuse’ after what had happened.

Evidence provided noted the claimant has suffered depression, anxiety, panic attacks, self-harm and sleeping problems since he left the school, and he went on to abuse various drugs, including cannabis and heroin, and attempted to take his own life.

AB also consumed ‘excessive alcohol’ and developed stage four liver cirrhosis, the case heard.

In July 2016, at the High Court in Glasgow, Brother Farrell was convicted of four abuse charges and Brother Kelly was convicted of six charges.

Both charges involved children aged between 11 and 15 years old. They were both jailed in August 2016 – Farrell for five years and Kelly for 10 years.

Brother Ryan died in July 2013 before he could be investigated.

AB’s evidence did not play a part in the convictions, but this month sheriff Christopher Dickson ruled there was enough proof to find the Christian Brothers order liable to pay damages.

This included compensation (£95,000), interest on compensation offered during and after abuse (£73,990), past wage loss and interest on past wage loss due to AB’s difficulty in maintaining a job (£1,008,937), future wage loss (£190,043), pension loss (£23,100) and future cost of treatment, including cognitive behavioural therapy (£2,200) – a total of £1,393,270.

The Christian Brothers sect, which accepted that Brother Ryan was a predatory paedophile, tried to have the civil action thrown out as the death of the monk meant they could not investigate AB’s allegations.

They also said there were ‘large gaps’ in AB’s evidence and argued that memory was ‘especially unreliable’ when it comes to recalling the past.

Olivia Bell, an independent registered forensic psychologist whom the Christian Brothers’ lawyers brought in to give evidence, said a person’s memory could be influenced by ‘post event information’.

Investigative interviewing could also influence the accuracy and amount of detail provided by a witness, she said, and some studies stated that cannabis use could induce false memories.

But Sheriff Christopher Dickson dismissed her comments as ‘inadmissible’.

Kim Leslie, Partner at Digby Brown, said she is not aware of any higher sums every being awarded to a victim and described the settlement as a ‘landmark’ case.

According to evidence in the written judgment from Detective Constable Andrew Gilmore, police investigations identified 35 victims of abuse linked to St Ninian’s.

After the criminal trial in 2016, he said police identified a further 20 to 30 victims of abuse at the school.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15681307 (211144ZFEB22) Notable: SNP sex guidance 'effectively lowers age of consent to 13' say campaigners

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-sex-guidance-effectively-lowers-26280814

SNP sex guidance 'effectively lowers age of consent to 13' say campaigners

The Scottish Government now recommends police officers, teachers and social workers should not automatically inform parents if their child is having sex before the age of 16

The SNP-run Scottish Government has been accused of effectively lowering the legal age of consent in Scotland to just 13 by campaigners.

New guidance for police, teachers and social workers states that parents should not be automatically told if their children are having sex before the age of 16.

Instead, the policy says that if a young person is in a "safe and mutually respectful" relationship, their "confidentiality" should be respected.

The change has been blasted by family campaigners and the Catholic church.

The row follows on from the controversy surrounding the SNP's hated 'sex survey' for school children.

Although the guidance still recognises the legal age of consent as 16 - and those aged 13 to 16 would still be committing an offence - it also states teenagers will not be automatically considered at "risk of significant harm," reports the Mail on Sunday.

Instead, factors such as age or whether alcohol or drugs were involved will be considered. Whether there is a "power imbalance" or whether grooming, bribing or coersion is involved will also be taken into account.

The guidance says: "If sexual activity is taking place/has taken place within a safe and mutually respectful relationship, then confidentiality should generally be maintained as there is a high threshold for when the duty of confidentiality should be outweighed.

"The facts and circumstances of each case must be carefully considered before deciding if the public interest favours the disclosure of confidential information."

It adds: "Information may lawfully be shared where there is an overriding interest which outweighs the duty of confidentiality. Overriding confidentiality must be justified and proportionate, taking into account the nature and probability of risk to the young person and/or others.

"The child's wishes and feelings must be heard and taken into account. The reasons for decisions made (for instance, in relation to information sharing) must be recorded."

However, the Family Education Trust says the rules now make the legal age of consent "effectively" 13.

Piers Shepherd of the Trust told the MoS: "This guidance, while acknowledging that the age of consent is 16, effectively ignores it in practice as long as it is taking place in a safe and mutually respectful relationship.

"It is effectively a charter for underage sex. The whole emphasis on confidentiality shows scant respect for parents who are principal legal guardians.

"If a young person under 16 is involved in sexual activity, it raises serious health and safety concerns. Parents are best placed to shield children from the harmful effects of underage sexual activity."

A spokesman for the Catholic Church described the guidance as "morally bankrupt" and said it "entirely ignores the statutory protection given to children and should be revised immediately".

He added: "Believing children are equipped to make moral judgments about how they behave sexually fundamentally undermines child protection. The sheer hypocrisy is highlighted by the fact that the Scottish Government requires applications for the new free bus travel card for young people to be made by a parent, if the young person is under 16."

The Scottish Government has defended the guidance, which is included in its 276- page National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021.

A spokesman said: "This non-statutory guidance does not conflict in any way with the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, which maintains the age of consent at 16.

"The law continues to make clear that society does not encourage sexual intercourse in young people under 16. It does not, however, follow that there are child protection concerns in all cases.

"Overriding confidentiality must be justified and proportionate, taking into account the nature and probability of risk to the young person and/or others. The child's wishes and feelings must be heard and taken into account."

But Meghan Gallacher, Scottish Conservative spokeswoman for Children and Young People, said: "Maintaining clear and robust age of consent regulations is crucial to protecting children from potential abuse.

"It is vital for children's safety that guidance on this is as straightforward as possible. Any grey or contradictory areas could result in child safety being impacted."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15685304 (212237ZFEB22) Notable: GET WELL SOON, MA'AM The Queen tested positive for Covid after outbreak swept through staff and aides at Windsor Castle

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/fabulous/8462183/queen-tested-positive-covid-outbreak-windsor-castle/

GET WELL SOON, MA'AM The Queen tested positive for Covid after outbreak swept through staff and aides at Windsor Castle

THE Queen is “determined to carry on” after testing positive for Covid — by working from home at Windsor.

The 95-year-old is in ­isolation and being monitored around the clock.

Hours after her test she signed off a statement hailing Team GB’s Olympic medal-winning curlers.

As the nation wished her a speedy recovery yesterday Her Majesty was said to be ­suffering mild symptoms.

She returned her positive result during a routine morning test.

The monarch has been placed in isolation and will be monitored by doctors round the clock.

Palace sources said the Queen — who is triple-jabbed — is on “light duties” and will “work from home”.

She is said to be “determined to carry on” and expects to fulfil engagements later this week.

A Covid-19 outbreak was found in staff at Windsor Castle on Friday.

The Palace would not yesterday confirm how many were off sick, but it is believed to be enough to be significant.

Aides are not currently “overly-concerned” for the Queen but aware of the dangers Covid poses to a woman of her age, sources added.

Prince Charles, 73, and his wife ­Camilla, 74, both tested positive in the past two weeks.

Palace sources say it is unlikely the Queen caught Covid from them.

It is understood that Prince Andrew, 62 — who was in the castle every night last week — does not have the virus.

A royal source said: “There are procedures in place but there’s been a wave at Windsor with a number of cases among household staff.

“The Queen has mild cold-like symptoms and plans to carry out light duties. She is determined to carry on.”

Video calls and planned engagements remain in the diary, sources stressed.

But it is unlikely that face-to-face engagements will go ahead for the time being.

The positive PCR test result sparked fresh health concerns for Her Majesty after Prince Charles initially sparked Covid fears for her nearly a fortnight ago.

He tested positive two days after they had afternoon tea at Windsor Castle. Camilla was also diagnosed with the virus several days later.

'WORRYING TIME'

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace broke the news of the Queen’s diagnosis at 11.45am

He added: “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines.”

In a bid to stress the Queen was suffering only mild symptoms, the Palace then issued a statement “signed off” by her to celebrate Team GB’s gold and silver medals in the curling at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

She wrote: “I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you in your great success.”

Royal expert Angela Levin said: “It is a very worrying time because you don’t know what can happen and when.

"You don’t want to totally isolate her. She needs contact with people — she has done that ever since she came to the throne.

“It would make her sad and think about negative things because that is what you do when you are on your own for a long time.”

Commentator Alastair Bruce said the news was “a worry” but that the Queen is well looked after and is “a fighter”.

Royal biographer Robert Jobson said: “The Queen is 96 in April and Covid of course, whether you’ve been vaccinated three times as Her Majesty has, it still has an impact particularly on older people.

“There is no doubt the Prince of Wales and his family will be concerned by this development and won’t be complacent.”

FULFIL MAJOR JOBS

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: “The Queen is incredibly stoic and of a different generation. Anyone who grew up in the war, they hate this kind of fuss.

“She would hate the idea it was publicly being acknowledged she has Covid. But she understands that it must be.

“She is probably far more concerned that Russia might be invading Ukraine.

“She will be determined nothing is going to stop her getting through this Platinum Jubilee and if she has to stay in Windsor Castle through a new bubble for the next ten days, so be it.

"She is probably almost relieved she has it now and can get over it and go on with things.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15767624 (030112ZMAR22) Notable: These MPs praised ‘brave’ Russian protesters – then voted to restrict protest in the UK

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https://www.bigissue.com/news/activism/these-mps-praised-brave-russian-protesters-then-voted-to-restrict-protest-in-the-uk/

These MPs praised ‘brave’ Russian protesters – then voted to restrict protest in the UK

One MP commended Russians who had taken to the streets to protest, only to vote to ban protests in the UK if they’re too noisy.

Tory MPs may have been busy expressing their admiration for Russians risking arrest to take part in anti-war marches – but that didn’t stop them voting to restrict the right to protest here in the UK.

Three MPs, who publicly praised the protesters as “brave”, and called for Russians to “stand up against the Kremlin regime” voted on Monday night to support new restrictions on protests in the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts bill.

They were among a majority of MPs who voted to allow police to restrict protests which cause serious disruption, and to restrict single-person protests – throwing out votes passed by the House of Lords to stop these measures.

Leading human rights charity Liberty said it was “disappointing and hypocritical to see MPs voting to criminalise forms of dissent in the UK”.

Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye, stood up in parliament on Thursday to call for greater support for Russian protesters.

“President Zelensky gave a powerful and stirring speech yesterday that called on the Russian people to stand up to President Putin over his illegal invasion, and we have already seen extensive protests across Russia.

She asked armed forces minister James Heappey: “Can [he] join President Zelensky in calling on Russian citizens, who have never experienced a real democracy, to stand up against the Kremlin regime and its unprovoked aggression?”

On Monday night, Hart voted against the amendments put forward by the Lords.

Tom Tugendhat, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, retweeted a video of demonstrators risking arrest by marching through Moscow, and said: “Russia deserves better”.

Tugendhat also voted to scrap the Lords amendments.

Julian Sturdy, the Conservative MP for York Outer, praised the bravery of those protesting on the streets of Russia.

“We must also commend the brave Russian men and women who took to the streets of Moscow and St Petersburg to protest the war and show solidarity with their Slavic neighbours in Ukraine,” he wrote.

Sturdy also voted to keep anti-protest measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts (PCSC) bill.

Jun Pang, policy and campaigns officer at Liberty, told The Big Issue the protests in Russia highlighted the importance of civil resistance.

“We should all be able to stand up to power and have our voices heard. All around the world, people in their communities see protest as a critical way we speak up for what we believe in. We’ve all been moved by the bravery of Russian protesters risking arrest to stand up against the invasion of Ukraine, as well as the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators globally who’ve shown support for Ukraine and called on their governments to welcome those fleeing violence,” Pang said

“Recent events have reminded us just how important protest is for people all around the world – which is why it’s so disappointing and hypocritical to see MPs voting to criminalise forms of dissent here in the UK. Last night, MPs voted to give police sweeping new protest-related powers, including the power to restrict protests that are too noisy or risk causing unease.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/15792004 (052133ZMAR22) Notable: Celtic Boys Club: Nicola Sturgeon REFUSED to include football scandals in child abuse public inquiry

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>>>/qresearch/15502230

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/celtic-boys-club-nicola-sturgeon-26386814?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

Celtic Boys Club: Nicola Sturgeon REFUSED to include football scandals in child abuse public inquiry

Survivors groups called for football clubs to be included in Lady Smith's public inquiry more than SIX YEARS ago

Nicola Sturgeon knocked back the chance to include child abuse in football in the SNP's public inquiry into historic care scandals.

The First Minister is under growing pressure to set up an independent probe into claims of a cover-up at Celtic Boys Club in Glasgow.

However, she was given the opportunity to include football in Lady Smith's public inquiry more than SIX YEARS ago.

The inquiry was launched in October 2015 to investigate historic abuse of children in care by bodies including religious orders, charities, boarding schools and councils.

Then Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale called on Ms Sturgeon to expand the remit to include football clubs during FMQs on December 8, 2016.

She said: "Former footballers have found the courage to come forward and disclose how they suffered abuse at the hands of paedophile coaches.

"Yet they will not be able to bring their cases to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry because they were not in care when they were abused. This is true for all those who suffered abuse in youth groups, parishes or other sports clubs.

"Survivors groups have asked for the inquiry’s remit to be extended to all situations where a duty of care existed. Labour has backed that call, and the growing tide of revelations from footballers adds to that demand. Will the First Minister reconsider the inquiry’s remit?"

She added: "Survivors of child abuse deserve justice and the wait for the inquiry has already been too long. It holds out the promise of justice, but in restricting just who - and what - will be investigated, it will deny that justice."

Responding to the calls, Ms Sturgeon said: "To widen the remit of that inquiry would mean that it would take perhaps many years longer to conclude its investigations and would risk it becoming completely unwieldy.

"We would be at risk I think of breaking our word to the survivors of in-care abuse.

"My view is we should allow that inquiry to get on with its job and we should allow the police to get on with their job of investigating allegations of abuse in football."

The inquiry is still ongoing, with the total cost now a staggering £51.7million in the six years to December 2021. It was originally supposed to take around four years to conclude.

Swinney joined FM in blocking inquiry expansion

Deputy First Minister John Swinney also ruled out extending the inquiry's remit to include football clubs in December 2016, when he was education secretary.

He said: "I won't do that. Survivors group want that [the inquiry] to proceed. They don't want the timescale extended, which would be an inevitable consequence of extending into other sectors, whether that was football or any other sector."

Instead, the SNP administration backed an SFA-led review - without any statutory powers and lacking the weight of a judge-led public inquiry - into abuse in football.

Its findings were published in February 2021, with senior clubs including Rangers, Hibernian, Motherwell and Partick Thistle all named in the testimonies from survivors, along with Celtic Boys Club.

peaking in 2016, ex-Scottish Labour MSP Iain Gray said: “Last week Kezia Dugdale called for the remit of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to be extended, which is what survivors’ groups want to see.

“It is difficult to see how an SFA-commissioned inquiry, effectively into itself, could hold public confidence. This is a matter the Scottish Government should be leading on.”

It comes after a judge this week gave the green light for a lawsuit to be launched by 22 victims of abuse against Celtic FC.

Lord Arthurson confirmed on Tuesday that the legal criteria for allowing the action to proceed had been met paving the way for the survivors to pursue a multi-million pound sum in the Court of Session.

On Thursday, the Scottish Daily Express revealed the Scottish Government holds no information about talks with police or prosecutors looking into the scandal.

A list of 14 potential paedophiles linked to Celtic Boys Club was handed to Strathclyde Police in 1995, although only two individuals were subsequently convicted.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16054511 (111620ZAPR22) Notable: Judges anger over SNP's 'soft-touch' push to keep MORE criminals out of prison

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>>>/qresearch/15958922

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotlands-soft-touch-justice-slammed-26535462

Scotland's soft-touch justice slammed by victim as sex abuser walks away with 'easy sentence'

A survivor has slammed the Scottish justice system after abuser William King received only six years despite causing "significant psychological suffering"

A survivor of sex abuse has slammed the SNP's soft-touch justice system which they say has allowed their abuser to escape with an 'easy sentence.'

Notorious sex offender William King received a six-year sentence for praying on two girls and a boy in Edinburgh and Dalgety Bay in Fife between 1982 and 2000.

King, a former Royal Navy sailor, was sentenced to six years at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday despite the judge describing the victim's statements as 'particularly poignant.'

One woman who was targeted for years by the 57-year-old called the sentence a "slap in the face for everyone who has waited years" for justice.

The victim, who spoke to the Daily Record, said: "Some have waited 40 years for this day and although the police did an amazing job along with the PF staff we feel slapped in the teeth and insulted by this very unjust sentence for an already convicted sex offender.

"I'm confused that the judge can give him such an easy sentence after he was found guilty."

Beast King had earlier been convicted of a total of three charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards the youngsters.

He had previously been jailed for five years in 2016 in a high profile abuse case, in which a victim waived her right to anonymity to speak publicly of her ordeal.

The woman added: "He is a predator who didn’t 'groom' his chosen children, he just took what he wanted from us.

"Some of us for years and some once but once is one time too many for an adult to take such a liberty of taking a child’s innocence.

"He didn’t care about the level of sexual abuse he inflicted on us all nor did he care how these actions would affect us into adulthood.

"He was methodical in all his actions and then he give rewards and gestures for complicity. It is disgusting.

"What kind of justice system allows a predator to appeal their sentence but not the victim? This is wrong."

Judge Alison Stirling told the court on Monday victim impact statement from one of the girls King abused was "particularly poignant".

This victim had also described "significant psychological suffering".

King, who was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely, had been found guilty following an earlier trial in Stirling.

Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences Fraser Gibson said: “William King’s victims demonstrated great bravery and composure throughout the prosecution process and I hope the sentence imposed today provides some resolution for them.

“He was brought to justice thanks to a thorough and complex investigation by police and our expert prosecutors.

“The Crown is committed to the fair and effective prosecution of sexual offences, whenever the crimes occurred, and I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of similar offending to come forward and seek support.”

King initially made headlines six years ago when he was jailed for the sexual abuse of young girls.

Dana Fowley was one of the victims and she later went on to write a book called 'How could she?' about what happened.

Her mother Caroline Dunsmore was sentenced to 12 years in 2007 in a separate case for her role in the abuse.

Scottish Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Jamie Greene: “This is a real insult to the victims who suffered at the hands of this monster. It is yet another example of the SNP’s soft-touch justice system prioritising criminals instead of victims.

“It is little wonder that one of his victims has slammed this lenient sentence after everything they have been through.

“Cases like this are exactly why the Scottish Conservatives have announced plans to give people the power to call on the Lord Advocate to review sentences which are too soft. That can help restore confidence in our justice system and ensure victims will always be the priority.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16060709 (121600ZAPR22) Notable: Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) Bun / Pages 16-19 (pg 34-37 of .pdf)

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>>>/qresearch/15502230

>>39333

>>39341

>>39346

>>>/qresearch/15275172

>>>/qresearch/15925542

>>>/qresearch/15925542

>>39336

Attached pages 16-19 of Case study no' 6 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).

Pages 34-37 of the pdf file

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/3024/scottish-government-findings.pdf

Please ignore the red ink on page 18, my pink highlighter pen gave up the ghost and I used a red permanent marker on page 19 which bled through the page.

Final attached page is a reminder of John Halley's public statement which he also has as a pinned tweet on his twitter account.

@AdvocateHalley

https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/cos-general-docs/pdf-docs-for-opinions/2021csoh035.pdf?sfvrsn=0

OUTER HOUSE, COURT OF SESSION

[2021] CSOH 35

P981/19

OPINION OF LORD BOYD OF DUNCANSBY

In Petition of

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Petitioner

against

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LADY SMITH

Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Respondent

Released APRIL 1st 2021………..very appropriately I reckon, because it's a fucking joke.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55827439

Inquiry judge right to issue media ban, Court of Session hears

By Andrew Picken

BBC Scotland News

Published

27 January 2021

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60496221

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry judge had no power to ban media, court rules

By Andrew Picken

BBC Scotland News

Published

23 February

A senior judge was acting beyond her powers to prevent the BBC from fully reporting a £2.6m legal claim against Scotland's child abuse inquiry, an appeal court has ruled.

Lady Smith, chairwoman of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), passed orders stopping detail of an employment tribunal claim being reported.

A judicial review of the orders brought by the BBC backed Lady Smith's move.

But the appeal court has now ruled she "had no power" to make the orders.

The SCAI said it was considering its position in light of the court's decision but added the restriction orders were issued to "prevent the imminent disclosure of confidential inquiry information into the public domain".

How utterly, utterly absurd that anyone can prevent ANY information from reaching the public in a PUBLIC INQUIRY?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16094430 (171922ZAPR22) Notable: Millions of covid vaccine doses set to be manufactured in Scotland after new jab approved

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>>>/qresearch/15502239

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/millions-covid-vaccine-doses-set-26729222?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAqEAgAKgcICjCu56IJMOafuAIwlO9H&utm_content=rundown&gaa_at=g&gaa_n=AYc4yss66bBRK8jy7czrYMwBjbvZwvmonsTfPX_0i0uxHCYeuIAdpBGQKBMX2JD0sAZS0bN0hCbPKz5KGh0RhIvqQbvd&gaa_ts=625bedfc&gaa_sig=3hr6hezT-IHn0WUli1nColaSCnkCstZfCN4W3RrR72nLuog86s70L6O85yCgxfycoxUY2ZFILoksyC7y1NMDRA%3D%3D

Millions of covid vaccine doses set to be manufactured in Scotland after new jab approved

Plans to hire 200 workers at the Livingston plant were put into question last year after Boris Johnson pulled the plug on a £1billion contract to buy 100million doses of the vaccine.

Millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses are set to be manufactured in Scotland after a new jab was approved for use in the UK by regulators.

Scientists hope Livingston based Valneva’s jab will be more effective against different variants because it contains a whole copy of the virus.

Plans to hire 200 staff at the Scottish plant were thrown into doubt last year after Boris Johnson pulled the plug on a £1billion contract to buy 100million doses.

But jobs were saved after the Sunday Mail highlighted the scandal and the Scottish Government stepped in with a £20million grant.

Dr June Raine, chief executive of the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said the approval followed “a rigorous review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of this vaccine”.

It is hoped the ­Valneva’s Livingston base can go on to play a key role in developing and mass producing the vaccines for future pandemics.

CEO Thomas Lingelbach said: “We are extremely pleased with this new authorisation and would like to thank the MHRA for their trust and confidence.

“This is the only inactivated whole virus Covid-19 vaccine approved in the UK and this authorisation could pave the way for the availability of an alternative vaccine solution for the UK population.

“I would like to personally thank all the people who have been supporting us in this endeavour and our internal teams for all their hard work.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid angered the company last September when he pulled out of an order for 100million doses, telling Parliament the vaccine “would not get approval”.

The move was later criticised by Dame Kate Bingham, the former chairwoman of the UK’s vaccine taskforce.

She said the decision was not only a blow to international pandemic efforts, but would dampen the UK’s resilience to future disease outbreaks.

The Scottish Government stepped in and provided £20million funding to secure the Scottish Valneva base.

In trials, blood results from volunteers who received the Valneva jab had high levels of neutralising antibodies against the pandemic virus.

The Scottish Government welcomed the approval.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16094952 (172057ZAPR22) Notable: Children living in Nicola ­Sturgeon’s constituency are poorest in the UK as investigation reveals poverty rate at 69 per cent

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-children-living-nicola-sturgeons-26729027

Children living in Nicola ­Sturgeon’s constituency are poorest in the UK as investigation reveals poverty rate at 69 per cent

Govanhill West – part of the First ­Minister’s Glasgow Southside seat – has a child poverty rate of 69 per cent.

Children living in Nicola ­Sturgeon’s constituency are the poorest in the UK.

Govanhill West – part of the First ­Minister’s Glasgow Southside seat – has a child poverty rate of 69 per cent.

That’s the worst in both Scotland and the UK, an investigation by the Sunday Mail has found.

It’s followed by ­neighbouring Govanhill East on 58 per cent – the second worst Scots area.

Margo Uprichard, chief executive of Govanhill-based charity the Louise Project, which helps struggling ­ families, said: “Poverty is endemic in Govanhill.

“Over the course of this year, people who are already in­­ ­poverty are going to suffer greatly. We are not in the eye of the storm yet but it is coming.

“We have always had families in crisis in Govanhill but the poverty is going to get worse.”

Three other parts of ­Sturgeon’s constituency were in the 10 worst areas – ­Strathbungo in third, ­Pollokshaws East, fifth, and Pollokshaws West in 10th.

The investigation has also highlighted a massive gap in poverty rates. The lowest child poverty areas were Murrayfield in ­Edinburgh, and St Andrews, at one per cent each.

In Dean Village, ­Edinburgh, home to the First Minister’s ­official ­residence in Charlotte Square, only four per cent are below the poverty line.

The Sunday Mail worked with our in-house Reach PLC Data Unit to analyse figures from the Office for National ­Statistics, ­published for all areas of the UK.

It showed 175,009 kids in ­Scotland were below the ­breadline in March last year, up from 158,781 in March 2015 – or one in seven in Scotland.

Other poverty-hit areas were ­Dalmarnock, ­Scotstoun and ­Carnwadric in Glasgow, Ladywell in Motherwell and ­Aberdeen East.

Sixty-one per cent – 107,507 – of kids living in poverty last year in Scotland had at least one working parent. ­Scottish Labour spokesperson for social justice and ­security,

Pam Duncan-Glancy, said: “What a damning ­indictment of the SNP’s record on child poverty this is. After 15 years in government, child poverty is still rising – even in the FM’s own constituency.”

part 1

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16095281 (172152ZAPR22) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon reported to Police Scotland for breaking own Covid face mask rules (video)

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>>39378

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/nicola-sturgeon-reported-police-scotland-26730616

Nicola Sturgeon reported to Police Scotland for breaking own Covid face mask rules

The First Minister was caught on camera at an East Kilbride barber shop not wearing a face mask, while urging Scots to keep wearing them even after the legal requirement to do so is lifted

Nicola Sturgeon has been reported to Police Scotland for breaking her own Covid face mask rules while out campaigning ahead of the council elections.

The First Minister paid a visit to Iconic Gents Hair in East Kilbride on Saturday where she was videoed shaving a customer's beard.

However, another social media video has emerged which shows Ms Sturgeon mingling with punters and staff members while maskless indoors.

This goes against the current face covering laws in Scotland which says that people must wear face masks indoors at public settings, like hairdressers and shopping centres.

Although her official video she posted to her Twitter she was wearing one, another clip has surfaced which shows her breaking her own rules.

Twitter user Jane Lax, a former treasurer of the Moray Conservative Association, shared this on social media and revealed that she has reported the incident to Police Scotland.

She wrote: "I've had enough of this disdain and sheer arrogance of Nicola Sturgeon. Someone has to report her to Police Scotland and as the opposition parties aren't holding her to account, it will have to be little old me."

Ms Sturgeon was interviewed while on the campaign trail on Saturday where she urged Scots to carry on wearing face coverings despite the legal mandate coming to an end on Easter Monday.

She said she was "confident" that this would happen.

Other critics have pointed out that in the video she shared on Twitter, most of the customers in the barber shop were not wearing a face mask either and were congregating around the First Minister.

Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny pointed this out on social media as he wrote: "Hi @nicolasturgeon is the legal requirement, set by you, to wear face masks in barbers, hairdressers, beauty therapists, tattoo shops etc exempt if you’re there to make sure everyone is safe from coronavirus?"

He added: "As we’re pretending Covid has gone away, we can just ignore that it’s a requirement by law to wear a mask in hair salons, beauty & nail parlours, tattoo studios & any other indoor close contact service setting. We can assume the FM knows all these people are breaking the law then."

Scotland is the only country in the UK still to have a mask mandate despite rising Covid cases, with the rules being extended for a month, ending on Easter Monday.

The official Scottish Government guidance states: "By law, everyone age 12 and over must wear a face covering in most indoor public places in Scotland."

Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “The video clearly shows Nicola Sturgeon isn’t practicing what she preaches on facemasks.

“She’s happy virtue signalling for official photos but behind closed doors it’s clear she doesn’t believe in her own rules so why should anyone else.

“This is blatant hypocrisy from the First Minister who has now shown her true colours.

“The public, who have been under these legal Covid restrictions for over two years, deserve an apology for this rule break.”

The Scottish Express has been the only major news outlet to report on repeated breaches of the mask rules by Ms Sturgeon and other senior Nationalist ministers.

In February, we revealed photos taken at a Sturgeon family birthday party in November where the First Minister and were fellow guests were without masks.

In March, the SNP leader was pictured without a face covering yet again while posing for photos with visitors at the Scottish Parliament… just days before she extended the mask rules.

We also told how Health Secretary Humza Yousaf posed without a mask in a school classroom despite Scotland's older pupils enduring face coverings during lessons for most of the pandemic.

Police Scotland confirmed the incident at the barbers had been reported to them, with a spokeswoman saying: "We can confirm that we have received a complaint which is currently being assessed.”

A SNP spokesman said: "The First Minister was invited into the barbers during an outdoor visit on the street. Within a few seconds, she realised she hadn't put her mask back on and immediately put it on."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16095380 (172208ZAPR22) Notable: DRUG SCANDAL Epilepsy drug that left 20,000 babies disabled in UK is STILL being prescribed to pregnant mums despite warnings

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/18286699/epilepsy-drug-disabled-babies-still-prescribed/

DRUG SCANDAL Epilepsy drug that left 20,000 babies disabled in UK is STILL being prescribed to pregnant mums despite warnings

Britta Zeltmann

0:21, 17 Apr 2022

AN epilepsy drug which left thousands of babies disabled in the UK is STILL being prescribed to pregnant mums, an investigation has found.

Sodium valproate has caused autism, learning difficulties and physical deformities in up to 20,000 babies in Britain.

The drug, which carries significant risks to unborn children, was given to women with epilepsy for four decades without proper warnings.

It has left families up and down the UK suffering the consequences, with some saying they still receive no information leaflets with their medication.

But despite a 2020 criticising the failure to inform women about the dangers, doctors are still not properly warning women of the risks, The Sunday Times reports.

According to the latest data, published in March, sodium valproate was prescribed to 247 pregnant women between April 2018 and September 2021.

It means around six babies are being born in the UK every month having been exposed to the drug.

An investigation by The Sunday Times found the medication is still being dished out to women in plain packets with the information leaflets missing, or with stickers over the warnings.

The government is also refusing to compensate those affected, despite an independent review by Baroness Cumberlege concluding in 2020 that families should be given financial help.

Catherine McNamara said her son Sebastian was born with malformed hands and other disabilities after she was prescribed the drug during her pregnancy in 2011.

She told The Times she had asked about the safety of the drug because her two older children had learning difficulties and autism.

Ms McNamara explained: “I went to the GP and said, ‘I’ve two children with quite severe learning difficulties and autism, is there any chance it could be to do with my tablets?

"The GP said no, just keep taking the tablets, everything will be fine. My consultant said the same.”

All three of her children have since been confirmed as valproate victims.

The Times also found sodium valproate is still being sent out by pharmacists without legally required patient information leaflets.

Patricia Alexander, whose two children Amélie, 12, and Joseph, 21, were both affected by sodium valproate after she was told it was safe to take while pregnant, still receives the drug in packets with no safety leaflets.

I went to the GP and said, ‘I’ve two children with quite severe learning difficulties and autism, is there any chance it could be to do with my tablets?

The GP said no, just keep taking the tablets, everything will be fine.

Catherine McNamaraVictim

“There is nothing in the box but 22 tablets,” she said. “The fact I am getting the boxes like this means others are as well.”

Medical regulators in the UK were first warned of the possible dangers of the drug in 1973, but provided no patient warnings and did not commission any longer term studies into the risks.

The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the matter of the drugs still being handed out in plain packaging without the appropriate warnings.

It also launched a consultation in November to recommend sodium valproate is always dispensed in the original manufacturer’s packaging “to support increased patient safety” — but the government has not yet responded.

An NHS England spokesman said it had set up an expert group to help halve the use of sodium valproate by women who can get pregnant, and warned thousands of women and girls as young as 12 of the risks.

Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also said all women on the drug were now required to sign annual risk-acknowledgement forms together with their healthcare professional “as their circumstances regarding the risk of pregnancy may change”.

But the medicines regulator has admitted warnings are still not getting through.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: “Patient safety is a priority and we take all reports and inquiries on this matter extremely seriously.

“As set out in our response, we have accepted the majority of the recommendations in Baroness Cumberlege’s report.

"We want to improve the future safety of medicines and medical devices – ensuring they are used in line with the latest evidence of best practice — and there are wider forms of redress available for those who need it.”

Sodium valproate is still a safe and effective drug for epilepsy sufferers.

These patients should not stop taking it without discussing with their doctor first.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16184864 (302219ZAPR22) Notable: Care home Covid ruling could prompt Scottish legal cases

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61247219

Care home Covid ruling could prompt Scottish legal cases

Families who lost loved ones to Covid-19 in Scottish care homes are considering legal action following a ruling in England.

UK government policies on discharging untested patients from hospital at the start of the Covid pandemic were ruled unlawful at the High Court in London.

The case applied to England but could "open floodgates" of cases in Scotland, one bereaved relative warned.

The Scottish government said it would "examine the findings in detail".

A spokesman said ministers took decisions based on the best scientific and clinical evidence they had to keep people in care homes "as safe as possible".

In the early days of the pandemic more than half of the elderly hospital patients discharged to nearly 200 Scottish care homes had not been tested for Covid.

Last year First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accepted that the practice had cost lives, and said: "We got some things wrong and I feel the responsibility of that every single day."

Lawyer Aamer Anwar, who is acting for families bereaved by Covid, said they would look into what legal action could be taken as a result of the ruling in England.

He said there were 3,774 Covid-19 deaths in Scotland's care homes up to the end of March 2021, which "operated as petri dish for the spread of the Covid-19 virus".

"Care homes repeatedly breached the human rights of their elderly residents as infected patients were transferred from hospitals without any thought for the risk of infection rapidly spreading to other residents," he said.

The lawyer also raised concerns that the Scottish public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic, led by Lady Poole, could "attempt to avoid scrutiny" of care homes.

"We will be considering in Scotland what further legal action can be taken against those responsible for the preventable deaths that took place in care homes," he added.

"We will be raising these issues with Lady Poole, the Scottish government, but also with the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC to ask her to advise the families we represent why her inquiry into deaths in care homes is taking so long, and whether charges of corporate homicide will now follow."

Dr Cath Gardner and Fay Harris took Public Health England and the health secretary, then Matt Hancock, to court after they both lost their fathers early in the pandemic.

They said there had been failures in protecting care home residents like their fathers and brought the legal challenge.

In their judgement, Lord Justice Bean and Mr Justice Garnham found the decisions of the then health secretary to make and maintain a series of policies contained in documents issued on 17 and 19 March and 2 April 2020 were unlawful.

They ruled this was because the drafters of those documents failed to take into account the risk to elderly and vulnerable residents from non-symptomatic transmission which had been highlighted by Sir Patrick Vallance in a radio interview as early as 13 March.

Jo Barrie's mother Nancy Lovering was discharged from Perth Royal Infirmary, where she had been treated for a chest infection, to Ancaster House Care Home in Crieff in mid-March 2020. She was not tested for coronavirus.

The 88-year-old completed a 14-day quarantine period but then, four days after being allowed into the residence's public areas, her family was informed of an outbreak in the home.

Mrs Lovering became ill and died in hospital.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16190535 (012108ZMAY22) Notable: Sturgeon faces court – SNP could be dragged before judge after landmark ruling

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>>39384

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1602304/Nicola-Sturgeon-news-Covid-SNP-court-case-care-home-scandal-Scotland-latest

Sturgeon faces court – SNP could be dragged before judge after landmark ruling

NICOLA STURGEON'S SNP faces being dragged into court after the High Court ruled the UK Government policies on discharging hospital patients into care homes at the start of the coronavirus pandemic were "unlawful".

By Rebecca Perring

Thu, Apr 28, 2022

Grieving families of Scottish victims are said to considering taking legal action against the Scottish Government after the landmark ruling in London. The SNP and health officials were accused of making "exactly the same catastrophic mistakes that led to the loss of life" in a damning statement by a lawyer representing victim's families.

Speaking for campaign group Scottish Bereaved Families for Justice, solicitor Aamer Anwar warned: "We will be considering in Scotland what further legal action can be taken against those responsible for the preventable deaths that took place in care homes.”

He accused SNP ministers of “an attempt to avoid scrutiny of this issue and thus avoid responsibility”, revealing that "very little" has happened with a public inquiry in Scotland.

It comes after Ms Sturgeon admitted mistakes were made in the way 3,000 elderly people were discharged from hospital to care homes in the first three months of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Sturgeon admitted with "hindsight" she agreed with Health Secretary Jeane Freeman's view that this was a mistake.

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, patients were rapidly discharged into care homes without testing, despite the risk of asymptomatic transmission, with UK Government documents showing there was no requirement for this until mid-April.

Ms Freeman had previously said: "We didn't take the right precautions to make sure that older people leaving hospital going into care homes were as safe as they could be and that was a mistake."

And in an interview with BBC Scotland, Ms Sturgeon was asked if she agreed, saying: "Looking back on that now, with the knowledge we have now and with the benefit of hindsight, yes."

In a statement, Mr Anwar said: “In January 2022 our legal team and the bereaved relatives met with Lady Poole who asked to hear their stories. At the meeting, they felt rushed and felt a lack of empathy. A number of relatives were lost to Covid19 acquired from hospitals as well as care homes.

“The relatives left the meeting feeling disappointed that the Scottish Inquiry might not investigate these deaths as Crown Office and the UK Inquiry will be.

"In over three months the families feel that very little has happened in Scotland and this is deeply disappointing, whilst it appears that the UK inquiry is moving apace.

“This is not what the relatives campaigned for, nor was it what they were promised by the Scottish Government and Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

“There now appears to be an attempt to avoid scrutiny of this issue and thus avoid responsibility, following today’s High Court decision, that cannot be allowed to happen in Scotland.

“We will be considering in Scotland what further legal action can be taken against those responsible for the preventable deaths that took place in care homes.

“We will be raising these issues with Lady Poole, the Scottish Government but also with the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC, to ask her to advise the families we represent why her inquiry into deaths in care homes is taking so long, and whether charges of corporate homicide will now follow.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16274818 (142053ZMAY22) Notable: Nicola Sturgeon to promote Scotland's global aims in US ahead of Indyref2

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>>39388

>As Nicola Sturgeon is off on a taxpayer-funded USA trip, we thought we'd bring all the failures she's leaving at home into a 9 minute marathon.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20124313.nicola-sturgeon-promote-scotlands-global-aims-us-ahead-indyref2/?ref=twtrec

Nicola Sturgeon to promote Scotland's global aims in US ahead of Indyref2

By Tom Gordon

Scottish Political Editor

NICOLA Sturgeon is to visit the United States next week as she promotes her Government's thinking on international affairs ahead of her planned independence referendum.

The First Minister will meet business leaders and politicians to underline “Scotland’s key interests in global issues”.

Critics accused her of using public money to "grandstand about separation" and neglecting domestic problems to "take the SNP’s obsession on tour”.

The Scottish Government today published a Global Affairs Framework setting out the “values, principles and priorities” behind its work “to become more active internationally”.

It says Scotland will focus on “global citizenship, maintaining close relations with the EU, gender equality, and respect for human rights”.

The Framework also covers Ms Sturgeon's plans for independence.

It says: “The principles of this Global Affairs Framework will apply regardless of Scotland’s constitutional position but clearly the contribution that Scotland could make, and the benefits it could receive, would be significantly enhanced with the powers of independence rather than devolution.

“The Scottish Government’s prospectus for enhanced international relations as an independent state will be published in the run-up to the independence referendum.”

It also states an independent Scotland would return to the EU, but does not say if this would be done through a second EU referendum.

It says: “We believe that rejoining the EU at the earliest opportunity as an independent country represents the best future for Scotland.

"In the meantime, we will maintain alignment where possible and practical with EU legislation, standards, policies and programmes.”

The Framework also attacks “the UK Government’s disastrous and chaotic Brexit”, and reflects on the impacts of Covid, the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine.

It does not mention the SNP's desire to remove nuclear weapons from Scotland after independence, potentially disarming one of the three Nato nuclear powers.

Ms Sturgeon has said she wants to hold Indyref2 next year, but Boris Johnson has refused to give Holyrood the power to do so.

The First Minister has said she will put a Referendum Bill through Holyrood regardless, but it is almost certain to be challenged at the UK Supreme Court and probably overturned.

The Scottish Government said Ms Sturgeon would take part in “a range of engagements focused on the interlinked issues of climate, energy security and the war in Ukraine” in America, “including a keynote speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC”.

She will also meet US Congressional groups and “discuss ways to create a greener, fairer and more equitable economy with executives of companies operating across the Atlantic”.

She said: “The Covid-19 pandemic and the climate and biodiversity emergencies prove in the starkest possible way that we live in an interconnected world and it is more important than ever that Scotland plays its part. The crisis in Ukraine underlines how interconnected these challenges are, and all countries have a role to play in meeting them.

“We are determined that Scotland continues to be a good global citizen, making a constructive contribution to addressing global challenges such as climate change.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16291391 (171437ZMAY22) Notable: Investigation launched after woman claims police were involved in child abuse in Glasgow

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https://news.sky.com/story/investigation-launched-after-women-claim-police-were-involved-in-child-abuse-in-glasgow-12614714?fbclid=IwAR3zQKOgDxFHZO4iUN1AI7fyEWfmbQ4GDqOYR_0nujxE8Ara9o-q1IlyG6c

Investigation launched after woman claims police were involved in child abuse in Glasgow

Sky News investigated organised sexual abuse in the city and spoke to one young woman who claimed she had recognised an officer who sexually abused her as a child because he was the same man who sometimes picked her up and took her home after she went missing.

Jason Farrell

Home editor. Monday 16 May 2022

Police in Scotland say they are investigating allegations that two of their own officers were involved in a child abuse ring in Glasgow in 2014.

It comes after Sky News investigated organised sexual abuse in the city and spoke to one young woman who claimed she had recognised an officer who sexually abused her as a child because he was the same man who sometimes picked her up and took her home after she went missing.

Data examined by Sky News also show a huge gulf between the number of children referred for help as victims of modern slavery, compared to the number of attempted prosecutions for the crime.

Toni Louise, now 22, has waived her anonymity to tell her story.

She says she was groomed and sold for sex by a man she thought was her boyfriend.

The first time he told her to have sex with another man she was 12 years old.

She said: "One day he was like 'I need you to do something for me. And well you don't really have a choice in it'."

"I was kind of like, 'I don't really want to do this'. And he was like, 'It's too late now. I've already told him that you're gonna do it'. And that was the first time that I was sold for money."

Toni Louise said she started to go truant from school.

"At first it was only like once or twice a week that I would have to leave school. And then it got to like every day. It got to the point where I wasn't even making it up to school. He was picking me up at the end of my mum's street."

Sold to up to '30 men a day'

She says she was sold to up to 30 men a day, to people of all nationalities and from all walks of life including, she claims, two police officers.

Challenged on how she knew they were police officers, she replied: "Because some of them were the ones that took me home, when I've been reported missing. So, I've seen them in their uniform."

She says one officer who abused her several times over a six-month period even had a conversation with her mother in the kitchen after dropping her back home.

According to her account, the fact that he was one of her abusers was never mentioned during the car journeys.

She said: "I think work mode is different to 'I'm going to rape a child' mode like it was never acknowledged."

Toni Louise eventually escaped her situation, but says when she first reported it to the police she was told: "You've got an active imagination for a wee girl haven't you?"

Initially, she did not report the allegations referring to the police officers for fear it would not be believed.

But numerous alleged crimes against her have been logged by Glasgow police including 29 rapes. There was an investigation but, despite one person being charged, it did not reach court.

'She was very thin, very small'

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16306696 (192339ZMAY22) Notable: MI5 agent used secret status to terrorise girlfriend

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61508520

MI5 agent used secret status to terrorise girlfriend

By Daniel De Simone & Sira Thierij

An MI5 spy used his status to terrorise his partner before moving abroad to continue intelligence work while under investigation, the BBC has found.

A video shows the man threatening to kill the woman and attacking her with a machete.

The foreign national cannot be named, despite evidence he is a threat to women, after the government took the BBC to court to block publication.

Evidence shows that he is a right-wing extremist with a violent past.

In an unprecedented legal battle, the corporation argued that women had a right to know his identity and it would protect potential victims from harm.

But the BBC successfully resisted the government's attempt to stop publication of the wide-ranging investigation.

Short presentational grey line

Beth, a British national, met the agent on a dating site. The couple went on to live together in the UK.

At first, she says, he was "charming". They appeared to have a lot in common.

But over time, he was revealed to be a misogynist and extremist, obsessed with violence and cruelty. Beth - not her real name - says he sexually assaulted her, and was also abusive and coercive.

She says he used his position with the British security services to terrorise her.

"He had complete control. I was a shadow of who I am now," she says.

As the relationship became more abusive, Beth's mental health deteriorated.

"At the end of the relationship he dictated my every waking hour - where I went, who I saw, how I worked, what I did at work, what I wore."

X made her "feel absolutely worthless" and used "the fact that I had mental health problems to bully me and to make me feel more vulnerable".

He collected weapons and made her watch terrorist videos of executions and murders, she says.

"There was so much psychological terror from him to me, that ultimately culminated in me having a breakdown, because I was so afraid of everything - because of how he'd made me think, the people that he was involved with, and the people who he worked for."

She says X told her that he worked as a paid informant for the British security services - an agent or covert human intelligence source (CHIS), to use the formal term - infiltrating extremist networks. She was aware that he was having meetings with his handlers, receiving money, and being given equipment.

Initially, she said, he kept his real name hidden from her. Our investigation has established that X spent years working as a CHIS for MI5, using several aliases.

The security service runs agents in terrorist networks, informants who secretly work with their handlers, MI5 officers. Controversial powers authorise its agents to commit crimes as part of their cover, but only to access life-saving intelligence, disrupt more serious crime, or ensure an agent's safety.

But this should not cover actions in their private lives.

She says he told her she wouldn't be able to report his behaviour because of his status.

"It meant that I couldn't speak out about any of his behaviour towards me, any of the violence I went through, sexual or physical, because he had men in high places who always had his back, who would intervene and who would actively kill me, if I spoke out."

X was paid to inform on networks of right-wing extremists, but evidence we've seen shows his own alarming views are genuine.

Beth says X praised various white supremacist mass murderers and stated his intent to commit similar acts.

At home, his violence was directed towards Beth. In one video, the MI5 agent is seen attacking her with a machete.

The incident was filmed by Beth on her mobile phone. In the lead-up to the attack, she is heard voicing concern about being killed and saying his treatment of her was unacceptable.

X states he will kill her, leaves the room, and returns holding a machete - which he then raises above her head.

When she is heard telling him the film could be handed to police, X launches an attack with the weapon and his fists. The video cuts out amid her screams.

She manages to fight him off, but he tried to attack her again hours later with a knife, attempting to cut her throat. She says she bit his hand in order to stop him.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16329209 (232247ZMAY22) Notable: Fettes in talks on payout for abuse suffered by pupils

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https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fettes-in-talks-on-payout-for-abuse-suffered-by-pupils-j08cd3qfl

Fettes in talks on payout for abuse suffered by pupils

Marcello Mega

Monday May 23 2022

Fettes College, Edinburgh, is poised to pay a seven-figure sum in compensation for the sexual and physical abuse suffered by some former pupils.

The leading private school — which counts Sir Tony Blair, the former prime minister, and the actress Tilda Swinton among its alumni — made a public apology to victims at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry and is negotiating the size of awards for assaults described as “shocking and truly life-changing”.

Apologies, have no subscription to the Times…..if anyone is able to post the whole story I'd be very appreciative, have not read the whole story myself.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16344305 (261308ZMAY22) Notable: Scottish teenagers are being quizzed on their sexuality and gender identity when they apply for a free bus pass in latest 'intrusive' SNP scheme

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>>>/qresearch/16294048

Thanks, I probably don't remember often to say this baker. Very much appreciated nonetheless.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10434835/SNP-quizzes-teens-sexuality-gender-identity-applying-bus-pass.html

Scottish teenagers are being quizzed on their sexuality and gender identity when they apply for a free bus pass in latest 'intrusive' SNP scheme

By Graham Grant, Home Affairs Editor For The Scottish Daily Mail

24 January 2022

Youngsters aged over 16 are being asked if they are gay, straight or bisexual

They are also quizzed about their gender as part of the detailed questionnaire

SNP accused of being 'obsessed' with grilling children over sexual preferences

Teenagers are being questioned about their sexuality when they apply for free bus passes in the latest 'intrusive' SNP scheme.

Youngsters aged over 16 are being asked if they are gay, straight or bisexual in a survey – with the chance of winning up to £250 of shopping vouchers.

They are also quizzed about their gender, with an option to state that they are 'non-binary' as part of a detailed questionnaire.

The £132million scheme offers free travel to all people in Scotland aged 22 or under in a bid to encourage them to use public transport.

The disclosure comes amid a row over a schools survey that asked S4 to S6 pupils about their sexual experiences in a 'census' of their health and wellbeing.

The Transport Scotland survey has sparked a backlash from parents and campaigners.

Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute, which has almost 10,000 members in Scotland, said: 'The Scottish Government seems obsessed with asking intrusive questions and collecting sensitive personal information.

'Rather than hoovering up sensitive personal data and appealing to some special interest groups while ignoring others, surely they should just focus on ensuring everybody gets better public services?'

SNP ministers hope the scheme will prevent youngsters from having to turn down potential job opportunities or college places because of where they live.

Youngsters who complete the 'short travel survey' have 'a chance to win' up to £250 in shopping vouchers. The sexuality question asks: 'Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?' Answers include: straight/heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, other (please specify), or prefer not to say'.

On gender, recipients are asked: 'What gender are you?' The possible answers are: male, female, trans, non-binary, other, or 'prefer not to say'.

The survey has been sent out by local authorities to people who applied for the bus pass. A link to it has also been widely distributed online, including on the website of youth organisation Young Scot.

In some cases, the email has been sent to parents who applied on behalf of their children.

A parent in Argyll and Bute, who forwarded the email to the Mail, said: 'Why on earth are they interested in such intimate details – it's just a bus pass. It is very sinister.'

The email says: 'We would be grateful if parents/guardians of younger children (ie those aged five-15), or young people aged 12-21 themselves, could complete this short travel survey.'

Wellside Research and consultancy Stantec have been commissioned to conduct the survey.

The email states that 'all data will be treated confidentially and anonymously'.

It adds: 'To allow for changes to be identified, Transport Scotland may also share anonymised data with other research partners in the future.'

The row comes as schoolchildren are quizzed about their sexual habits under a separate scheme One of the school survey questions – aimed at pupils in S4 and S6 – asks: 'People have varying degrees of sexual experience. How much, if any, sexual experience have you had?'

Commenting on the bus pass survey, Dr Stuart Waiton, a sociology lecturer at Abertay University in Dundee, said there was currently 'a strange, almost fetish-like concern' with LGBT issues within government.

A Catholic Church spokesman said: 'It is surely time for the Government and its agencies to stop obsessing over young people's sexuality.'

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: 'The question on sexual orientation applies only to young people aged 16 and over and there is an option not to answer.

'We want to understand if there are any barriers for young people from protected characteristics accessing public transport.

'Our initial research identified LGBTQ+ young people might be less inclined to use the bus for fear of homophobic and transphobic harassment.'

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16352218 (272026ZMAY22) Notable: The Balmoral Hotel Incident is the kind of bizarre rumour that Nicola Sturgeon could quash by being more open (mp4)

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/comment/balmoral-hotel-incident-kind-bizarre-27051431

The Balmoral Hotel Incident is the kind of bizarre rumour that Nicola Sturgeon could quash by being more open

Hundreds of people on social media are openly discussing an outlandish conspiracy theory about the First Minister. But is the SNP's culture of secrecy creating an environment for such rumours to flourish?

ByBen BorlandEditor

I was idly scrolling through Twitter at the weekend when I saw a hashtag called the "Balmoral Hotel Incident" was trending.

Intrigued, I began to investigate further - was this something our weekend news reporters needed to know about, perhaps a hostage-taking or police stand-off in Edinburgh's most famous hotel?

No, as it turned out it was in relation to a bizarre, outlandish and entirely unfounded rumour about Nicola Sturgeon and her private life.

It was also, I must admit, one I had never heard before - but it seems as though lots of people out there in cyberspace on both sides of the independence debate are well aware of the claims.

Mhairi Hunter, the erstwhile SNP councillor in Glasgow and Ms Sturgeon's campaign organiser in Glasgow Southside, was among those discussing the hashtag.

She tweeted on Sunday morning: "This Balmoral Hotel stuff is proper Q Anon level hysteria. It is never going to be in the papers, guys, because every single part of it is made up."

This was followed by a flurry of replies, including her view that "people should know it's just a lot of nonsense from weird fantasists".

She also said the rumour had "grown arms and legs", adding: "I would love for someone to trace it back to its origin & see how it developed. It would be an interesting study of social media mythmaking."

This was not the first scurrilous rumour about the First Minister that I've seen on social media, however.

And it is not just online; I have often had conversations with people entirely unconnected to politics or journalism where they have asked me why X, Y or Z story has never appeared in the newspapers.

Ms Sturgeon herself is clearly well aware of the scuttlebutt.

She told the Sunday Times in February 2020: "This sort of exotic double life that I'm supposedly leading is a damn sight more interesting than the actual life I’m leading.

"It does not have a scintilla of truth or basis in reality. It is just so completely off the wall."

But why are these rumours appearing in the first place?

Well, perhaps it would help matters if the First Minister was less restrictive about granting access for the Scottish press.

The recent SNP local election campaign launch in Govanhill where journalists were told not to attend was a case in point.

I can't remember the last interview Ms Sturgeon granted to a news outlet north of the Border that wasn't entirely friendly to her political views.

Yes, she often appears on TV but the broadcasters in Scotland are very sympathetic… and those in London often have their own agenda which is more focused on Westminster.

And she was a daily fixture on our screens during the pandemic, although the subject matter strictly related to Covid-19 and even hostile questions burnished her image as a national leader during a time of crisis.

Ms Hunter describes the rumours as "Q Anon level hysteria" although it must be said the content is far more mundane than the gibberish spouted by Q and his/her followers.

Still, many in the USA believe the false information that flourished online during the Donald Trump presidency was fuelled by a lack of trust in the White House.

There is clearly a parallel with the SNP's Scotland here, at a time when vital documents about a national scandal can go missing and then reappear as if by magic.

The culture of secrecy fostered by Ms Sturgeon and her ministers is unprecedented in the devolved era, with even the Auditor General struggling to get hold of accurate information.

The First Minister and her team even managed to misconstrue - whether deliberately or not - the content of her talks with the US deputy secretary of state recently.

Many people simply do not trust the SNP administration to tell the truth and it is in this febrile atmosphere that conspiracy theories can take hold.

Writing in the New York Times, Shira Ovide said: "Nature abhors a vacuum, and the internet turns a vacuum into conspiracies. All of us have a role to play in not contributing to misinformation, but experts and people in positions of power shoulder even more responsibility for not creating the conditions for bogus information to go wild."

And it is the trust vacuum at the heart of Holyrood politics that is at least partly to blame for these crazy theories that appear online.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16450360 (151430ZJUN22) Notable: Scottish child abuse 'jumping through hoops' to receive compensation

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>>>/qresearch/16294033

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/20164182.scottish-child-abuse-jumping-hoops-receive-compensation/

Scottish child abuse 'jumping through hoops' to receive compensation

Survivors of institutional child abuse are being forced to "jump through hoops" to receive government compensation, according to a campaigner.

Chris Daly, who spent time in a children's home run by the Sisters of Nazareth Catholic order, said the scheme was overly bureaucratic with little support offered to claimants.

He said a shortage of case workers was also leading to pursuers facing long delays.

Applications for the Scottish Government's Redress Scheme opened in December.

Those eligible can apply to request an apology and payments ranging from £10,000 up to £100,000.

A number of institutions are contributing financially to the scheme including; Barnardo's, The Sisters of Nazareth and NHS Scotland boards.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said earlier this year that the government had not anticipated the volume of applications it had received and was recruiting additional case workers.

Mr Daly, who is assisting five survivors with claims as well as pursuing his own, said the government should have been better prepared given that a pilot scheme was launched in 2019.

He said: "An advance payment scheme was set up for elderly people and those who are terminally ill and rightly so.

"That was seen as a pilot, it opened in April 2019 and closed the day the proper scheme opened.

"You would think that any issues would have been ironed out.

"It's very complex.

"If you are looking for a higher amount [than £10,000], you really are having to jump through hoops.

"Applicants must obtain proof that they were resident in an institution, which involves a subject access request to the organisation or local authority or health board asking them to release personal records.

"Many people don't know what that is and are struggling to navigate the system."

He said none of the five applications he was assisting on had been assigned a case worker months after submitting all the relevant documents.

"The timescale was supposed to be something like eight weeks," said Mr Daly, 58, who set up In Care Abuse Survivors and lives in Bridge of Allan.

"The cases can't progress to the decision makers until a case worker has been allocated. "

"The communication with applicants has been really poor."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16460937 (171041ZJUN22) Notable: John Mason MSP mocks people for asking questions about vaccine injuries (video)

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16503394 (242143ZJUN22) Notable: Top Scots lawyer accused of sexually abusing woman when she was a child

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/top-scots-lawyer-accused-sexually-27314949

Top Scots lawyer accused of sexually abusing woman when she was a child

ByConnor Gordon

24 JUN 2022

The now 50-year-old victim said advocate John Watt groped her in bed during a lawyers’ party at a property in Edinburgh.

A woman has told a trial she was sexually abused by a top lawyer as a child.

The 50-year-old said advocate John Watt groped her in bed during a lawyers’ party at a property in ­ Edinburgh city centre.

She told the jury that at one social gathering she had been asleep in bed before being woken by Watt at the bedroom door.

Prosecutor Katy Harper asked what happened and the witness replied: “I think he said something about being cold or tired … and got into bed, my bed.

“As I was lying there he put his hand down my pyjama bottoms, I was facing away from the door.”

The woman said she told her parents and did not see Watt, from Glasgow, again.

He denies using lewd, ­indecent and libidinous practices on the witness between 1978 and 1983.

Watt is accused of raping another girl aged seven to 11 between 1973 and 1978 at an address in the west end of the city.

Watt has lodged a special defence incriminating deceased solicitor Richard Watt.

John Watt is also accused of indecent practices with a 12-year-old boy between 1973 and 1987 in Leith, and indecent assault between 1978 and 1983 on a girl aged nine to 14 in ­ Edinburgh.

The trial at the High Court in Glasgow continues.

The woman told the court in evidence that she was aware of Watt being a member of the Faculty of Advocates.

She stated that he attended social gatherings at the property in Edinburgh city centre with other guests such as advocate Lawrence Nisbet and deceased lawyer Bill Fotheringham.

The woman claimed at one social gathering she went to bed and was asleep before being woke up by Watt at the bedroom door.

She said: “He appeared to be taking his shoes off as if he was going to get undressed or something.”

Prosecutor Katy Harper asked what happened and the witness replied: “I think he said something about being cold or tired…and got into bed, my bed.

“As I was lying there he put his hand down my pyjama bottoms, I was facing away from the door.”

It was then the woman told the jury that Watt touched her inappropriately with his hand.

The woman stated that Watt then left the room.

Miss Harper asked what was going through her mind.

The woman said: “I knew it wasn’t right but I have a lawyer…in bed, you think something is happening which is not right.”

The woman claimed that she later informed her parents and that she did not see Watt again in person after the alleged incident.

Donald Findlay QC, defending, quizzed the witness about the time of the incident in which she claimed that there was light in the room.

Mr Findlay said: “If John came to your room at that time in the morning, he would have had a lot to drink?”

The witness replied: “Possibly.”

The trial stated at the High Court in Glasgow continues.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16756045 (181130ZJUL22) Notable: Former top Scots lawyer convicted of historical sex abuse against four children

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/john-watt-lawyer-sexual-abuse-27405821

Former top Scots lawyer convicted of historical sex abuse against four children

John Watt QC was hauled back to Scotland from America to face justice after preying on three girls and a boy over 14 years in the 1970s and '80s

ByConnor Gordon

Grant McCabe

17:26, 5 JUL 2022

A former senior Scots lawyer has been convicted of historical sex abuse against four children.

John Watt QC was hauled back to Scotland from America to face justice after preying on three girls and a boy over 14 years in the 1970s and 80s. A number of the victims had relatives who were also legal figures at the time.

The attacks happened at different properties in Edinburgh's New Town and Leith, as well as another in the West End of the capital. Watt, now 72, was extradited in 2020 from Oklahoma in the United States, having moved there in the mid-90s with his wife.

He denied the crimes during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow pinning the blame on a now dead lawyer for attacks on one girl. But, Watt was today found guilty of a total of five charges spanning between 1973 and 1987.

He was convicted of raping one girl. Watt was further guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour against the same victim, another girl and a boy. He was also guilty of indecently assaulting a third girl.

The shamed former advocate showed no emotion as he was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month. Watt often worked and mingled with a number of leading names in the Scottish legal world at the time.

The female rape victim told how her father - who was also a lawyer - took her to see Watt at a house in Edinburgh. Prosecutors said she was aged seven when the abuse began.

She recalled being given an "instruction" by her dad before being left alone with Watt. Prosecutor Kath Harper asked what then happened. The now 55 year-old replied: "I did things to the man which he made me do."

She told jurors how she was raped on two occasions and Watt told her she was a "good girl". Watt's legal team had lodged a special defence incriminating another lawyer for the crimes against this victim.

But, shown a photo of this man, the woman insisted he was not the person who attacked her. Two sisters - now in their 50s - told the trial how their lawyer father often hosted gathering at their home where Watt and others would turn up.

One recalled being in bed during a social event there and woke up to find Watt at her bedside. She said: “I think he said something about being cold or tired… and got into my bed."

This victim said she was facing away from the door when Watt inappropriately touched her. The witness added: “I have a lawyer in [my] bed, but you think something is happening which is not right.”

Her sister had saw Watt in the bed for around 10 minutes. She remembered being "frightened" and moved to turn away. But, the preying advocate then turned on her putting his hand under her bed clothes.

The woman sobbed as she described being molested for "what felt like 10 minutes." She claimed that she did not tell her parents what happened to her the next morning despite her sister speaking to them about her attack.

Jurors were read a statement from their dad, who has since passed away. He said he had reported Watt to a senior lawyer, who later became a high court judge, instead of police at the time.

Jurors were also read an undated letter from Watt to the sisters' dad in which he "apologised unreservedly…for any distress caused." Watt's final victim told how he was aged 10 when the advocate had been asked to look after him while his parents were away.

But, the now 45 year-old told Miss Harper: "I was raped by John Watt. I remember him coming in the room and I remember him telling me to turn over."

Asked how long the attack lasted, the witness replied: "Honestly, I do not know. I have played it over in my mind 100,000 times. I know it was something I did not want."

After the abuse, Watt gave up law in Scotland and set up a new life in Oklahoma in 1995, working at his wife's real estate agency.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16756055 (181133ZJUL22) Notable: Former top Scots lawyer convicted of historical sex abuse against four children

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>>39464

The Mail on Sunday, July 10th 2022

Senior lawyer is secret sex abuser

Scottish Mail on Sunday 10th July 2022 Marcelo Mega

Finaly they believe I was the victim of vile paedophile ring at the heart of the Scottish legal establishment

By Ashlie McAnaly

Also Mail on Sunday, 10th July 2022.

I'm lead to believe that Lord Devereaux is the other legal figure still alive and silhouetted in the article.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16841213 (271203ZJUL22) Notable: Former top Scots lawyer convicted of historical sex abuse against four children

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>>39466

https://www.tomminogue.com/tom/?page_id=576

Pictured from the above article, Robert Henderson QC, the father of one of the victims of John Watt QC who was recently found guilty of child abuse and is scheduled for sentencing in Edinburgh on August 8th 2022. He is pictured alongside Lord William Nimmo Smith. Lord Smith is currently in Argentina, a country which has no extradition treaty with the UK…unfortunate as there was an international arrest warrant issued for him some years back in connection to John Watt and Robert Henderson.

The above article is one of many on Tom Minogue's website, it's full of information regarding the corruption of Scotland by an elite cabal of CUNTS from the establishment which never actually serves the people or their best interests.

These are the sorts of cunts that the people prop up as their self proclaimed overlords.

All over the world nations are rising against these parasites, but in Scotland the brainwashing is still strong and the inhabitants still feel powerles, cowed and afraid to rebel. Many will tell you how hard working they are and that they can't afford to take time off work to protest corrupt goverment who have unhealthy designs on their children…….they can still find time for the pub/dancing/football. No time to pick up some info and fucking read it though. The truth is they can't afford not to rebel.

The whole article is worth a read, especially now in light of the John Watt guilty verdict.

Missing text of article detailed in attachments:

"She stated: “I can confirm that I have never discussed this issue with the individual [Tucker] and was unaware of the individual’s prior history until the matter was recently brought to my attention.”

This came about after Woolf was appointed to chair a parliamentary inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. A position she resigned from shortly after making this statement and before her duties began.

The mind boggles as to what Tucker’s memoir on “What The Butler Saw” might reveal.

He might also go back to the Magic Circle affair and the alleged dastardly goings on at the Laughing Duck pub that led to the infamous “Tucker’s List“.

Oh! It now turns out that Arthur Colin Tucker was a director of the firm that owned the Laughing Duck!

Coincidentally Paul Burrell the ex-butler to Diana sold some private letters by auction recently and one detailed how he opened a pub called the Laughing Duck in Edinburgh as well as making reference to Charles’ little willie is misbehaving. LINK

And just to round off the story of my ‘magic circle’ lawyer, Tucker was in partnership in Laughing Duck Inns with David Ben-Aryeah, a one-time member of the Israeli Army and, some believe, a Mossad agent. LINK

Scots lawyers a dull lot? Certainly not in my experience."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16937898 (301630ZJUL22) Notable: SNP council leader resigns after being accused of sexual misconduct

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/9220997/snp-council-leader-resigns-accused-sexual-misconduct/

COUNCIL SCANDAL SNP council leader resigns after being accused of sexual misconduct

Rachel Watson, Scottish Political Editor 27 Jul 2022

AN SNP council leader has resigned after being accused of sexual misconduct.

Jordan Linden yesterday apologised for his behaviour at a party in 2019 - accepting that he caused “a sense of discomfort”.

In a statement, the Nat councillor also cited concerns for his own mental health.

Mr Linden became head of North Lanarkshire council with a £45,000 salary just two months ago.

But, at the weekend, it was revealed that he had been accused of making unwanted sexual advances towards a young activist at a party in Dundee following a gay pride march.

Following publication of the story, the SNP insisted there had been no complaint made about Mr Linden.

However, yesterday the 27-year-old announced he would stand down as North Lanarkshire Council leader - but remain on as a councillor.

In a lengthy statement, Mr Linden said: “Although I have never approached any personal interaction with ill intent, I accept that my behaviour at that party in 2019 caused a sense of discomfort which I entirely regret.

“I offered my apologies to the person concerned at the time and the matter was closed.

“I reiterate that apology today. And in all that’s been said in recent days, the empathetic words from that individual have given me the most reassurance.”

Mr Linden claimed press coverage of the allegations had put “immense strain” on him personally and had “seriously affected” his mental health.

He added: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve in this role, and I remain proud that I was able to lead the Scottish National Party to administration in North Lanarkshire for the first time.

“I intend to continue to represent the people of Bellshill to the very best of my ability as a councillor, as I have done since first being elected in 2017. The privilege of representing my home town continues to be incredibly special to me.”

The allegations against Mr Linden date back to 2019 with claims he groped a teenager while drunk at a party.

That year Mr Linden was due to stand as an MP candidate in the general election. But four days after the alleged incident he announced he would not stand - despite being nominated.

Scottish Tory MSP Annie Wells said: “Jordan Linden’s resignation and apology are at least a partial acknowledgement of the distress he caused and his responsibility for it. That is more than other SNP members have done in similar cases.

"But the issue here was never just about Mr Linden’s misconduct, but about the SNP’s reluctance to deal with serious allegations against senior party figures.”

In 2017, Mr Linden “stepped aside” after a probe into claims of inappropriate conduct at the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: “This resignation was the right thing to do, but it doesn’t fix the rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up at the heart of the SNP.

“His apology makes it all the more appalling that the SNP hierarchy were so willing to close ranks to protect him.

“The SNP cannot keep looking the other way and letting their scandal-hit politicians call the shots.”

Last night a North Lanarkshire council spokesman said: “We can confirm that the chief executive has received a letter from Councillor Jordan Linden resigning his role as leader of the council.

“A new leader will be elected at a meeting of the council to be held in due course.”

Cheers.

>>>/qresearch/16929381

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/16958808 (031948ZAUG22) Notable: Eleven Scots accused of child sex abuse ring allegedly involving witchcraft and satanic seances

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/crime/eleven-scots-accused-child-sex-27629480

Eleven Scots accused of child sex abuse ring allegedly involving witchcraft and satanic seances.

The seven men and four women faced a 14-page indictment listing 43 different charges during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.

ByGrant McCabe

1 AUG 2022

Eleven people are accused taking part in a child sexual abuse ring also allegedly involving witchcraft, serious violence and neglect.

The seven men and four women faced a 14-page indictment listing 43 different charges during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. The accusations mainly centre around three young children - two girls and a boy - between January 2010 and March 2020 at various addresses in the Townhead, Maryhill and Craigend areas of Glasgow.

They include claims the trio were raped at different times while some of the group did "clap, cheer and verbally encourage" as well as video record what was happening. One of the young girls was said to have been shut in a microwave during an attempt to kill her.

It also alleged the children were forced to take part in satanic "seances" and made to kill animals. Iain Owens, 43, Elaine Lannery, 38, Lesley Williams, 40, Paul Brannan, 40, Marianne Gallagher, 37, Scott Forbes, 49, Barry Watson, 46, Mark Carr, 49, Richard Gachagan, 44, Leona Laing, 50, and John Clark, 46, deny the charges they face.

Owens and Lannery first face a charge of neglecting four youngsters. The accusation features a claim they got a young boy to "courier controlled drugs" on their behalf.

It is then said 10 of the group - apart from Forbes - assaulted the elder girl to the danger of her life starting when she was six. This included running a wheelchair into her legs and also putting a black plastic bag over her head affecting her breathing.

The girl was also allegedly made to eat cat food as well as take drugs and alcohol. The next charge states Owens, Lannery, Williams, Brannan and Gallagher assaulted the young boy.

It is said he was put in a bath which he was allegedly told was filled with blood. Owens, Lannery, Williams, Brannan and Clark are then accused of the attempted murder of the younger of the two girls starting when she was just weeks old.

This charge - which runs between December 2015 and June 2019 - states she was made to "act like a dog" and eat pet food. It also said the group did chase the child while wearing a devil mask.

She was also allegedly hung by her jumper from a nail on the wall. The murder bid charge finally claims the girl was pushed into and trapped inside a microwave, an oven, a fridge freezer and various cupboards.