/qnotables22/ - ===Q Notables 2022===

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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>>125519

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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>>125521

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.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17387002 (131546ZAUG22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Former prosecutor John Watt QC jailed for abusing children

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>>>125519 (You), >>125520 (You), >>125521 (You), >>125521 (You), >>125522 (You) Former top Scots lawyer convicted of historical sex abuse against four children

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-62466734

Former prosecutor John Watt QC jailed for abusing children

9th August 2022.

A former Scottish prosecutor has been jailed for 10 years for sexually abusing four young children more than four decades ago.

John Watt QC, who was also a criminal defence lawyer, preyed on three young girls and a boy over a 14-year period.

The 72-year-old had been extradited from the United States to stand trial in July.

Judge Lord Braid told Watt he had committed "vile" crimes of the "utmost seriousness and depravity."

Watt was also put on the sex offenders register for an indeterminate period.

Former Scots QC guilty of abusing four children

Last month, Watt was found guilty of one charge of rape, one of indecent assault and three of indecent conduct committed at houses in the Edinburgh area between September 1973 and August 1987.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Braid said: "In each case the offences have had a profound and life-changing effect on the victims."

The judge said that Watt continued to maintain his innocence over the abuse and added that perhaps explained why he had not demonstrated any remorse or empathy for his victims.

Lord Braid said: "In your role as advocate depute (Crown Office prosecutor) you prosecuted the very type of offence of which you have now been convicted."

Abuse at gatherings

Watt raped a girl under the age of 12 at an address in the west end of Edinburgh.

Two other girls were later molested by him in their beds at a house in Edinburgh and a 10-year-old boy was subjected to sexual abuse at an address in Leith in 1987.

The court previously heard that a number of the victims had relatives who were also legal figures at the time.

During his trial, Watt pinned the blame on a now dead lawyer for attacks on one of the girls.

The female rape victim told the trial that her father, who was also a lawyer, took her to see Watt at a house in Edinburgh. The woman, now aged 55, said: "I did things to the man which he made me do."

Two sisters told the trial how their lawyer father often hosted gatherings at their home where Watt and others would be present.

One described waking up to find Watt at her bedside before he got in beside her and began touching her inappropriately.

Her sister saw him in the bed and recalled being "frightened", but the advocate then turned on her and subjected her to abuse.

The court heard that their father had subsequently reported Watt to a senior lawyer, who later became a judge, instead of going to police.

The male victim told the court: "I was raped by John Watt. I remember him coming in the room and I remember him telling me to turn over." Watt was meant to be looking after the boy while his parents were away.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17387031 (131554ZAUG22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Ex chief prosecutor Lord Hardie should have told police about child abuse

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>>126170

August 7th 2022 The Sunday Times Scotland.

By Marcelo Mega.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ex-chief-prosecutor-lord-hardie-should-have-told-police-about-sex-abuse-mz0590j2f

ex chief prosecutor Lord Hardie should have told police about child abuse

Lord Hardie up to his neck in covering up child abuse. Yet another one of these Lordy type fucks with absolutely no integrity who should never have been allowed to judge others for in most cases far lesser crimes than child abuse or the covering up of it.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17387203 (131659ZAUG22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Salmond was against holding child abuse inquiry, says Deputy First Minister

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>>126173

Just a reminder after watching this and the reference to an UNDERSPEND of £580 million and I was reminder of the 1.6 billion UNDERSPEND when in 2207 he was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth from 2007-2014

https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/national/18903911.salmond-holding-child-abuse-inquiry-says-deputy-first-minister/

Salmond was against holding child abuse inquiry, says Deputy First Minister

27th November 2020

Former First Minister Alex Salmond and other influential figures in the Scottish Government were against holding an inquiry into the abuse of children in care, John Swinney has said.

Speaking at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Friday, the Deputy First Minister said there was clear division between ministers on the decision to hold a public investigation.

He said an inquiry was authorised “after the change of First Minister had taken place”.

James Peoples QC, senior counsel to the inquiry, said that on Thursday Mike Russell told him “influential figures, including Alex Salmond, Kenny MacAskill and the then lord advocate Frank Mulholland were not persuaded” of the need for an inquiry.

Mike Russell engaged heavily with survivors, John Swinney told the inquiry (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA)

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

Mr Peoples said: “Mike Russell described it as ‘quite robust’.

“He said one school of thought was that the time taken, the cost involved, didn’t support the need for a public inquiry.

“Whereas Mike Russell was putting forward another view of what do survivors want?”

Mr Swinney responded: “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.

“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.”

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.

“When I came to office in 2007, I was pleasantly surprised there was £1.6 billion 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(however many billions given yearly by UK parliament)and there was £1.6 billion that had not been spent, which I found quite surprising.”

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.”

The latest phase of the Scottish Child Abuse 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.

The current inquiry was set up in October 2015.

It is investigating abuse of children in care in Scotland or where their care was arranged in Scotland.

The inquiry continues.

All through the years from 2002 to 15 they were denying an inquiry to victims because of "cost".

CUNTS!

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17417338 (200231ZAUG22) Notable: 16 million trees felled to develop wind farms

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Can Anons confirm?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17484782 (022225ZSEP22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Anger as SNP gave £5m of taxpayer's money to China's controversial 'spy school' in Glasgow

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/world-news/anger-snp-gave-5m-taxpayers-27894826

Anger as SNP gave £5m of taxpayer's money to China's controversial 'spy school' in Glasgow

The Free Tibet campaign is furious that Scottish taxpayers are effectively backing an 'authoritarian government carrying out widespread abuses against Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers and Chinese citizens'

ByBen Borland Editor

2 SEP 2022

The Scottish Government has admitted giving £5.3million of public funds to the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools over the past eight years.

Based at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, it runs 22 learning hubs to promote Chinese languages and culture in schools. However, the organisation - which is controlled directly from Beijing - has come under fire recently amid accusations of espionage.

Confucius Institutes have been closed down in several Western countries and Rishi Sunak has vowed to do the same to the 30 operating in the UK if he becomes Prime Minister. These latest funding figures will only fuel claims that the SNP administration has been too naive in dealing with China.

Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell – shadow cabinet secretary for education and skills – told The Ferret investigative website: "While building cross-cultural links is important, taxpayers will rightly raise an eyebrow at the amount of money being provided by the SNP Government to these controversial institutions, heavily linked to the Chinese Government. Given the large sums involved, full transparency and accountability from ministers is essential."

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, and Aberdeen universities also host Confucius institutes, but they do not receive grants from the Scottish Government.

Others to have previously questioned the organisation's presence on campuses include human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar and Anne Henderson, the former rectors of Glasgow and Edinburgh universities.

John Jones, of the human rights group Free Tibet, described the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools (CISS) an "instrument of soft power by a government that is carrying out widespread abuses against Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers and Chinese citizens".

He added: "While the study of the Chinese language and Chinese culture is fully worth supporting, there is no need for this to be carried out in collaboration with an authoritarian government.

"As the world wakes up to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) human rights abuses against Tibetans, Hongkongers and Uyghurs, it is no surprise that the global trend is one of governments and universities cutting ties with such institutes. It is our recommendation that the Scottish Government follows suit."

The funding figures were published on Thursday and also show the government holds more than 3,000 official documents relating to the Confucius Institute. However, officials refused to release any of these as it would take too long to retrieve them all.

CISS says it is an "award winning Confucius Institute working with schools across Scotland to engage pupils with Chinese language learning and culture". It runs classroom hubs in primary and secondary schools and scholarships are given for pupils to study in China for nine months.

Last year, the Ferret published claims by a former Chinese diplomat that Beijing tries to control its international students studying at Scottish universities through student associations.

The Chinese Embassy in London told the website that China has "never, and will never, exert any political influence on normal academic activities in British universities".

The Scottish Government said: “There is no interference in what is taught in Scottish schools. This is decided solely by Scottish councils, schools and our teachers. Schools are supported in delivering this by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages and its sister organisation Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS)."

A government spokesperson added: “Support provided by CISS, including access to native speaking language assistants and immersion trips to China, would not be possible without their partnerships with Chinese institutions. Educational materials and resources provided by CISS are prepared in line with the principles of Curriculum for Excellence.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17782416 (162227ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Abuse survivors blast SNP's redress scheme as a cold, unfair and distressing ordeal

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>>>/qresearch/17432437

>>126175

>>126172

>>126170

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/abuse-survivors-blast-snps-redress-28502699

Abuse survivors blast SNP's redress scheme as a cold, unfair and distressing ordeal

Lawyer acting for victims say the Redress Scotland scheme lets organisations that allowed abuse to 'hide from public accountability all while saving cash' as John Swinney is told to get it sorted

News

By Ben Borland Editor

Abuse survivors are turning their back on the SNP Government’s redress scheme amid a catalogue of delays, failures and broken promises.

The damning feedback comes one year after the controversial scheme was launched. The Redress Scotland quango is meant to provide one-off payments between £10k to £100k but victims face confusing paperwork, long delays and being made to feel “like a bullet-point on a to-do list”.

Recent data also shows victim applications have plummeted while appeals to low offers have spiked – all while lawyers see an increase in historic abuse claims.

The response from victims is the latest in a 12-month saga of issues with previous concerns raised on a legal waiver, few payments being made and a lack of scheme contributors.

Campaigners fear the scheme is still not fit for purpose and have called on officials to make drastic improvements to avoid worsening the trauma of survivors.

One victim, who was abused by foster parents in East Lothian, gave up on Redress after initially hoping to get recognition after battling with the trauma in secret for decades.

The woman, who gave evidence at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) under the name ‘Rosie’, said: “I was taken in by the assurances but I couldn’t believe the utter mess of the process after I applied.

“I was sent away to fill out huge forms and given no guidance and when I did speak to someone I was met with exasperation like I was a bullet-point on their to do list.

“I was sexually abused as a teenager by a family that was meant to care for me. It took me years to come to terms with things and all I hoped for at this stage was some sense of recognition but Redress turned it into an ordeal of its own. The whole process is cold.”

Applications to scheme fell from 402 to just 83

Redress Scotland was launched on 8 December 2021 by the Scottish Government but it was more than six months later than pledged and without appropriate staffing in place.

It works by organisations like religious groups or local councils contributing to a giant pot. Victims abused in a childhood care setting can apply for a payment of £10k but if they feel they deserve more a panel may consider payments of £20k, £40k, £60k, £80k or a maximum of £100k.

Before receiving any money a survivor must sign a legal waiver to never take a scheme contributor to court in the future.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17782583 (162324ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Covid Bun / Scottish covid inquiry thrown into chaos as top lawyers resign just months after launch

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Have tried several times prior to post this but boards have been fucked up. From 5th October 2022.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-covid-inquiry-thrown-chaos-28156865

Scottish covid inquiry thrown into chaos as top lawyers resign just months after launch

Four lawyers working on the inquiry quit last week but their resignations were only made public yesterday.

News

By Chris McCall Deputy Political Editor

A public inquiry into Scotland's handling of the covid pandemic was thrown into chaos last night after it was revealed four members of its legal team had quit.

It comes just days after the top judge appointed to chair the inquiry quit for "personal reasons".

Douglas Ross KC and three junior counsel sent their resignations to Lady Poole, the inquiry chairwoman, last Thursday.

Poole quit the next day but her departure was not announced until Monday by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

The public inquiry was launched in February and has already cost taxpayers almost £1 million with no estimate of the final cost.

Families who lost loved ones to covid have now demanded the Scottish Government offers an explanation.

Peter Watson, who represents some families whose relatives died in care homes, told The Times : "What we need to know is who is to be appointed as core participants, who they think would be useful to give evidence, if they are going to break it up into modules, as they have in the English inquiry.

"We need timings. We haven't even got premises. The families have had no answers."

The public inquiry into the UK Government's response to the covid pandemic held its first session yesterday. There is no date for when the same will happen in Scotland.

A spokesman for the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry said: "We can confirm that four members of the counsel team have left the inquiry.

"We are immensely grateful for their contribution to the inquiry’s progress and wish them every success."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "A public inquiry operates independently of ministers. As a result, the procedure, conduct and operation of the inquiry, including staffing and counsel appointments, are matters for the chair.

"The Scottish Government is keen to help ensure the excellent progress made so far by the inquiry is continued. Consequently, work to appoint a new chair is being progressed at pace.

They quit because of Government interference.....Just like the previous chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) Susan O'Brien and her deputy Professor Lamb both citing "Government interference" by none other than John Swinney.

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

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17787422 (181731ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Abuse survivors blast SNP's redress scheme as a cold, unfair and distressing ordeal

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>>126184

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-child-abuse-survivors-slam-24810162

Scots child abuse survivors slam £10,000 payout plan from government

They say the huge amount of victims means many will receive payments as low as £10,000 or £20,000 – making it meaningless.

By Marcello Mega

22 AUG 2021

Survivors of child abuse in Scottish institutions have warned that £400million Government compensation won’t be enough.

They say the huge amount of victims means many will receive payments as low as £10,000 or £20,000 – making it meaningless.

One survivor, now in his 60s, said: “It will be remembered as a callous and ineffectual system if people who lost their entire childhood while in care, and are affected by it still, are told their lifetime of suffering is worth £20,000.

“Abuse in childhood, especially sexual abuse and violence and the fear that comes with that, affects your entire life.”

The Scottish Government has set up its Redress Scotland scheme to set levels of compensation, with a maximum award of £100,000, and is committed to making payments to all known survivors.

The most likely number of ­survivors is currently estimated at 8000 but could be as high as 10,400 and half of those ­compensated are expected to receive just £10,000 or £20,000.

Survivors believe the final figures should be higher if they are to provide meaningful redress.

There is also growing dismay among survivors that those evaluating their suffering will be paid at levels higher than the figures they can pay out.

The chair, retired deputy chief constable of Police Scotland Johnny Gwynne, will be paid £560 a day to sit, while panel members will receive £390 a day. Redress Scotland’s work is expected to last five years.

The chair is expected to work only six days a month for most of that time, yet that will take his earnings to over £200,000, more than twice the highest award for survivors.

This has caused anger and survivors say the pay levels are “an insult” to them when their awards will be capped at £100,000.

Dave Sharp, a survivor and campaigner on child abuse, said: “Six years into the inquiry, the Government appears not to know how many people will receive awards.

“Yet, while the chair and panel members pick up hundreds of thousands of pounds for judging survivors, half of those who suffered will be sent away with £10,000 or £20,000.

"It’s clear they have not thought this through.”

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was established in 2015 and has so far heard of appalling abuse of children at institutions run by charities, religious orders and private schools.

Its running costs are set to reach the £50million mark in a few weeks.

Jamie Greene, Scottish Tory justice spokesman, said: “Survivors must have full confidence in the independence of the awards panel and know that claims will be processed fairly without influence.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Survivors can have confidence their applications will be looked at with the care and sensitivity which their circumstances so fully deserve.”

This article is more than a year old, the bill is well over £50 million now

Imagine they just paid out all the victims with that and didn't spend it on legal advice, lawyers fees, consultations, 13 years of delay, talking shops, new start businesses (for profit) conveniently in time for the gravy train? This whole system is rotten to the core.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17787468 (181754ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / FM denies ferry contract was 'jobs for the boys' (video)

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>>126186

Up to her neck in all sorts of corruption this one, her and her pal Swinney who continue to groom our children in Scotland from primary school onwards. Sick CUNTS!

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17806108 (250021ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon sought advice from an author of a book on “English magic” before her controversial trip to China

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>>>/qresearch/17806059

As I said, still relevant....everything is, including this one from 2016.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/733140/Nicola-Sturgeon-SNP-foreign-China-deal-farce-exposed

==Black Friday early deals

REVEALED: 'English magic' expert was behind Sturgeon's £10bn failed China deal==

UNDER-FIRE Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon sought advice from an author of a book on “English magic” before her controversial trip to China, it can be revealed.

By Siobhan McFadyen

The First Minister, who was last week left embarrassed by the collapse of a £10bn trade deal with the country, pleaded for help to find Scottish people to attend events in the Asian country.

And expenses of the trip which took place in July 2015, have still not been released - which is believed to breach the Ministerial code.

To date the up to date costs of the trips have not been published online and the Scottish Government has not responded to a request for the costs.

Now it shown - from a series of emails released - Ms Sturgeon took advice from the author Sir Richard Heygate, who was also a Director of Sino Fortune, the firm behind the £10bn deal, before she flew to the Asian country for the 'top level' diplomatic trade mission that has since been exposed as a sham.

And Sir Richard who had meetings with Ms Sturgeon predicted that China's yuan would "replace the Dollar as international currency" and told her that she should talk about “visions” and “dreams” during her five day junket.

In a series of bizarre emails released by both the Scottish and UK governments under Freedom of Information requests, it can be revealed just how shoddy the trip was. 

Papers show how Ms Sturgeon was asked to rewrite her speech by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office after she tried to mention Hillary Clinton during one of her addresses.

Communications between the SNP led administration and the British Foreign Office also show Ms Sturgeon's officials needed help to find Scots in China to make up the numbers at an event.

In May 2015, just after the General Election, Ms Sturgeon's officials had been in communication with the FCO to discuss the trip.

Ms Sturgeon's special advisors had been asking for help to promote the First Minister during the trip to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in which she was to make a number of addresses to "promote Scottish businesses”.

One email on May 27 stated: "We want to make sure we getting things right from a First Minister but also Leader of SNP perspective."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17830154 (280026ZNOV22) Notable: Scotland will let pupils change gender aged FOUR without their parents' consent - and tells teachers not to question a child's request to choose a new name or use a different toilet

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9888899/Scotland-let-pupils-aged-FOUR-change-gender.html

Scotland will let pupils change gender aged FOUR without their parents' consent - and tells teachers not to question a child's request to choose a new name or use a different toilet

By Michael Blackley

12 August 2021

Children as young as four will be able to change their gender at school without their parents’ consent under guidance introduced in Scotland.

Any pupil who decides they want to switch gender must be supported and listened to in school following the Scottish Government advice.

The guidance applies in primary schools, where the youngest children are only four or five, because ‘recognition and development of gender identity can occur at a young age’.

It also tells teachers not to question a child who says they want to transition to live as a boy or a girl - and instead ask for their new name and pronouns. 

Primary and secondary schools have also been told to put books featuring transgender people on the curriculum, allow pupils to choose which changing room or toilets to use, and consider introducing a gender neutral uniform.

But the guidance was branded ‘shocking’ and led to concerns that children are being allowed to make life-changing decisions at too young an age.

The advice says: ‘Some young people are exploring their gender identity in primary school settings. Primary schools need to be able to meet the needs of these young people to ensure they have a safe, inclusive and respectful environment in which to learn.’

A section on ‘changing name and recorded sex’ says children simply need to tell others informally that they want to use a different name, and that they don’t need to record this formally on their official school record. Advice to school staff on what to do if a child wants to discuss their gender includes asking ‘what name and pronoun you should use to address them’.

It also says that they should ask if their family are aware they are considering their gender identity – but does not suggest the teacher should contact them.

The guidance document also states that no Scottish law compels people to use the toilets that correspond to the gender they were assigned at birth.

Marion Calder, director of the For Women Scotland campaign group, said: ‘To be transgender you have to have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. What are they thinking? Parents will be very concerned to be reading this document.’

Scottish education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: ‘This guidance outlines how schools can support transgender young people while ensuring that the rights of all pupils are fully respected.

‘It provides schools with practical suggestions. The guidance is not prescriptive and does not promote transitioning.’

Nearly 1,600 children have type 2 diabetes as a result of England’s obesity epidemic.

NHS figures show that 122,780 people under the age of 40 have the condition. Of these, 1,570 are children aged 18 or under, including 105 under the age of 12 and 545 aged 12 to 15.

Type 2 diabetes was traditionally seen only in the over-40s. But soaring obesity levels mean cases in children are on the rise.

The Young People With Type 2 Diabetes report, published yesterday by NHS Digital, found that under-40s now comprise about 4 per cent of all those with type 2 diabetes. It is more common in young women, Asian people, and those from poorer backgrounds.

The figures show that around nine in ten under-18s with the condition are classified as obese or overweight.

The report said: ‘Obesity is the dominant category of people with type 2 diabetes at all ages up to 60 years but especially so in younger people.’

It can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes and is more aggressive in younger adults. Charities said the figures were a ‘worrying wake-up call’.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17830210 (280051ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / SNP ministers using chauffeur-driven limos for trips between first and second homes

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ministers-using-chauffeur-driven-28579597

SNP ministers using chauffeur-driven limos for trips between first and second homes

Exclusive: The Scottish Express has found ministers are using their chauffeur-driven cars to shuttle back and forth even when no engagements appear to be taking place.

News

ByBen Borland

Richard Percival

27 NOV 2022

SNP ministers who live in the north have been accused of taking advantage of their lavish limo service by taking long journeys between their first and second homes.

The Scottish Government says the taxpayer-funded car service "provides a secure environment to conduct government business while travelling to and from ministerial engagements".

Ministers can also travel to or from a personal address at the start or the end of the working day.

READ MORE: SNP spent almost £1m of taxpayer cash on chauffeur-driven ministerial car journeys last year

However, the Scottish Express has found that several ministers whose constituencies are in the Highlands – and therefore qualify for an Edinburgh second home – are also using their chauffeur-driven cars to shuttle back and forth on days when no engagements appear to be taking place.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Rural Economy Secretary Mairi Gougeon, public health minister Maree Todd, mental wellbeing minister Kevin Stewart and just transition minister Richard Lochhead are among those to take advantage of the loophole this year alone.

Ms Forbes – who is currently on maternity leave – has made nine 170-mile journeys between her second home in Edinburgh and her main home in Dingwall.

On each occasion, the chauffeur presumably had to make a two-way trip as the car service is based in the capital.

Ms Todd has used a government limo for 19 journeys of 175 miles between Strathpeffer and Edinburgh, while Ms Gougeon has taken 13 journeys of 88 miles between Brechin and Edinburgh.

Mr Stewart has taken six journeys between Aberdeen and Edinburgh (128 miles) and Mr Lochhead took a limo between Elgin and Edinburgh on one occasion this year (172 miles).

All five take advantage of the Edinburgh Second Home Allowance, which allows MSPs who live up north or down south to rent a home in the capital with all expenses paid.

There are regular trains between Edinburgh and Aberdeen and Brechin, while Elgin and Dingwall are also on the rail network.

The MSPs could also drive themselves and claim back the mileage, saving the chauffeur a two-way journey.

Critics called for the practice to stop immediately and branded it an ‘insult’ to Scots suffering from a growing cost of living crisis.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Chauffeur perks for politicians drive taxpayers round the bend.

"Some travel will be required in government roles, but ministerial cars are only meant to be used when necessary.

"With the cost of living crisis biting, ministers must not make excessive use of these luxury limos."

Scottish Conservative Transport spokesman, Graham Simpson, said: "This will stick in the throat of hard-pressed Scots. Government limos aren't there for the private use of SNP ministers. It's fair enough to use them for Government business but not to get to and from private addresses, so this kind of practice needs to stop immediately."

Scottish Labour Finance spokesman Daniel Johnson, added: "Taxpayers are footing an eye-watering bill for SNP Ministers to be chauffeured around from one house to another. This is an insult when ordinary people are struggling with the cost of living crisis and the SNP are cutting services to the bone. Next time the SNP are deciding which budget to raid, they should take a look at their own bloated government operation."

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government defended the spend of almost £1million on the ministerial cars in 2021/22 – and made it clear how they are supposed to be used. They said: "Travel is an essential part of official government business and with the recent easing of Covid restrictions more ministerial business has been conducted in person.

"The Government Car Service provides a secure environment to conduct government business while travelling to and from ministerial engagements. We continually look for ways to ensure the Government Car Service is delivered in the most cost-effective manner, offering the best deal to the taxpayer."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Travel is an essential part of official Government business and Ministerial cars are used for business purposes only. Ministers take their responsibility to travel sustainably very seriously and aim to use more sustainable forms of transport wherever possible."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17850638 (292309ZNOV22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / 4,000 raped or sexually assaulted in UK hospitals over 4 years, horrifying figures reveal

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https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1702406/NHS-hospital-rape-sex-assault-figures-patients-visitors-staff-Wes-Streeting

4,000 raped or sexually assaulted in UK hospitals over 4 years, horrifying figures reveal

Shocking figures uncovered in an investigation show a reported 4,000 rape or sexual assaults took place in UK hospitals over the past four years.

By Francesca Edwards

Mon, Nov 28, 2022

The NHS must "urgently investigate" rape and sexual assault in hospitals, the Shadow Health and Social Care secretary said after an investigation uncovered "disturbing" figures. Byline Times unearthed shocking figures claiming 4,100 patients, visitors, and NHS staff who were raped, or sexually assaulted between January 2019 and September 2022.

Labour’s Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Hospitals ought to be safe places for patients and staff, but these disturbing findings show that is not the case for far too many people. The NHS should urgently investigate why these disgusting crimes are allowed to happen and on such a widespread scale.”

Data collected from 3 police forces across the country revealed the scale of the issue which included at least three incidents against a female child under the age of 13.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson Daisy Cooper said the figures are "horrifying", demanding an "urgent and comprehensive response" from the Government.

“Hospitals should be safe havens for vulnerable patients, visitors and staff and not somewhere where such abhorrent attacks can ever take place," she added

Navina Evans, chief workforce officer at NHS England said: “The health service must be a safe space for patients, the public and our staff. The NHS does not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct, assault, harassment or abuse in any setting and we are clear that all NHS trusts and organisations must have robust security measures in place to keep everyone who uses their sites safe - ensuring immediate action is taken in any cases reported to them.

“We take all complaints very seriously and I would strongly encourage anyone who has concerns about any form of sexual assault while on an NHS site to come forward, report it and seek support.”

Of he reported allegations, just 5.21 percent resulted in a charge of summons. 

The report added: "One police force, which recorded 161 sexual assault and rapes across hospital estates, shared with Byline Times the reasons why charges were never brought following a reported sexual assault. Concerningly, in 26 rapes and 11 sexual assaults, no suspect was able to be identified. 

"Although most police forces did not provide data on the sex of perpetrators and victims, women are overwhelmingly likely to be the victims of sexual assault, with men most likely to be suspects. Women made up 87.1% of alleged victims in North Wales, and 88% of reports to West Mercia were made by women. "

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17864400 (021858ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / 'Shame on you!': Nicola Sturgeon heckled over Scottish government gender reforms

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>>126192

https://news.sky.com/story/shame-on-you-nicola-sturgeon-heckled-over-scottish-government-gender-reforms-12758613

'Shame on you!': Nicola Sturgeon heckled over Scottish government gender reforms

Scotland's first minister was speaking at an anti-violence against women and girls event in Edinburgh.

By Guy Birchall, news reporter

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Nicola Sturgeon has been heckled over her government's plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act.

Speaking at an event hosted by Zero Tolerance Scotland on Tuesday, one attendee shouted "shame on you" at the Scottish first minister.

In a video posted online, the heckler could be seen yelling: "You are allowing paedophiles, sex offenders and rapists to self-ID in Scotland and put women at risk.

"Women campaigning for women's rights is not against trans people.

"Shame on you, you're letting down vulnerable women in Scotland, not allowed to have their own spaces away from any male."

She claimed women have been raped by trans women - although she didn't cite specific cases.

In response, Ms Sturgeon warned against further stigmatising trans people.

After the clip went viral, the heckler was praised by JK Rowling, who has been an outspoken critic of the reforms, with the author tweeting she would like to send the woman "a crate of her favourite tipple".

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill proposes to remove the requirement for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria as a condition of acquiring a gender recognition certificate.

The bill would also drop the minimum age of applicants from 18 to 16, as well as dropping the amount of time most applicants need to live in their acquired gender to three months, with a further three-month reflection period, from two years.

Amendments to the bill at stage two mean the time limit for 16 and 17-year-olds is increased to six months, while another provision was inserted to say the bill would have no impact on the Equality Act.

Concerns have been raised about the impact the bill could have on single-sex spaces, with some critics saying it could put women at risk - a charge Ms Sturgeon and the Scottish government have repeatedly denied.

Under the 2010 Equality Act, people who have undergone gender reassignment can be legally refused entry to single-sex spaces for certain reasons, such as a women's refuge or changing area.

Last week, the Scottish government backed an amendment to the bill which said it would not impact on the Equality Act, put forward by Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy.

'Important voices are heard'

The heckler also hit out at event organisers, who had asked attendees to refrain from talking about the gender reforms.

After the woman appeared to be removed from the room, the Ms Sturgeon apologised if her being there had sparked the confrontation.

"I do not, as I know this organisation does not, seek to close down anyone's freedom of speech," she added.

"It's important that voices are heard, but it is important that all of us get the opportunity to speak freely about these issues.

"What we shouldn't do is further stigmatise a group of women who are too stigmatised already."

see video on link below...

https://news.sky.com/story/shame-on-you-nicola-sturgeon-heckled-over-scottish-government-gender-reforms-12758613

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17864454 (021908ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Ian Blackford to stand down as SNP leader at Westminster

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63821836

Ian Blackford to stand down as SNP leader at Westminster

Ian Blackford is to stand down as leader of the SNP group at Westminster, it has been confirmed.

Mr Blackford said he believed it was time for "fresh leadership" after five years in the role.

He said he would formally stand down at the group's annual general meeting next week.

There has been speculation in recent weeks that some SNP MPs were plotting to replace Mr Blackford as group leader.

In a statement, he said he would continue in his role as the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and had also accepted a new role at the centre of the SNP's independence campaign.

Mr Blackford said: "After more than five years in the role, now is the right time for fresh leadership at Westminster as we head towards a general election and the next steps in winning Scotland's independence.

"During my time as leader, the SNP won a landslide victory in the 2019 general election, with an increased share of the vote and MPs, and support for independence has continued to grow with polling this week showing a majority in favour."

Mr Blackford has become as well-known figure in the House of Commons through his weekly appearance at Prime Minister's Questions and is seen as being a close ally of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader.

He faced calls to resign from political opponents after the Daily Mail reported in June that it had obtained a recording of Mr Blackford urging fellow MPs to give "absolute full support" to SNP MP Patrick Grady, who was suspended for sexual misconduct.

Mr Grady, a former SNP chief whip, was suspended from Parliament for two days over a sexual advance towards a colleague in 2016, and also suspended from the SNP's Westminster group for a week.

Ms Sturgeon subsequently said that the support expressed for Mr Grady had been "unacceptable".

There have been reports that some SNP MPs were also unhappy at Mr Blackford's handling of the case, with Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn recently dismissing suggestions that he was "on manoeuvres" with a view to replacing him as group leader.

At the time, Mr Blackford made clear that he intended to stand for re-election to the post at the upcoming AGM.

He also denied rumours in March that he was considering resigning amid further reports of party infighting.

SNP sources have told BBC Scotland that they expect Mr Flynn to stand for the leadership, and that he has broad support among their MPs and may be the only candidate to succeed Mr Blackford.

The Westminster group's AGM will be held next Tuesday, with the leader being selected by the 44 MPs who currently hold the SNP whip.

It means the new leader will be in place to face Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Questions the next day,

Mr Blackford defeated former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy to become the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber in 2015, with his campaign being mired in controversy over online abuse aimed at Mr Kennedy and his long-running battle with alcoholism.

Brian Smith, who was convenor of the SNP's Skye and Lochalsh branch, later resigned after it was reported that he had called Mr Kennedy a "drunken slob" and "quisling-in-chief" in a series of more than 130 tweets.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17865342 (022215ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Kerelaw: John Muldoon and Matthew George guilty of sexual abuse

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https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/23166864.north-ayrshire-two-men-guilty-sexual-abuse-kerlaw-school/

High court

Kerelaw: John Muldoon and Matthew George guilty of sexual abuse

TWO men who worked at a Stevenston school for troubled children have been found guilty of the horror abuse of almost 30 pupils.

Former art teacher Matthew George, 73, and care worker John Muldoon, 69, were convicted after a fresh probe into how youngsters were treated at Kerelaw residential school.

Jurors heard how physical and sexual attacks were "rife" with children too scared to report their ordeals at the time.

George, of Largs, was today convicted of a total of 39 charges involving 21 boys and girls.

Muldoon, of Irvine, was found guilty of 16 of the charges he faced. These listed nine children including the rape of two girls.

Two of the victims were abused by both.

The pair had previously been jailed in 2006 for abuse at Kerelaw.

George was locked up for 10 years and Muldoon two-and-a-half years.

But they were hauled back into the dock in 2017 amid new allegations.

This led to a two-month trial at the High Court in Glasgow, which saw jurors convict them again today.

The pair had been on bail but were remanded in custody as a judge warned them they face "significant" sentences in the New Year. 

The crimes occurred between 1975 and 2000.

George had been a teacher at Kerelaw for 29 years.

The school - run by Strathclyde Regional Council and then Glasgow City Council - closed in 2006.

Victims - with much of the evidence recorded and played before jurors - spoke of being abused by George there and at his home in Largs.

As well as horrific sexual abuse, the court heard of physical violence which included children being put down holes while also being punched and hit.

Putting allegations to George, prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said: "A picture of routine violence and it being ignored?"

George: "That is the picture some are painting."

Terrified victims were scared to complain as they feared "repercussions".

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17866574 (030026ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Covid Bun / Service launched for children not attending school in Glasgow

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https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23166045.amp/

Service launched for children not attending school in Glasgow

By Lauren Brownlie

Senior reporter

2 December 22

A first-of-its-kind service has been launched to provide support to Glasgow primary and secondary school children who are finding it difficult to attend school.

Quarriers has been awarded the contract for Glasgow’s first Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance service which will be available to all primary schools and secondary schools to help children and their families develop a plan towards positive steps back into education.

Within Glasgow City Council schools, the number of children with under 80% attendance has increased from 12.30% to 14.70% between August to December 2020 and the same period last year.

REACH (Respond, Engage, Ask, Connect, Hope), has been launched in association with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership and will provide targeted support to children who have prolonged non-attendance or are starting to show signs of developing a non-attendance profile at school.

The service aims to promote the well-being of every child to ensure they can be supported to reach their full potential.

There are many complex reasons why children don’t attend school including poor mental health, anxiety, language and communication difficulties or other concerns.

Colin Simpson, service co-ordinator of Quarriers REACH service, said: "What is different about this service is that we are able to go into the community and spend time with the children and their families at home to overcome some of their anxieties and mental health challenges.

“We will provide a supportive relationship in the home and help the young people on a journey back towards their learning.”

Barry Syme, Glasgow City Council's principal educational psychologist, said the aim was to intervene early to support young people and help divert them from the adult mental health system and much worse outcomes and more expensive interventions.

He added: "Covid prevented a lot of young people experiencing opportunities because they were at home and that is going to be a real challenge and we probably haven't seen what the impact of that has been."

REACH has specially trained staff who can offer one-to-one, child-centred support to help build the strengths of each child and discover what works best for them.

Workers can help act as a bridge between the school, help the child gain access to support already available within the school, or where appropriate will refer to services out with, for example, social work or health and educational psychologists.

The team will also help parents understand the pressures on children and help them support their child toward positive destinations.

A request for a referral can be emailed to reachservice@quarriers.org.uk or contact the service on the REACH Team Leader’s direct contact number - 07827 042202.

For more details, go to quarriers.org.uk/reach-service

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17873314 (040238ZDEC22) Notable: 16 million trees felled to develop wind farms

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>>>/qresearch/17866591

>All from those Lockdowns against a virus with a 99.9% Recovery Rate in kids. Nice job SNP

Just like any other cold.

I'm still convinced it was no coincidence they used the coronavirus as the vehicle for their jabs...the virus seems to be taking out a few royals along the way; will it usher in a new one? I don't know. I do know that those that for generations have presided in the gutting of personal freedoms for the people should never be considered for a moment.

If that's the way we go once wrongs have been righted it better be someone who knows their place is of subservience to the rest of us and not one of dominance.

>>>/qresearch/17872657

>Any idea why Blackford is really stepping down?

Honestly? No.

I'd not be in the least surprised to find it was in connection to John Watt QC and the wider circle of people that were/are involved in child abuse. I don't know though. I do know that the SNP for what must be approaching the end of their 4th (?) term in office and for all of it they have done everything they could to sweep it all under the carpet.

There is so much corruption on so many levels that it could be a number of them.

I do know that there is a change most demonstrable in the arrest and conviction of John Watt QC and it is having a knock on effect. Grindingly slow are the wheels of justice but they do seem to be turning in the right direction.

Have you any idea yourself?

>>>/qresearch/17800067

>Is there a Scottish word for "boondoggle?"

I thought it "was" a Scottish word, it sounds like a word a Scot might make up.

According to this..

https://www.history.com/news/where-did-the-word-boondoggle-come-from

the word origninates in New York and appears to relate to "neckerchief slides" which in the Boy Scouts is known as a "woggle". Could it be a NY attempt at something like "rhyming slang" common in the UK particularly among east enders from London? The cockney is a dying breed in London. It seems we Brits are being disposed of by our own government and replaced.

>>126177

>Can Anons confirm?

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18270734.14m-trees-cut-scotland-make-way-wind-farms/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17925807 (120047ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Nicola Sturgeon has two speechwriters costing taxpayers up to £125,000 a year for 'hot air'

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>>126192

>>126194

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-two-speechwriters-costing-28624268

Nicola Sturgeon has two speechwriters costing taxpayers up to £125,000 a year for 'hot air'

Exclusive: The Scottish Government employees 'mainly' work for the First Minister although they also provide 'speaking notes' for John Swinney and Humza Yousaf

News

ByJohn Glover

The SNP Government has revealed that it is paying up to £124,825 a year for two scribes to write speeches for Nicola Sturgeon as well as "speaking notes" for John Swinney and Humza Yousaf.

Both wordsmiths also occasionally help train policy officials about speechwriting on top of their usual services. Over the past five financial years, they have cost the taxpayer up to £600,000.

The Scottish Government also spent an additional £8,000 on external speechwriting services for ministers during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. This is despite the Nats ALREADY spending £4million-a-year on an army of 176 spin doctors.

The figures were revealed following Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Conservatives, who suggested Ms Sturgeon and her administration were suffering from "delusions of grandeur"

MSP Russell Findlay said: “Taxpayers are being hit with the gargantuan bill for SNP hot air. Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Humza Yousaf speak a lot of words but rarely say anything of substance.

“During the cost-of-living crisis, Scots might wonder why ministers are splurging this six-figure amount to spin SNP lines. It’s out of touch and smacks of delusions of grandeur.

“Rather than waste money on speechwriters, why not save public cash by getting one of the many party spinners to do the job instead?”

In 2021, police launched a fraud investigation after a publisher received £295,000 in grants and loans before publishing a collection of Ms Sturgeon's speeches called 'Women Hold Up Half the Sky: Selected Speeches of Nicola Sturgeon'.

A rival publisher even claimed he was "vilified" after writing directly to the First Minister to raise concerns about Sandstone Press of Inverness, run by SNP supporter Robert Davidson.

The Scottish Government also maintains an online library of Ms Sturgeon's speeches including all her Covid-19 daily statements and other public pronouncements.

The FOI said: "In the last five financial years, there have been two posts in the Scottish Government, which are primarily dedicated to speechwriting. These speechwriters mainly write for the First Minister, but they have also provided speaking notes for the Deputy First Minister, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health.

"They also on occasion help to train policy officials about speechwriting. One post is currently graded at C2 level, and the other is currently graded at B3 level."

B3 level staff are paid between £39,659-£47,485 a year while a C2 level salary grade earns between £65,275-£75,341.

It adds: "The Scottish Government also spent £8,000 during the 2021-22 financial year on external speechwriting services, as a result of the high volume of ministerial speeches and remarks during COP26. It did not spend anything on external speechwriting services during the other four financial years."

A government spokesman told us: “Ministerial speeches are an important way to inform the public of the action the government is taking to improve the lives of those who live in Scotland. This includes providing vital public health messages, promoting vaccination campaigns and giving advice to help people with the current cost of living crisis.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17950879 (160108ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Nicola Sturgeon walks away after questions on husband's £107,000 'cashflow' loan to SNP (video)

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-walks-away-after-28740737

Nicola Sturgeon walks away after questions on husband's £107,000 'cashflow' loan to SNP

The First Minister walked into a lift, then up a flight of stairs, after being quizzed on the loan by reporters.

News

ByPaul Hutcheon

15 DEC 2022

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon walked away from questions over why her husband loaned the SNP over £100,000.

She twice said SNP chief executive Peter Murrell had made a “personal contribution” before quickly walking up the stairs to her office. According to the Electoral Commission, the £107,620 loan was made on June 20th last year.

Nearly £50,000 has been paid back, with £60,000 remaining outstanding, and opposition parties at Holyrood have demanded answers.

Asked about the loan by reporters after First Minister’s Questions, she said: “Look, he made a personal contribution as a supporter of the party and that is the position.”

She then left the media scrum before walking into a lift and leaving it again. She repeated her answer about a “personal contribution” before heading for the stairs.

Following the revelation Labour MSP Neil Bibby called for transparency, he said: “This is highly irregular and the First Minister’s part if any in providing these secret loans needs further investigation.

“The saga surrounding the SNP’s finances just keeps getting murkier, from the questions around the notorious £600k to the unexplained resignation of the party’s finance committee.

“The SNP operate under a veil of secrecy and cover-up by default, but the public deserve transparency about the dealings going on in the party of government.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17950974 (160121ZDEC22) Notable: Police Scotland appoint controversial cop who led Number 10 lockdown parties probe as new Deputy Chief Constable

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/9864860/police-scotland-controversial-deputy-chief-constable/

NEW BEAT Police Scotland appoint controversial cop who led Number 10 lockdown parties probe as new Deputy Chief Constable

Paul Rodger

2 Dec 2022

POLICE Scotland has appointed a controversial cop as its new Deputy Chief Constable.

Jane Connors, who headed the probe into lockdown parties at Number 10, has taken up the £190,390 per year role as she joins the force's top brass.

Tonight Police Scotland confirmed Ms Connors was chosen after a recruitment campaign was launched on October 13.

She is leaving her role as temporary Deputy Assistant Commissioner for professionalism at the Metropolitan Police and replaces Will Kerr, who was appointed Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police.

Ms Connors led the Met's probe into Downing Street bashes during lockdown.

The investigation concluded that then Prime Minister Boris Johnson hadn't breached Covid regulations more than once.

She was also embroiled in a row over the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil.

Ms Everard was abducted, raped and killed by ex-Met firearms officer Wayne Couzens in March last year.

People gathered in Clapham Common in London to pay their respects to the murdered marketing executive.

But heavy-handed cops broke up the vigil and some mourners were pinned to the ground, arrested and dragged away by officers.

The shocking scenes led to a backlash against the force.

Just a few months later, Ms Connors defended the Met's policing strategy after Wembley Stadium security was overwhelmed by ticketless fans at the Euro 2020 final last year.

The force faced sustained criticism over a vigil in Clapham held for the 33-year-old marketing executive after she was abducted and murdered by Scotland Yard firearms officer Wayne Couzens.

Police Scotland has described Ms Connors as a "highly experienced police leader" with a "wealth of complementary skills".

The appointment selection panel was chaired by Martyn Evans, chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

It also included Sir Iain Livingstone, Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Professor Fiona McQueen, an SPA board member, and Angela Leitch, chief executive of Public Health Scotland.

Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, was an advisor to the panel.

Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Jane is an outstanding police leader who will add further experience and skills to our senior team.

“I am grateful to all the high-quality candidates who stepped-forward for what has been a demanding and competitive process.”

Mr Evans said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jane Connors QPM as Deputy Chief Constable to Police Scotland.

"Jane is a highly experienced police leader who brings a wealth of complementary skills to strengthen and support the Chief Constable and wider leadership team.”

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: "DAC Jane Connors has made a massive contribution to policing London, from leading on tackling violence to commanding public order operations of great scale and complexity.

"She will be sadly missed but I know what an asset she will be to Police Scotland."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17983794 (200038ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Gender law could lure sex offenders to Scotland, claims former First Minister

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/gender-law-could-lure-sex-28760928

Gender law could lure sex offenders to Scotland, claims former First Minister

Lord McConnell said a summit should be staged to bring together different parties.

ByPaul Hutcheon

18 DEC 2022

A former Labour First Minister has claimed new gender recognition proposals could lure sex offenders to Scotland.

Lord McConnell also called for a three month pause on the Bill so that a summit could address concerns.

The SNP/Green Government’s Bill aims to simplify the process for a person to obtain a certificate for changing their gender.

Provisions include removing the requirement for a medical diagnosis and replacing it with a system of so-called “self-ID”.

Critics believe the Bill, which will have its final vote on Wednesday, could allow predatory males to access single sex spaces like women’s refuges and rape crisis clinics.

McConnell, First Minister between 2001 and 2007, wrote in the Sunday Times: “There are really serious concerns about safe spaces for women, especially those facing and dealing with the trauma of abuse, violence and rape.”

He also claimed there could be an “incentive” for predatory male sex offenders to come to Scotland, identify as female, and access female only spaces.

He added: “I support reform of gender self-identification to help those facing real difficulties in their personal lives , but the Scottish parliament must pause the final decisions on this bill.

“There should be a summit with open debate that engages those with genuine worries, and makes appropriate changes to make sure women are safe in Scotland.”

Defenders of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill counter by saying the new system would not impact on single sex services and accuse the critics of alarmism.

An initial vote on the Bill in October led to 9 SNP MSPs failing to support the Government.

Holyrood sources expect the Bill to pass, but accept divisions in the SNP and Labour are inevitable.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17984031 (200130ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Covid Bun / Scottish government won’t investigate vaccination status of women who lost babies for fear of truth

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>>126180

>Scottish Government Orders Investigation Into Recent Spike in New Born Baby Deaths

Scottish government won’t investigate vaccination status of women who lost babies for fear of truth

By

Derek Knauss -

November 16, 2022

From conservativereview .com:

Imagine a government openly telling its citizens that officials are refusing to study the effects of a dangerous therapeutic because if the results show it’s indeed harmful, it might cause people to lose confidence in the product. Sound genocidal? Well, that’s exactly what Public Health Scotland is doing.

Back in the good old days, when science and public health abided by the Nuremberg Code, the public health establishment would embrace the opportunity to scrutinize the safety of a medical product in order to discover any potential harms to the public so that the public would be forewarned against consuming that product. This was doubly true after sudden deaths and complications correlated directly during the time of the inception of that product. Now, they are openly admitting they are avoiding all studies of negative consequences, including neonatal deaths, because such discoveries might make people not want to take the product. Welcome to the new religion of “biomedical Baal,” where lives must be sacrificed for the religious sacrament.

Last year, we reported that Public Health Scotland identified a disturbing trend of neonatal deaths more than doubling in the fall of 2021, which triggered an investigation by the health authorities. Bizarrely, they never studied the vaccines as a potential culprit, never affirmed what was the cause, but did rule out COVID itself. Fast-forward to this year, when the safety signals began blaring red again in March, and they launched another preliminary investigation. This time they quickly ruled out the vaccines, but bizarrely never studied the vaccination status of the women who suffered infant deaths! Now, emails released via public information requests by the Scotland Herald reveal that Public Health Scotland refused to study vaccination status because officials openly admitted they didn’t want the public to find out potential harms about the shots.

On October 9, the Scotland Herald published an article titled, “Covid Scotland: Vaccines ruled out in neonatal deaths spike.” Naturally, I was intrigued to find out how the health authorities studied this and how they ruled out the vaccines as a cause. Well, it turns out they studied it by not studying it! They refused to study the vaccination status of the mothers and just opted to conclude on their own that there was no “plausible” link between the shots and the shocking rise in neonatal deaths that cannot be attributed to chance. Why would they do this? According to the Herald:

Public Health Scotland (PHS) said its consultants had given “careful consideration” to the “potential benefits and harms” of carrying out such an analysis as part of its probe into the tragic deaths of 39 infants, but concluded against doing so because “it was not possible to identify a scenario that would have resulted in a change to public health policy or practice” given that vaccination policy was already “appropriately informed by good-quality population-level evidence and safety data.”

I had to read this several times to make sure there weren’t typos or my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. They are essentially saying that no matter what is discovered about the safety of the shots, they will never, ever terminate this vaccination program. That is a given – a fixed variable. As such, they feel there is no benefit to finding out the harm if there are no plans to change policy.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17986919 (201608ZDEC22) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Former prosecutor John Watt QC jailed for abusing children

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>>>/qresearch/17433061

Back to Advocate John Halley.

Somehow I'm unable to go back further than July 11th on John's twitter feed, unsure why or if this is the same for others visiting his twitter account? The last I posted on John's twitter account was from his June 21st post....restating his inquiry "What about Sheriff Duff".

>>>/qresearch/17432437

>>126175

>>126172

>>126170

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17987142 (201701ZDEC22) Notable: Military could be deployed to help limit Christmas strike disruption

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https://news.sky.com/story/army-could-be-deployed-to-help-limit-christmas-strike-disruption-12761258

Military could be deployed to help limit Christmas strike disruption

Around 2,000 military personnel, civil servants and volunteers are being trained to support a range of services, including Border Force at airports and ports, the government says.

Samuel Osborne

News reporter

Sunday 4 December 2022

Military personnel could be drafted in to limit disruption caused by planned strikes in the run-up to Christmas.

Military personnel could be deployed as ambulance drivers and firefighters, the government said.

It said around 2,000 military personnel, civil servants and volunteers are being trained to support a range of services, including Border Force at airports and ports.

It said the decision on deploying troops was yet to be taken, but the troops "are part of the range of options available should strike action in these areas go ahead as planned".

The UK faces a wave of strikes this winter, which will affect services including transport, the NHS, education and delivery drivers.

Tens of thousands are expected to take industrial action as the UK is gripped by recession and the cost of living crisis.

"Multiple unions have taken the decision to strike over the coming weeks, leaving millions of people facing disruption over the Christmas period," the government said.

"Many unions are asking for uplifts in line with inflation or even more - despite comparable uplifts in the private sector averaging between four and six per cent so far this year.

"The government recognises these are very challenging economic times. That's why it is focused on getting inflation under control as the best way to help everyone's money go further and avoid soaring inflation rates being embedded in the UK economy."

The government added: "There is still time to call off planned strikes and ministers have repeatedly called for unions and employers to keep talking and come to an agreement, rather than take pre-emptive industrial action."

Well we are here now, strikes etc.

Let's see what transpires.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18039348 (300335ZDEC22) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry accused of ignoring Operation Planet and evidence of establishment paedophile ring

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-child-abuse-inquiry-accused-28684548

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry accused of ignoring Operation Planet and evidence of establishment paedophile ring

EXCLUSIVE: Lawyer John Halley says there was "no excuse" for the inquiry to not include an investigation into the infamous Operation Planet scandal from the 1990s claiming the 'rent boys' involved were victims of child trafficking

ByJohn GloverTrainee reporter

28 DEC 2022

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been accused of ignoring evidence of an establishment paedophile ring operating in the 1990s.

Advocate and part-time sheriff John Halley was appointed as a lead junior counsel to the public inquiry in 2015 by Scottish Government minister Angela Constance. He says his remit included the investigation of "child trafficking through prostitution of children in care in Scotland".

Mr Halley then battled cancer for several years before handing a detailed legal "Note" to chair Lady Smith on April 1, 2019. He says he was then told that he had strayed beyond his remit and had included material he "ought not to have been working on".

READ MORE: Jimmy Savile cop claims another famous paedophile is operating in UK

The Scottish Daily Express has seen his bombshell Note and it threatens to blow the lid off multiple child abuse scandals that could reach the very top of British society.

In it, Mr Halley calls on the inquiry to look at information that is already in the public domain about a police investigation from the 1990s called Operation Planet, claiming there is "no excuse" for choosing not too.

Operation Planet was launched after officers discovered a 16-year-old boy in a flat in central Edinburgh who had been held over a period of 10 days and drugged and repeatedly raped by a number of men, said to include some influential public figures.

The investigation initially resulted in 57 charges against 10 men, later reduced to 10 charges against five men whose not guilty pleas were accepted by a court in February 1991.

It led to claims of an establishment paedophile ring that is said to have operated over several decades and to have included, at one time or another, well-known TV personalities, judges, lawyers and senior police officers.

Mr Halley analysed a 1993 report written by Lord Nimmo Smith that looked into the Planet investigation and the events that followed called 'Allegations of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice'.

Controversially, by modern standards at least, it dismissed the young people involved – many of whom were children in care – as 'rent boys' and said they were not being abused because they were receiving payment.

Mr Halley said the young people were in fact part of a child trafficking network and called on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to re-investigate the Operation Planet probe.

He noted that the criminal cases were dropped after the Crown accepted that sex had been consensual between the complainers and the accused.

"However, that view may be open to question," Mr Halley states. "The extent of the real consent is likely to have been consent to payment. The circumstances appear to point to exploitation through prostitution. This may be trafficking of children in care.

"Thorough investigations should be carried out with or without applications to the SCAI, standing the insidious nature of the problem, and the systematic criminalisation of the victims."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18039360 (300336ZDEC22) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry accused of ignoring Operation Planet and evidence of establishment paedophile ring

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>>126213

......continued.....

'Crystal clear example of child trafficking in Scotland'

He goes on to discuss the 16-year-old boy – known as M – who was "taken from a care home by a group of men" and states: "M was drugged and raped. He was kidnapped for 10 days. This is a crystal clear, proved beyond reasonable doubt, example of child trafficking in Scotland."

M was held at a property Palmerston Place in Edinburgh's West End owned by Tam Paton, manager of the Bay City Rollers. Although Paton was already a convicted paedophile by the time the report was complied in 1993, the report does not mention his ownership of the property.

Mr Halley adds: "However, there is a striking and very concerning aspect of the material in the report, for present purposes. The concern is that there appears to be little or no active consideration given to the need to protect children in the care system who are at risk of exploitation through prostitution.

"In fact, the accepted views and policies highlighted in the report point to a contrary prevalent attitude which appears to have clearly fostered and encouraged exploitation of young people in care through prostitution. On a critical reading of the report, it appears to intentionally ignore blatant child trafficking."

He describes the original incident as the "clearest record of trafficking of a child in care" and argues that the "abuse of M, and the perpetrators of that abuse, whether or not they were convicted of offences at the time (i.e. even if they were acquitted), require to be investigated by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry".

Adding: "It is certain fact for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry which has been investigated, prosecuted (to some extent) and reconsidered (albeit for different purposes) in a publicly available report commissioned by the Lord Advocate. There is no reason, and no excuse available, for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to decline to consider this.

"This publicly known and investigated case of child trafficking has apparently been ignored from the perspective of child welfare concerns. Prima facie, that may point to failures in various systems, including the legal system at the very highest level.

"But it is not just the procedures in the care system that require to be considered here. Crown Office procedures, the practice of lawyers and the operation of judges and the courts all feature. The failure to identify the problem and call it what it is – child trafficking - and to investigate and report from a welfare perspective appears as endemic as it is damning."

'I was instructed and I did investigate'

Mr Halley continues: "It must be viewed as obviously wrong for the SCAI to ignore the sexual exploitation of rent boys who were in care because money had changed hands (i.e. because their consent was being paid for). The same attitude was and is unacceptable in respect of young women in care. Such situations must be investigated, identified and properly labelled as child trafficking through prostitution.

"It is right and proper, for the sake of public confidence in the interests of justice, that SCAI should fully and properly investigate matters in which the same Crown Office policy operated where there are factual allegations (not necessarily made by the complainers) and they fall within the [Terms of Reference]."

Mr Halley's role in investigating historic child abuse was defined by Lady Smith at a meeting in September 2016 and he was diagnosed with bowel cancer the following month, meaning that he has been unable to return to work.

Nevertheless, he was able to compile his 17,500 Note for Lady Smith. However, after submitting his report, she informed him through the secretary(Daughter of Lord Cullen of 100 year cover up fame)of the inquiry that it included material he "ought not to have been working on".

He said: "I refute that entirely. I was instructed and I did investigate and report. The Note sets out a summary of my remit, important facts, allegations inferences and sources for investigation by the SCAI."

A spokesman for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry said: "The Inquiry is engaged in extensive investigations which are ongoing. All information we become aware of, related to the abuse of children in care, is considered as part of the work of the Inquiry."

>>>/qresearch/18019548

>4.

>

>"This is the real issue that requires urgent attention: the proximity of relationships of key institutional decision makers."

>

>Lord Cullen's daughter as Personal Secret(ary) to the Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) is one of these instances that need's URGENT attention. Pushed by Lord Brian Gill.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18055735 (020003ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Covid Bun / Doctors ask health board to declare major incident

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-64126110

Doctors ask health board to declare major incident

30 December 2022

A&E doctors have urged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to declare a major incident amid "grave concerns" over patient safety, the BBC understands.

Staff working at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital said the A&E department continued to be overwhelmed.

NHS GGC, which declined the move, said it was taking action to support staff.

It comes as both NHS Borders and NHS Grampian issued a plea to staff on leave to come into work, due to "extreme pressure" at hospitals.

With an increase in flu and respiratory viruses across Scotland, health boards have asked the public only to attend A&E if it is urgent or life threatening.

Flu rates in Scotland at highest level since 2017

A series of messages seen by the BBC show a request from A&E consultants in Glasgow to declare a major incident was declined by NHS GGC on Thursday.

They asked for it to be called so extra resources could be diverted to the department.

A major incident is declared when the the health of the community is under serious threat.

Special measures would be put in place to assist the demand on the health service, such as extra resources to manage the volume of patients.

The messages said every space in the emergency department was occupied by patients waiting for a bed in the hospital, with no resuscitation beds and an eight-hour delay for ambulances offloading patients.

'Substandard care'

"We are now unable to provide safe critical care," read one of the messages.

Another read: "This is without any doubt the worst shift I've worked, and I've never been more convinced of real patient harm due to overcrowding and exit block."

Staff said a combination of issues meant critically-ill patients received "substandard care both clinically and from [a] humanitarian perspective".

The health board was later asked to reconsider calling a major incident, which it again declined.

A spokesperson for NHS GGC said: "We have an escalation policy that would allow us to declare any major incidents and we closely monitor the safety of our departments and patients at all times and keep this under close review.

"Our services, like the whole of Scotland, are facing major pressures including significant Covid, flu and norovirus cases and our staff are doing all they can to meet this demand."

Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Little France, Edinburgh

Both NHS Borders and NHS Grampian have put out an urgent call for any staff on leave to come into work.

NHS Grampian said it was facing "an extreme level of pressure" due to the number of acutely ill patients arriving at hospital and difficulties in discharging patients to the community .

NHS Borders also said its services were under "extreme pressure" and it had higher than normal staff sickness levels due to Covid and flu.

Meanwhile, NHS Lothian said the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John's Hospital, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People were all at full capacity.

The health board said high levels of respiratory viruses in Lothian was heaping extra pressure on its hospitals

'Wear a mask'

Dona Milne, NHS Lothian director of public health, said: "We have now reached extraordinary levels of flu in Scotland that we haven't seen for many years.

"Although they can be mild infections for many, it can be extremely serious for some people causing them to require urgent hospital treatment.

"We are asking anyone who has cold or flu like symptoms to help limit the spread of infection. Stay at home if you feel unwell. And if you do have to go out, please wear a mask."

Scotland recorded its worst ever performance times at A&E in the week up to 18 December, with 55% of patients seen within the government target of 4 hours.

This is down 7.4% compared to the previous week.

At the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, just 45% of patients were seen within four hours.

A total 1,821 patients spent more than 12 hours in emergency departments across Scotland.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18056066 (020056ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / UK Government set to mount unprecedented legal challenge to block SNP's gender bill

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/legal-showdown-looms-over-snps-28849557

UK Government set to mount unprecedented legal challenge to block SNP's gender bill

The Tories are poised to lodge a Section 35 Order in an attempt to veto the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which passed in Holyrood by 86 to 39.

ByJohn Ferguson

1 JAN 2023

The UK Government is set to mount an unprecedented legal challenge to block Nicola Sturgeon’s controversial gender reforms. The Sunday Mail has learned that ministers will more likely than not lodge a Section 35 Order in an attempt to veto the legislation within weeks.

The mechanism has never been used but effectively gives the UK Government a right to block laws produced by the Scottish Parliament from gaining royal assent on the grounds they adversely affect UK statutes. The move would almost certainly result in a Supreme Court showdown between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A senior UK Government source said: “Ministers across the UK Government have very serious concerns about the SNP’s gender recognition bill. Lawyers and officials are still assessing the potential impact of the bill on the Equalities Act and other UK-wide legislation and considering the implications for prisons and schools.

“Obviously any action by the UK Government would have to be consistent with the devolution settlement but using a Section 35 Order, as set out in the Scotland Act, to prevent the Bill going for royal assent is absolutely on the table.”

Earlier this month the Scottish Parliament voted to make it possible for people to legally change their gender without a medical assessment, faster, and at the age of 16 rather than 18. While many MSPs say it advances the trans community, feminists fear for women’s rights and access to single sex spaces.

A UK Government challenge to the legislation revolves around how the new bill will impact women and girls’ rights in prisons and schools. The fear is that predatory men who claim to be trans to more easily gain a Gender Recognition Certificate in Scotland can then use it to exploit the Equalities Act in other parts of the UK.

The Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill by 86 to 39. But Scottish Secretary Alister Jack announced less than an hour later that the UK Government would consider using powers under the Scotland Act to prevent it becoming law.

The UK Government has a four-week period to review any bill agreed by MSPs before it moves to royal assent. A Section 35 allows the Scottish Secretary to lay an order essentially vetoing it.

It acknowledges the legislation is devolved but blocks its progress on the grounds it could have an adverse impact on legislation reserved to the UK.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman made clear any attempt to block the bill would be vigorously opposed.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18077541 (050231ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Timeline: Events leading to Susan O'Brien's resignation

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I really should have reviewed this stuff in real time.

1

Shame the link to the "US calls out Scotland over child slavery cases" story in the Times is not available. Here's one from the Scotsman

https://www.scotsman.com/news/crime/scottish-prosecutors-angered-by-us-criticism-of-record-on-child-slavery-3794204

"A spokesman for the Scottish government said: “Any form of human trafficking or exploitation is completely unacceptable and it is vital Scotland continues to play its part in helping victims." Lady Smith @SCAI

appears to have done nothing re my Note for SCAI, dated 1 April 2019.

Yeah, seems Lady Smith took it as an April Fool's prank. 2023 now and still no public Acknowledgement of it........or is the jailing of John Watt QC evidence of movement here? I don't know.

2.

Replies. Auld yin bang on the money again.

Replying to

@AdvocateHalley

and

@SCAI

@ScottishCAI

when will Lady Smith address the issues raised in John Halley's note? Why is it being avoided?

3.

Love the hat John. Not just any old hat?

4.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 6, 2022

Replying to @AdvocateHalley @BDevlin1 and 3 others

Here's a belter from 30.6.16:

"The first minister stands up at Holyrood and says ministers do not accept Prof Lamb's claims about the independence of the inquiry." Demonstrable lies. I was there, I have the documentation and I can, and will, prove it.

https://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla

Takes you to the bbc story here....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36713198

Timeline: Events leading to Susan O'Brien's resignation

5.

Replies to above are interesting.

as are the ones here prior to and leading to the tweet highlighted in 4. The origin of the tweet is in reply to a photo taken (supposedly by Sturgeon)...

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 6, 2022

Replying to

@janeymcd23

@BDevlin1

and

@spunsin

Wouldn’t even trust that @NicolaSturgeon

took the photo, without evidence, I’m afraid

Brian Devlin

@BDevlin1

·

Aug 6, 2022

Replying to

@AdvocateHalley

@janeymcd23

and 2 others

She didn’t claim she had

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 6, 2022

Replying to

@BDevlin1

@janeymcd23

and 2 others

You're right Brian. Apologies for loose language. The point remains however. Prevarication, concealing the truth and active lies are matters for which the FM has record.

All of that coming before this one..

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

Replying to

@AdvocateHalley

@BDevlin1

and 3 others

Here's a belter from 30.6.16:

"The first minister stands up at Holyrood and says ministers do not accept Prof Lamb's claims about the independence of the inquiry." Demonstrable lies. I was there, I have the documentation and I can, and will, prove it.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18077710 (050249ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Timeline: Events leading to Susan O'Brien's resignation

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>>126217

>Takes you to the bbc story here….

>

>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36713198

>

>Timeline: Events leading to Susan O'Brien's resignation

>

The resignation of Susan O'Brien QC as head of a panel examining historical child abuse in Scotland is the latest in a series of controversies. Here is a timeline of events which led to the departure of Ms O'Brien.

line

December 2014 - Abuse inquiry announced

Following a series of disclosures of abuse in childcare institutions in Scotland, the Scottish government announced that it would be setting up an inquiry to examine the details. Ministers said panel members and a chairman would be appointed in due course.

line

May 2015 - Susan O'Brien appointed

Leading QC Susan O'Brien was appointed to chair the inquiry, which will have statutory powers to compel witnesses to give evidence.

The new head said she would give full details of how the inquiry would operate once panel members had been appointed by the Scottish government.

She added at the time: "It would be helpful if all other interested parties made themselves known to the inquiry now, so that their views can also be taken into account."

line

01 October 2015 - Abuse inquiry formally set up

The inquiry formally begins its work to investigate allegations of child abuse at Scottish institutions.

line

22 February 2016 - Susan O'Brien QC makes comments

During a training session attended by 10 inquiry team members, she appeared to make light of the abuse suffered by an individual at a boarding school.

line

09 May 2016 - Scottish government informed of concerns

Psychologist Claire Fyvie, who attended training session, emails government to say that she has concerns about comments made by Ms O'Brien.

line

10 May 2016 - Susan O'Brien rejects criticism

The chair, other panel members and senior counsel to the inquiry, reject characterisation of Ms O'Brien as a "person whose attitudes, values and beliefs are incompatible with the post of chair of a public inquiry into child abuse".

line

16 May 2016 - Susan O'Brien asked to resign

The chair is asked to resign by Scottish government officials on the basis of the letter of complaint. She refuses.

line

20 May 2016 - Proceedings to remove Susan O'Brien begin

Susan O'Brien advised that Scottish ministers are "initiating proceedings" against her under reference section 12 of the Public Inquiries Act 2005.

line

25 May 2016 - Second panel member Michael Lamb supports Susan O'Brien

Prof Michael Lamb writes to John Swinney backing Susan O'Brien and says section 12 proceedings seem to be "predicated on the assumption that Scottish ministers, rather than the panel, should control the inquiry".

line

30 May 2016 - Third panel member Glenn Houston supports Susan O'Brien

John Swinney receives a letter from another panel member of the inquiry giving his support to Susan O'Brien. Mr Houston warns that there would be a "significant risk of loss of public trust and confidence in the integrity of the inquiry should the chair be removed from office".

line

31 May 2016 - John Swinney meets Lamb and Houston

Glenn Houston and Prof Michael Lamb meet with the deputy first minister. Prof Lamb warns that he will resign if Mr Swinney moves to dismiss Ms O'Brien.

line

22 June 2016 - Susan O'Brien meets John Swinney

Ms O'Brien insists that she does not underestimate the gravity of child abuse. The QC also states that the legal basis for the section 12 proceedings are "fundamentally flawed".

line

27 June 2016 - Prof Michael Lamb resigns

Prof Lamb writes to John Swinney resigning as one of three panel members in the child abuse inquiry, saying it is "doomed" by government interference.

line

30 June 2016 - Nicola Sturgeon rejects accusation of interference

The first minister stands up at Holyrood and says ministers do not accept Prof Lamb's claims about the independence of the inquiry.

line

4 July 2016 - Susan O'Brien QC resigns

The chairwoman of the inquiry writes to ministers tendering her resignation from the position with immediate effect.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18106357 (082345ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Ex-chief prosecutor Lord Hardie ‘should have told police about sex abuse’

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>>126217

https://twitter.com/AdvocateHalley

1.

AuldAussie

@AuldAussie

·

Aug 6, 2022

Replying to @AdvocateHalley @BBCandrewpicken and @STVNews

Prof Lamb is a respected academic. The public should know the truth. Having followed the Australia Royal Commission and the Scottish Inquiry. Scottish Inquiry is political and corrupted in my view. Only politically weak get investigated. The Crown Office should be investigated.

John responded to the above tweet. The guy is absolutely correct, the Crown Office should be investigated. The whole system needs investigated. The public don't know the truth because everything is covered up from above. The chair of the SCAI tried to cover it up using her position on a supposedly "public" inquiry to block John's pursuit of justice for his sacking from the inquiry. Government secrecy is for covering up corruption. Since when did an employee get to withhold information from the employer?You're the employer, don't take this pish

Halley replied..

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 7, 2022

Prof Lamb was the only world authority figure ever associated with @scai

. Yet @NicolaSturgeon

simply swept away his concerns in a blatant pack of lies to parliament. Ask her civil servants,Donald Henderson, Andrea Summers and Julie-Anne Jamieson. Liars, one and all.

4 liars in total including Sturgeon...all of them blackening the name of Prof Lamb who John describes as "the only world authority figure ever associated with @scai"

He is later in the short thread corrected by his new auld pal from Austrailia who gives him the correct twitter handle for the SCAI which is, should anyone want to voice an opinion on their progress is ...... .@ScottishCAI as the correct tag.

Times article on Lord Hardie...

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ex-chief-prosecutor-lord-hardie-should-have-told-police-about-sex-abuse-mz0590j2f

Ex-chief prosecutor Lord Hardie ‘should have told police about sex abuse’

A former head of Scotland’s prosecution service who went on to become a judge has been lambasted for not speaking to the police when he learnt that a colleague had molested the two daughters of another advocate.

The girls’ mother said Lord Hardie, previously Andrew Hardie QC, should have called the police when her former husband told him John Watt had sexually abused both his daughters while they were in bed. Hardie was leader, or dean, of the Faculty of Advocates from 1994 to 1997, before becoming lord advocate in Tony Blair’s Labour government in 1997, responsible for all prosecutions in Scotland.

...

2

Lord Hardie Times article..

3

Lord Hardie times article part 2

I note from the text John wrote to accompany the link to the times story and what else is still to unfold.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 7, 2022

And much, much more...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18106525 (090013ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Ex-chief prosecutor Lord Hardie ‘should have told police about sex abuse’

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>>126219

https://twitter.com/AdvocateHalley

1

2nd Link to previously posted Times article with the following link..

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/401185/cops-quiz-fraudster-who-forged-former-lord-advocate-andrew-hardies-signature-to-buy-a-car-20-years-ago/

MYSTERY PROBE Cops again quiz fraudster who forged former Lord Advocate Andrew Hardie’s signature to buy a car 20 years ago

Jamie Coltart questioned two decades after twice using the lawman's chequebook to pay £325 for the motor

BY DOUGLAS WALKER

8 Jan 2017

COPS have again quizzed a fraudster who forged a top judge’s signature to buy a car 20 years ago.

Jamie Coltart was questioned by detectives as part of a mystery probe two decades after twice using former Lord Advocate Andrew Hardie’s chequebook to pay £325 for the motor.

A police source said yesterday: “Numerous interviews have been conducted at various police stations including Linlithgow.

They added: “It’s all part of an ongoing inquiry.”

Coltart was 16 and living in a children’s home at the time of the fraud in May 1996.

He used the cheques to buy a car from James Hawthorn in North Berwick, East Lothian.

The crime came to light when cops in England needed to trace the motor’s owner and discovered dodgy cheques had bought it.

A court heard Lord Hardie — then Dean of the Faculty of Advocates — had never met Coltart or knew who he was.

He also said he hadn’t realised his cheques or card were missing.

Coltart claimed he got them from a mystery pal and denied faking the signature twice.

He changed his plea to guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in February 1997. But the fraudster dodged being jailed or fined by Sheriff Andrew Bell.

The Crown also accepted his denial to using Lord Hardie’s Visa card to buy £200 worth of goods from petrol stations.

Coltart’s lawyer Alex Lafferty said in court: “He is remorseful.”

Lord Hardie was due to be called as a witness but was not needed. He later said: “I understand it’s a guilty plea. I have no further comment.”

Lord Hardie, 70, was Scotland’s top law officer from 1997 to 2000.

The life peer from Edinburgh — known as Baron Hardie of Blackford — has been married to Catherine for 45 years. The couple have three children.

Police last night refused to discuss the current inquiry. They said: “This is not something we will be commenting on.”

Both Lord Hardie and Coltart declined to comment.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18107149 (090155ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Ex-chief prosecutor Lord Hardie ‘should have told police about sex abuse’

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>>126220

1.

1st screenshot from above post with following tweet...

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 7, 2022

Look at this. @Unite4_change

is clearly saying that covering up of child sexual abuse allegations, and associated corruption, is ok by SG and Scottish institutions because its on a smaller scale that at Westminster. Unacceptable. Corrupt4_change.

2

Full exchange with @Unite4_change

In retort to this narcissistic prick who clearly feels he has a "more educated and ... more developed political consciousness." he replies...

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

Replying to

@Unite4_change

and

@SCAI

Bullshit. There would be less corruption is those at the top were required to be less corrupt.

Yes John, but if you extrapolate on that thought ... wouldn't there be "less corruption" if there wasmore punishment?

Think of how many people these miserable cunts have sentenced over their life times? Could some of them be overturned now? I don't know, but would assume a good possibility.

3

I'd have loved to have read the Times article referred to at the top, unfortunately it is not obtainable now.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

The First Minister @NicolaSturgeon

told lies to the Scottish Parliament.

Nicola Sturgeon seems to lie every time she opens her mouth John.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

Why would SG want to undermine an independent child abuse inquiry? Well, recent news stories might provide some explanation of the apparent desire to cover up. Shame on the Scottish Government.

Yes they do.There must be plenty of them with things to hide. The whole system is a festering sore.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

Many, many questions to be asked about this. The Lord President of the Court of Session, the Lord Advocate (x2, Wolffe, QC, and Bain, QC), and the Dean of Faculty (x2, Jackson, QC, and Dunlop, QC), have had my Note for SCAI dated 1 April 2019, for in excess of three years each.*(see 4 for full thread)

4

https://twitter.com/AdvocateHalley/status/1556374159806144519

*

Yes it seems the dam is breaking with regard to Hardie.

The stories about Hardy are hitting the headlines the week in between the guilty verdict of John Watt QC and his sentencing to 10 years 2 weeks later on just this very day August 8th 2022.

I had posted the story of John Watt several times on earlier boards and as soon as it went up the boards filled up with shite/spam. I posted it on the Scottish midnight riders board after a couple of failures...eventually got them on later board.

5

In reply to his earlier tweet ...

Scotland's First Minister @nicolasturgeon

lied to the Scottish Parliament.She knew that Scottish Government civil servants Donald Henderson, Julie-Anne Jamieson and Andrea Summers had been undermining the SCAI:

with the following link...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36650261

Panel member quits 'doomed' Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18116908 (101657ZJAN23) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been warned Scotland could hide similar "problems" to the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal

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>>126213

>>126214

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-child-abuse-inquiry-warned-28721801

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry warned Scotland may have a 'problem' similar to the scale of Rotherham scandal

Exclusive: A detailed legal note to the inquiry explains that exploitation of young people in care in Scotland could be similar to what happened to the Rotherham scandal and the inquiry should try to find Scottish survivors.

News

ByJohn Glover

8 JAN 2023

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been warned Scotland could hide similar "problems" to the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal. It heard it would be "delusional" to think it did not "occur in Scotland" with the scale being unknown.

The comments were made by advocate and part-time sheriff John Halley, whho was appointed as a lead junior counsel to the public inquiry in 2015 by "Ministerial determination". He says his remit included the investigation of "child trafficking through prostitution of children in care in Scotland".

Mr Halley then battled cancer for several years before handing a detailed legal "note" to chair Lady Smith on April 1, 2019.

The Scottish Daily Express has seen his bombshell document, which we revealed earlier claimed the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry had 'ignored' evidence of an establishment paedophile ring operating in the 1990s.

In the note, Mr Halley calls on the inquiry to use its resources to call for a report into the scale of child trafficking by prostitution in Scotland as there has been "virtually no work done" that he was aware of to gather and assess meaningful data in relation to prostitution, or trafficking, of girls and young women in care in Scotland.

He added that the Rotherham experience "ought to inform that the problem is likely to be much more prevalent for girls in care than for boys".

He adds that a survivor claims she has details of Scottish cases of child trafficking by prostitution and ends the section stating that the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry "should be anxious to investigate".

The note says: "Sexual exploitation, through prostitution and child trafficking, of children and young people in care (up to age 18) is an issue that is self-evidently at the very most serious and worrying end of the spectrum of child abuse that this Inquiry ought to be dealing with, insofar as relevant to the Terms of Reference."

A children's safeguarding review in 1997 by Roger Kent voiced "great concerns" on the issue and estimated at the time there were about 10,000 young people being cared for away from home in Scotland with 5,000 thought to be accommodated at boarding schools, 2,500 in foster care and 2,500 in residential care.

The report notes that young people in care were able to get a Saturday job or do paper rounds noting that if they needed more money to cover a drug habit or to finance themselves when they ran away, "prostitution may appear superficially to be an easy option."

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham from 1997 - 2013 stated that there "has been relatively low reporting of sexual exploitation of young males, with the exception of the police operation and a criminal conviction in 2007 of an offender who abused over 80 boys and young men".

"Over the years, this was identified at inter-agency meetings and in child sexual exploitation plans as an issue that required attention in Rotherham. That continues to be the case today," it added.

Mr Halley analysed a 1993 report written by Lord Nimmo Smith that looked into the Planet investigation and the events that followed called 'Allegations of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice'.

He wrote in the note: "It is delusional to think that such problems do not occur in Scotland. The Nimmo Smith Report, among other materials, informs that such problems do occur in Scotland. The numbers and even the scale of the problems might be different.

"The Nimmo Smith Report was commissioned for purposes other than to identify children and young people in the care system who were at risk... A similar operation has not been embarked upon, for any purposes, in relation to girls. Yet the Rotherham experience ought to inform that the problem is likely to be much more prevalent for girls in care than for boys.

"There are likely to be cases of exploitation of young people and children in care who will not themselves make applications to the SCAI.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18126150 (112229ZJAN23) Notable: Popular Glasgow McDonald's targeted by Afghan men looking to exploit children, ex-cop claims

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/popular-glasgow-mcdonalds-targeted-afghan-28909930

Popular Glasgow McDonald's targeted by Afghan men looking to exploit children, ex-cop claims

Exclusive: Police officers were asked to compile data of missing people who turned up with new items or with older men as part of the operation while looking out for any reference to the McDonald's in the Four Corners.

A popular Glasgow McDonald's was targeted by Afghan men looking to groom children, an ex-cop has claimed.

The former Police Scotland officer alleges that bobbies were told to "watch out for any reference" to the Jamaica Street McDonald's at the famous Four Corners as "intelligence from elsewhere" indicated that "males from Afghanistan" were "using it as a base" to exploit children in care.

The former cop told the Scottish Daily Express that they were based "primarily outside" and when it started to rain they would move to the Hielanman's Umbrella under Glasgow Central railway station. It is thought they would approach vulnerable-looking children with an aim of exploiting them.

The former officer was part of Operation Dash, a broader attempt to root out child sexual exploitation across the Strathclyde police area working in partnership with charity Barnardo's Scotland to gather intelligence.

Police have carried out two investigations into grooming gangs in and around Scotland's largest city, Operation Cotswold and Operation Dash.

Operation Cotswold was set up in 2011 and focused on a group of Middle Eastern asylum seekers in the north of the city. At least 26 potential victims were identified and files were sent to the procurator fiscal.

Police Scotland ended Operation Dash almost two years after it started with 27 offenders reported to the procurator fiscal. One culprit, 20-year-old Afghan asylum seeker Javaid Akhond, was jailed for six years for preying on young girls.

The officer was part of the team providing research for CID to investigate concentrating on children in care, which lasted about three or four months.

He told the Scottish Daily Express: "We concentrated on children in care. Each division had cops checking files for evidence of grooming, such as missing person reports which mentioned the missing person had returned home with new clothes, or other gifts, or any disclosures of being with older men, or being dropped off by older men.

"We found a report that mentioned a girl who had been in care, had invited some other girls from a Paisley care home to a party in Clydebank, where there were older men.

"There was no more detail than that, so we passed it on for further enquiry to the DCs who were part of the next phase, which was to make further enquiry into what we found. I did not find out what the result was.

"I also remember being told to watch out for any reference to the McDonald's in Glasgow at the junction of Argyle Street and Jamaica Street, as there was intelligence from elsewhere that males from Afghanistan were using it as a base.

"We did not find anything specific about that. The problem we ran into, was the lack of detail in the reports, which may just say 'traced in city centre', but did not say where or what the missing person was doing, or who she was with."

The information was then passed over to the CID team based out of the Baird Street police office and fed from a machine. The division would never hear back as it was "typical of CID operations". He added: "Any uniform cops brought in to assist were kept out of the loop as much as possible."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18127006 (120050ZJAN23) Notable: MSPs to get a pay rise in April it has been confirmed

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https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/23239857.msps-get-pay-rise-april-confirmed/

MSPs to get a pay rise in April it has been confirmed

10th January

MSPs are to get a pay rise, it has been confirmed.

The increase of 1.5% in April will give MSPs an extra £1000 a year, taking their annual salaries to £67,661.

Ministerial salaries will also increase by 1.5%.

READ MORE: Glasgow primary schools shut amid teacher strike

For a number of years, Scottish Government Ministers have declined to accept pay increases. 

Currently, cabinet secretaries are paid extra on top of their MSP pay.

Nicola Sturgeon, The First Minister is paid £96,567 on top of her MSP salary taking the total to £163,229.

If she takes the increase it would take her pay to £165,676.

Cabinet Secretaries are paid £50,097 on top of the MSP salary taking their total to £116,759.

If they accept the rise they will earn £118,510.

Holyrood annually increases MSP pay in accordance with the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for the average of full-time public sector workers in Scotland. 

The Scottish Parliament said this means MSPs don’t vote on their pay rate, and the increase they receive reflects public sector pay rises in Scotland.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18133173 (130023ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Hundreds of Scots demand Nicola Sturgeon resign in protest outside Holyrood

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/hundreds-scots-demand-nicola-sturgeon-28938421

Hundreds of Scots demand Nicola Sturgeon resign in protest outside Holyrood

The event, led by the Glasgow Cabbie, attracted at least 500 people as they demanded the First Minister resign and campaigned against the gender reform bill.

David Walker

12 JAN 2023

Hundreds of angry Scots made their point in a protest outside Holyrood on Thursday as they demanded that Nicola Sturgeon resign over a number of failings.

Organised by the Glasgow Cabbie, a well-known taxi driver in Scotland, two bus loads of protestors came in from Scotland's biggest city to make their feelings known.

They held up a number of placards, mostly in protest at the controversial gender reform recognition act which was passed by MSPs at the end of last year.

At least 500 people were in attendance as they drowned out a counter karaoke protest which was held by trans allies and activists to show their displeasure at the event.

The campaigning was named "Leave our women and kids alone" as it targeted both the gender reform act, and the sex surveys for kids which have been criticised due to asking leading questions about sexual activities in schools.

Stef Shaw, the Glasgow Cabbie, introduced a number of speakers who all talked about their distrust of the current Holyrood government amid a call for action.

He said: "We've had absolutely amazing support today for our campaign. I can't believe the amount of people here, you are here in your colours, suffragettes, union jacks, saltires, your posters and placards and everything else that you have brought.

"We are representing decent people of Scotland who want to crush the GRA which is appalling. This is a highly dangerous bill to both women and children. We are here to show our voice against the bill. We want the UK Government to use their powers to quash it.

"I am loving all these signs I see, the taxi for Sturgeon one, resign Sturgeon, yes please."

Other groups were also represented at the protest, including the Scottish Family Party, the Alba Party, the Women Won't Wheest movement and some Unionist Clubs of Scotland.

The Scotland Matters group also toured their van around the event as they protested against Ms Sturgeon and the SNP over their failures in Scottish Government.

Unionist protestor Niall Fraser was one of the speakers at the event as he pointed out the amount of failings the SNP have presided over, including the chaos which has engulfed the NHS in Scotland.

He said: "People are suffering deeply. A few days ago Sturgeon held a press conference because our NHS is dying right before our eyes. She doesn't care, our fellow Scots are dying needlessly due to the inaction of the people in that building {Holyrood}.

"Instead of Humza Yousaf taking responsibility, he chose to weigh up the bodies of our dead Scots and compare that to the rest of the UK."

The demonstration was peaceful with no violence or disturbances as the police watched on. There was a wall of noise coming from the protestors as they whistled, cheered and made noises with their pots and pans.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18138389 (132035ZJAN23) Notable: Anger as EU project sees Police Scotland rebrand paedophiles as 'Minor-Attracted People'

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/anger-eu-project-sees-police-28841534

Anger as EU project sees Police Scotland rebrand paedophiles as 'Minor-Attracted People'

The term – described as 'deeply disturbing' and 'baloney' – was included in the Chief Constable's year-end report as part of an EU project to tackle child abuse and exploitation

Mary Wright

George Mair

30 DEC 2022

A controversial move to label paedophiles as "Minor-Attracted People" in a top-level report has been defended by Police Scotland, with the force suggesting the EU was to blame.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone's annual year end report refers to child abusers as Minor-Attracted People (MAPs). The move comes amid wider concerns by campaigners over what they see as attempts to rebrand paedophilia as a harmless sexual preference.

A spokesman for the force stressed that MAPs is not a term they routinely use to describe child abusers and said that its use in the report had to be understood in context.

READ MORE: UN official called out for describing trans woman's harassment of a Scottish MP as 'epic'

He explained that the reference to MAPs was in relation to the force's engagement with the European Union's Horizon Europe Project – Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation.

The report states: "The project's main agenda is to develop understanding and approach to avoid the victimisation of children by engaging Minor-Attracted People (MAPs) and providing them with the necessary support, treatment and guidance to help prevent criminal activities."

A police spokesman said: "Police Scotland does not use the term Minor-Attracted Person. The reference in the Chief Constable's Assessment of Policing Performance 2021/22 was in the context of Police Scotland's engagement with the Horizon Project EU consortium to tackle Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

"The term was used in the commissioning documents for the consortium and is more commonly used on the continent. In September, Police Scotland representatives successfully lobbied for the MAP term not to be used by the consortium."

The term MAP is contentious because child abusers are trying to escape the stigma attached to paedophilia and maintain they should be regarded as a niche group alongside the LGBT community.

Kenny McAskill, the Alba Party MP for East Lothian and former SNP Justice Secretary, said any use of euphemisms in relation to child sex abusers was "baloney".

He said: "Spouting these euphemisms simply masks the reality and their danger.

"I very much welcome the common sense approach from Police Scotland, though even in commissioning documents these euphemisms should be avoided as they mask the reality and hide the horror. The term in whatever context is baloney."

'Most Scots will find this deeply disturbing and wrong'

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18181643 (201743ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Now Nicola Sturgeon's SNP plans to ask SEVEN-year-olds if they are 'male, female, non-binary, transgender or other' in school survey branded 'disgraceful' and 'indoctrination'

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11656145/Nicola-Sturgeons-SNP-plans-ask-children-male-female-transgender-survey.html

Now Nicola Sturgeon's SNP plans to ask SEVEN-year-olds if they are 'male, female, non-binary, transgender or other' in school survey branded 'disgraceful' and 'indoctrination'

A school survey in Scotland will ask seven-year-olds about their gender identity

SNP and Lib Dem-run Aberdeen City Council organised the survey for 59 schools

The gender options are: 'Male, Female, Non-binary, Transgender or Other' 

By Michael Blackley For The Scottish Daily Mail

20 January 2023

Pupils as young as seven are being asked if they identify as transgender or non-binary in a 'disgraceful' school survey.

Primary school children taking part in the sex and wellbeing study are told an answer to the question is 'required' to move on to the next page of the survey.

The pupils – who can select either 'male, female, non-binary, transgender or other' – are not required to have a parent present.

Furious parents last night hit out at the 'indoctrination' of young children who do not know 'if they want chicken nuggets or fish fingers for dinner'.

It comes days after Green MSP Maggie Chapman opened the door to children as young as eight being able to change gender.

The survey has been introduced by Aberdeen City Council – led by an SNP and Liberal Democrat coalition – to its 59 schools.

Douglas Lumsden, Tory MSP for North East Scotland and a former co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, said: 'It is disgraceful that the council are forcing children as young as seven to answer questions about their gender.

'We have heard from Maggie Chapman just this week that she would like children as young as eight to be able to change gender.

'These snooping questions from the council seem to be following the same agenda.'

The survey tells pupils it will ask questions about physical wellbeing 'and a small section on your relationships with others and the choices that you make'. It is the first local authority known to be asking the gender question of its P4 children.

The Scottish Government introduced a 'health and wellbeing' survey which has provoked outrage among many parents.

It has been branded 'creepy' and 'intrusive' following concerns about questions that senior pupils in secondary schools were asked.

Under the Government guidance, all pupils from P5 to S6 will be quizzed about issues including school, health, wellbeing, physical activity, sleep patterns, social media, body image and bullying in a 20 to 40-minute online survey to be completed in class.

Those in S2 and above will also be questioned about alcohol and tobacco, while pupils in S4 and above will be asked questions about relationships and sexual health.

These questions have caused controversy because they ask about experience of specific sexual acts.

n the Aberdeen survey, primary school pupils aged from seven to nine are being asked about their gender

Jo Bisset, organiser for the UFTScotland parents' group, said: 'What we are seeing is a huge growth in gender dysphoria among young people. It can look like it is being encouraged and I think the fact that schools transition children without their parents' knowledge is something our members find very disturbing.

'Outside of incredibly exceptional circumstances, parents are the right people to speak to children about these things. This idea that virtual strangers should be enabling transition is very worrying.

'It could easily be the case that parents have no idea about any of these issues and it is hidden from them.

'A seven to nine-year-old child doesn't know if they want chicken nuggets or fish fingers for dinner, and that is how it should be. They shouldn't be worrying about this sort of thing.

'It is indoctrination by adults looking to pursue their own ideology and impress it on children.'

...

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18202245 (231341ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Crown Office investigating legal figures accused of historic child abuse linked to Operation Planet scandal

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/crown-office-investigating-legal-figures-29024149

Crown Office investigating legal figures accused of historic child abuse linked to Operation Planet scandal

Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay has asked for more details after Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC revealed that 'investigations are ongoing'

ByJohn GloverTrainee reporter

23 JAN 2023

Senior members of the legal establishment linked to trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse of children in care are being investigated in Scotland.

Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay was told about the probe last year through a disclosure by Ruth Charteris KC, the solicitor-general for the SNP Government.

Four years ago part-time sheriff and advocate John Halley raised concerns about historic allegations involving senior Scottish legal figures in a bombshell Note to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

The Scottish Daily Express revealed exclusive details of Mr Halley's Note in December, which included well-founded claims of an establishment paedophile ring operating in the 1990s.

At the time, he says he was told that he had strayed beyond the bounds of his remit and claimed there was "no excuse" for choosing not to investigate the allegations. Now, however, it appears that an investigation IS taking place.

Mr Findlay said: "I was surprised to be told by the solicitor-general that some form of investigation is apparently taking place. This has only now been disclosed, four years after Mr Halley submitted his important and concerning note.

"However, [the solicitor general's] response raises far more questions than answers, which is why I've asked John Swinney for a full explanation about what exactly is going on."

The Conservative MSP tabled questions in parliament amid concerns about the apparent failure to act on Mr Halley's note. The solicitor-general responded that it would be "inappropriate to comment" as "investigations into this matter are ongoing".

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18202319 (231405ZJAN23) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / Aug 8, 2022 I am truly surprised tonight. My twitter account has come under attack by multiple, apparently bot, accounts expressing support for @NicolaSturgeon

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I've found a bit of time to go back to review the twitter account of John Halley @AdvocateHalley and find myself unable on a suspended account to go beyone his August 8th tweets which is handy as that is the day that John Watt QC was jailed for 10 years for the abuse of children.

Probably worth noting I've scrolled all the way back as far as I can and working myself back from the past in the direction of the present.

1.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

I am truly surprised tonight. My twitter account has come under attack by multiple, apparently bot, accounts expressing support for @NicolaSturgeon

’s right to tweet in a personal capacity. My response: real victims real crimes. Don’t cover up child sexual abuse allegations

I posted the article that day of John Watt QC being jailed for 10 years here on an earlier board…well I tried to….the boards went haywire as they did 2 weeks previous when I posted on his guilty verdict.

Perhaps some of those tweeting at John are sympathectic to the SNP's creepy interest in the sexualising of other people's children? Not saying they are of course but that there's a possibility of it.

>>126231

>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11656145/Nicola-Sturgeons-SNP-plans-ask-children-male-female-transgender-survey.html

>

>Now Nicola Sturgeon's SNP plans to ask SEVEN-year-olds if they are 'male, female, non-binary, transgender or other' in school survey branded 'disgraceful' and 'indoctrination'

2.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

@JohnSwinney

initiated procedures to have Susan O'Brien QC removed as Chair of SCAI. No such procedures initiated for another Inquiry Chair interviewed under caution re allegations of child sexual abuse. Please confirm this is factually correct @JohnSwinney

.

Quote Tweet

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

@NicolaSturgeon @AuldAussie @ladymcbeth2

The treatment of Susan O'Brien QC, SCAI Chair in 2016, is nothing short of a public disgrace when compared with that of another Inquiry Chair, interviewed by police under caution re allegations of child sexual offences, and still in place twitter.com/AdvocateHalley…

3.

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

@JohnSwinney

initiated procedures to have Susan O'Brien QC removed as Chair of SCAI. No such procedures initiated for another Inquiry Chair interviewed under caution re allegations of child sexual abuse. Please confirm this is factually correct @JohnSwinney

.

Quote Tweet

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 8, 2022

@NicolaSturgeon @AuldAussie @ladymcbeth2

The treatment of Susan O'Brien QC, SCAI Chair in 2016, is nothing short of a public disgrace when compared with that of another Inquiry Chair, interviewed by police under caution re allegations of child sexual offences, and still in place twitter.com/AdvocateHalley…

Louise Slorance

@LouiseSlorance

·

Aug 8, 2022

Replying to

@AdvocateHalley

and

@JohnSwinney

Is that a case of not what you know but who you know?

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

Replying to

@LouiseSlorance

and

@JohnSwinney

Appears to be an inconsistent approach to apparent reasons for justifying removal of public inquiry chairs. The inference you draw seems a reasonable one to me Louise.

9:20 PM · Aug 8, 2022

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18206079 (240026ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Met Police chief inspector found dead at home was facing charges over child abuse images

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https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1722089/Met-police-chief-inspector-richard-watkinson-dead-child-abuse-latest

Met Police chief inspector found dead at home was facing charges over child abuse images

The body of Met Police Chief Inspector Richard Watkinson was discovered by colleagues who had gone to his property because they were concerned about his welfare.

By Robert Fisk

Jan 17, 2023

A top police officer has been found dead at his home after failing to attend a police station to be charged over possessing child abuse images.

The body of Met Police chief inspector Richard Watkinson was discovered by colleagues who had gone to his address because they were concerned about his welfare.

The Sun reports when officers arrived at the 49-year-old's house they found a body.

Police are said to be treating his death as "unexplained", but not suspicious. A source told The Sun it is suspected Watkinson was involving in his death while under "huge mental strain" due to the case.

Toxicology tests are being carried out to establish his cause of death. The coroner has been informed and an inquest will take place at a later date.

It is believed that Watkinson was due to report back on bail last Thursday to be charged over an alleged network of online paedophiles.

He is said to have feared he was about to be publicly named in connection with the alleged conspiracy to distribute indecent images of children.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Met officers attended an address in Buckinghamshire on the afternoon of Thursday, 12 January following welfare concerns and found the body of a man in his 40s’.”

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Officers were called to Saunderton, Princes Risborough, at just after 3.35pm on Thursday 12 January.

"Sadly, the body of a man was located inside a property at that location. The man’s death is unexplained but not suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner.

"His next of kin have been made aware and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends."

Watkinson was first arrested in July 2021 when it is alleged that up to thousands of indecent images were allegedly discovered in a secret room at his home.

His arrest stunned his colleagues, as he was a popular figure and was nicknamed "Sir Smashy" after a Harry Enfield character by lower ranking officers on the Met’s West Area Basic Command Unit where he worked.

He was originally held over allegations of misconduct in public office, sending obscene messages, corrupt exercise of police powers and data protection breaches.

It followed a joint investigation by the Met's professional standards unit and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Met’s professional standards unit.

When officers searched the suspect’s home, they are said to have found a secret trap-door which led to an area containing computer equipment.

It is alleged child sexual abuse images were found on the computers, and the material was judged to be category the two most serious levels.

After the alleged discovery of the illegal material, Chief Inspector Watkinson was further arrested 11 days later.

His arrest was on suspicion of several offences, including conspiracy to distribute indecent images of children, voyeurism and misconduct in public office.

He was released on bail and suspended from duties while an investigation was carried out by the Met’s specialist crime officers working with officers in Scotland and Lincolnshire.

Last week, officers charged two men with conspiracy to distribute or show indecent images of children. They are due to appear in court shortly.

One former colleague said: “He was a popular governor and his arrest caused a great deal of shock.

“There was talk of thousands of images and videos being found behind a trap door in his home.

“He had been under huge mental strain while he was on bail and there were concerns that he was suicidal.

“The worst fears for his health have now been realised and he was found dead last week. It is suspected he killed himself.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18206267 (240050ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Rapist PC Carrick is just tip of the iceberg as police whistleblower says 'this is huge'

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>>126237

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1724489/met-police-carrick-rapist-latest

Rapist PC Carrick is just tip of the iceberg as police whistleblower says 'this is huge'

Police forces must be braced for more scandals because things will "get a lot worse before they get better", a senior political insider has warned.

By David Williamson -  Jon Austin

Rapist PC Carrick is just tip of the iceberg as police whistleblower says 'this is huge'

Police forces must be braced for more scandals because things will "get a lot worse before they get better", a senior political insider has warned.

By David Williamson - Sunday Express Political Editor, Jon Austin - Sunday Express Crime Editor

20:00, Sat, Jan 21, 2023 | UPDATED: 20:24, Sat, Jan 21, 2023

The unmasking of a serial rapist serving in an elite Met unit may only be the “tip of the iceberg”, with the corruption threatening to seriously undermine faith in the police, they said.

Senior MPs fear that confidence has been so badly undermined that a Royal Commission – a major public inquiry – may be the only way of restoring trust.

Failure to do so could lead to “a disregard of the rule of law”.

PC David Carrick was last week revealed to be a prolific sex offender who abused his role in the police to terrify his victims. He faces a lengthy jail term after admitting dozens of rape and sexual offences against 12 women over 17 years. He will be sentenced next month.

His conviction follows the case of Sarah Everard, 33, who was snatched off the street, raped and murdered by another serving Met officer.

A whistle-blower who previously worked at the same unit as Carrick has described a macho culture of “toxic masculinity”.

Dave Eden, who was in the Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) said: “You have to ask about the psychology of somebody that wants to swan around in body armour carrying MP5 submachine guns. It’s about image, portraying the hard macho man, picking up women.”

He claimed the unit harboured some “predatory officers” for years, but nothing was done to root them out. Among the behaviour Mr Eden describes are:

● Officers watching pornography on late shifts;

● Prolific and predatory behaviour including patrolling outside Soho nightclubs to pick up women;

● Targeting tourists as they were likely to have left the country before questions could be raised;

● Using police-issue guns to lure impressionable young women into bed.

The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating about 1,000 sexual and domestic abuse allegations that involve complaints against around 800 officers.

Greater Manchester Police has also revealed it had six misconduct cases involving police officers or employees found guilty of sexual offences, or those involving inappropriate relationships with victims of crime, in just three months from October to December, and a further 26 misconduct cases concerning corruption, drugs and violence.

Speaking of the scandals, a senior government source said: “This is huge. I think we are going to discover a hell of a lot more. It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.”

Just two days ago, a former officer who abused his role to start relationships with vulnerable women was jailed for two years and eight months. Rhett Wilson, 27, who had served with West Mercia Police, admitted three corruption offences at Worcester Crown Court.

There are fears that public confidence in the police could be shattered if forces cannot root out their abusers.

Mr Eden claims a “toxic canteen culture” of watching porn on night shifts and using guns to impress women went largely unchallenged among some officers within the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Command predecessor more than 25 years ago.

Mr Eden, who spent seven years with the unit until 1995, claims that this culture, which may have attracted and even enabled predators like Carrick, was entrenched years ago.

He said: “That culture went unchallenged, and if it was, the officer was bullied and forced out. We used to sit and watch porn on night duty on satellite TV, or somebody would bring a porn movie in.”

He left the force as a sergeant in 2010 and has remained in contact with former and current officers via messaging platforms.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18206281 (240052ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Rapist PC Carrick is just tip of the iceberg as police whistleblower says 'this is huge'

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>>126237

>>126238

...continued...

He described seeing a sexist and racist culture evolve, from police noticeboards in the early days to private groups on encrypted messaging apps. Last year Mr Eden blew the whistle over alleged racist content on a WhatsApp group of former DPG colleagues.

A man was suspended and arrested on suspicion of offences under the Communications Act and misconduct in a public office and remains on police bail.

The suspect had served on the DPG with Mr Eden, who says that after he blew the whistle, new Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley arranged to meet him. The meeting was later cancelled.

The source pushed for major reform so that officers who are a danger to the public are identified and removed. A key priority is overhauling reporting systems and ensuring that senior officers can be trusted by juniors.

“They have got to have seniors they can trust and not seniors who are part of the problem and in collusion,” they said.

They insisted this was about much more than changing the “culture” of policing, saying: “It is much more endemic. It is institutional and it is structural.”

Warning of the consequences if public trust in policing collapses, the senior political source said: “I think we’ll have a disregard of the rule of law.”

The source stressed that problems are not limited to London but exist across the country.

“This is like a big fat onion,” they said. “You are peeling back various layers.

“You are discovering all sorts of things. Some layers are going to make us really weep and really cry a lot, and it’s those layers we have to tackle.”

A leading women’s charity has also demanded robust action.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Sorry is not an acceptable response to the women whose lives have been ruined by Carrick, nor is it enough for the thousands more women and girls who have lost all confidence and trust in the Met Police.

“Apologies and assurances are meaningless unless they are backed up by robust and measurable actions which tackle the deep-seated misogyny that has been allowed to fester within the Met Police for far too long.”

Jan 21, 2023

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18226034 (260009ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Over 600 veterans homeless in SNP Scotland as Shona Robison urged to declare national emergency

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/over-600-veterans-homeless-snp-29041643

Over 600 veterans homeless in SNP Scotland as Shona Robison urged to declare national emergency

Nicola Sturgeon has been told the buck stops with her government as 47,000 Scots find themselves homeless with a further 21,000 living in temporary accommodation

By Douglas Dickie

25 JAN 2023

The SNP/Green government has been accused of “presiding over a national housing crisis” with thousands of people either homeless or in temporary accommodation. The Scottish Conservatives will use their party-business slot at Holyrood on Wednesday to shine a light on the "perfect storm" while calling on housing minister Shona Robsion to declare a national emergency.

It comes as Scottish Government figures confirmed there are almost 47,000 homeless people in Scotland - including over 600 armed forces veterans - and 21,000 households in temporary accommodation. The Tories say their own research has identified 330,000 Scots on social housing waiting lists.

Shadow housing secretary Miles Briggs MSP will lead twin debates in parliament – the first, on rising rates of homelessness, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups affected. The second will be on ministers’ failure to reach housebuilding targets and the impact of budget cuts and rent controls.

Mr Briggs says he is particularly concerned that almost a third of homeless Scots and those on waiting lists are children, while other vulnerable groups such, as disabled people and service veterans, are badly affected. He will also focus on the SNP’s failure to meet its target to build 50,000 affordable homes on time, a "huge" £170 million cash cut in the 2023-24 housing budget and the effect of the rent freeze and evictions ban on private housebuilding.

The Lothian MSP said focus on housing had "gone under the radar" while the health crisis raged but SNP mismanagement had created a "perfect storm". He added: "It’s completely unacceptable that there are 47,000 people currently registered as homeless, and a third of a million Scots on social housing waiting lists, including close to 100,000 children and more than 24,000 disabled people.

"There are also more than 600 armed service veterans registered as homeless, something which should embarrass us as a nation. The buck stops with Nicola Sturgeon’s government for this crisis. They have failed to meet their own housebuilding targets and there’s little hope of the situation improving when John Swinney’s most recent budget outlined a swingeing £170m cut in the housing budget – and that’s in cash, not real, terms.

"On top of that, we’ve had the SNP-Green rent freeze and eviction ban, which has been counter-productive and damaging for tenants – as we warned it would be – by reducing private rental stock and leading to housing developments being paused or shelved."

Housing charity Shelter has already called on Nicola Sturgeon to "spearhead an urgent Scottish Housing Emergency Action Plan to protect households in Scotland from homelessness". They say that the plan must aim to reduce affordable housing need by 2026.

A Scottish Government spokesman claimed the country has "led the way in delivering affordable housing across the UK". He added: "The number of households in temporary accommodation is too high and we are firmly committed to reducing it.

"Local authorities are making encouraging progress with the implementation of their Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans, and the Housing Secretary has commissioned an action plan from experts in the sector to reduce the numbers of people and time spend in temporary accommodation.

"Our £752 million 2023-24 budget will be supplemented by contributions from the Heat in Buildings Fund and Charitable Bond Programme donations directed towards investment in social rented homes. We remain committed to making over £3.5 billion available for affordable housing over the current parliamentary session as part of our ambitious plans to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18239986 (280215ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Met Police says two to three officers will face charges every week for months (video)

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>>126238

>>126237

https://news.sky.com/story/met-police-says-two-to-three-officers-will-face-charges-every-week-for-months-12795025

Met Police says two to three officers will face charges every week for months

Sir Mark Rowley was speaking at the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee.

By Niamh Lynch,

Wednesday 25 January 2023

Two to three criminal cases against officers are expected to go to court every week in the coming months, the Met Police commissioner has revealed.

The criminal cases are a "mix of dishonesty, violence and violence against women and girls", Sir Mark Rowley said.

He also apologised to the victims of former officer David Carrick and said the public should "prepare for more painful stories as we confront cases that… corrupt our integrity".

Speaking at a meeting of the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee, Sir Mark said the force had not "applied the same level of ruthlessness" to upholding its integrity as it applied to fighting crime.

He also said that the Met will "probably find many cases where we got it wrong" in their review of around 1,000 allegations relating to officers and staff historically accused of sexual offences and domestic abuse.

Referring to the "ghastly case" of Carrick, he said: "We're all equally horrified we have hundreds in policing who shouldn't be here, Carrick is an awful example of that."

He offered "sincere apologies to victims for our failings, he should not have been a police officer - that's obvious".

Sir Mark also apologised to "women across London who feel let down and whose trust in policing has been let down".

"We must improve dramatically for London. Lifting the stone and revealing painful truths will not be resolved overnight".

"It will be painful. We need your support and the support of the people of London… as we rid the organisation of those who corrupt our integrity," he said.

In the wake of Carrick's conviction, around 1,000 previous cases involving Met officers and staff who were accused of sexual offences or domestic violence are being reviewed to make sure they were handled correctly.

Sir Mark said he was "moving heaven and earth" to finish the review by March when its findings will be reported.

Carrick, one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders, admitted 49 criminal charges including 24 counts of rape for crimes committed over an 18-year period.

The charges relate to the rape of nine different women, but some are multiple incident counts, meaning they cover more than 80 sexual offences, including at least 48 rapes.

The commissioner also apologised for the Met's failings in the case of PC Hussain Chehab, 22, who pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 as well as three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

PC Chehab's case is one of several that have emerged in recent weeks that called the Met's vetting and complaints processes into question.

Two retired Met officers were charged last week with offences related to the possession of images showing child sex abuse.

The charges were part of an investigation into a serving chief inspector who was found dead before he was charged.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18245339 (290129ZJAN23) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / Crown Office has NOT contacted John Halley about Operation Planet paedophile ring claims despite new investigation

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>>126233

>>126222

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/crown-office-not-contacted-john-29036972

Crown Office has NOT contacted John Halley about Operation Planet paedophile ring claims despite new investigation

EXCLUSIVE: Ruth Charteris KC revealed that an investigation was underway into the 'serious allegations' contained in Mr Halley's bombshell Note to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry – but nobody has spoken to him directly

ByJohn Glover

24 JAN 2023

Prosecutors have not contacted crusading advocate John Halley about his Note including allegations of an establishment paedophile ring, despite the Solicitor-General revealing an investigation is underway.

The part-time sheriff raised concerns about historic allegations of child trafficking of children in care involving senior Scottish legal figures in the Note, which was submitted to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, the Crown Office and directly to the Lord President, nearly four years ago.

When Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay asked about the apparent failure to act at the Scottish Parliament last year, he was told by Ruth Charteris KC that it would be "inappropriate to comment" as "investigations into this matter are ongoing".

Mr Findlay has since written to Deputy First Minister John Swinney asking for details of the investigation to be released to the public.

However, Mr Halley confirmed to the Scottish Daily Express: "They've [Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service] never been in contact."

The Note was submitted to Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry April 1, 2019; to the Crown Office on May 3, 2019; and to the Lord President July 30, 2019.

Following a story about the Solicitor-General's statement in the Sunday Times, Mr Halley tweeted: "I doubt whether this is the candid truth from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. No authority has contacted me in relation to my Note or its contents since submitted and reported in April-June 2019".

Louise Slorance, a widow whose late husband worked in a senior Scottish Government communications role before his avoidable death at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, responded: "Just media lines."

The Scottish Daily Express revealed exclusive details of Mr Halley's Note in December, which included well-founded claims of an establishment paedophile ring operating in the 1990s.

In 2019, he says says he was told that he had strayed beyond the bounds of his remit and included material he "ought not to have been working on".

His Note included details about the Operation Planet and Magic Circle scandals of the 1990s, when senior legal figures were accused of using children in care as 'rent boys'.

The police investigation began after a 16-year-old boy was drugged and repeatedly raped over a period of 10 days at a flat in central Edinburgh owned by Tam Paton, the convicted paedophile and former manager of the Bay City Rollers.

It led to claims of an establishment abuse ring that is said to have operated over several decades and to have included, at one time or another, well-known TV personalities, judges, lawyers and senior police officers.

The investigation initially resulted in 57 charges against 10 men, later reduced to 10 charges against five men whose not guilty pleas were accepted by a court in February 1991.

Last month, an associate of Paton, John 'Sticky' Wilson, 81, was jailed for 12 years at the High Court in Edinburgh, for sexual offences spanning more than half a century. A BBC Disclosure documentary about Operation Planet and the Magic Circle will be broadcast next month.

A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal spokesman said: "It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing investigations and there is nothing we can add to the answers given to the Scottish Parliament."

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18255964 (302317ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Police open inquiry into claims of child abuse by lawyers

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>>126244

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-open-inquiry-into-claims-of-child-abuse-by-lawyers-m6xcnb3lf

Mark Macaskill and Marcello Mega

Sunday January 29 2023,

The Sunday Times (most likely Scottish editiion)

Police open inquiry into claims of child abuse by lawyers

Officers are investigating historic claims against legal figures

Officers from Police Scotland’s major investigations unit have been instructed to look into claims that senior members of the legal establishment were linked to the sexual exploitation, trafficking and abuse of children.

The Sunday Times understands that at the request of the Crown Office, police have begun their inquiries and will shortly take evidence from John Halley, an advocate who detailed concerns about historical sex abuse against children in a dossier sent to prosecutors in 2019.

Halley was visited by officers on Thursday morning and expects to provide a witness statement this week.

As this newspaper reported last week, Conservative MSP Russell Findlay tabled questions in parliament last month amid concern that senior figures in the government and judiciary had failed to act on Halley’s 43-page note.

The senior lawyer John Watt was jailed for ten years last summer for historical sex abuse against children. At the time, Susie Henderson, one of his victims, claimed that another man who abused her remained in an influential position.

Police opened an investigation into Watt after Henderson made allegations against several lawyers.

She said that her father, Robert Henderson QC, had repeatedly sexually abused her.

She made similar claims about several of his friends and colleagues, including former solicitor general for Scotland, Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, the late Conservative MP.

As a result of an investigation, Watt, 72, was extradited to Scotland from the US in 2020. He was convicted in July 2022 of raping Henderson and abusing two other girls and a boy in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of his victims had relatives who were also legal figures.

Halley was appointed as a lead junior counsel to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in 2015 and maintains that his extensive research found evidence of “child trafficking through prostitution of children in care in Scotland”.

He warned that vulnerable young people in care were let down by a prosecution policy that he believes failed to prevent sexual exploitation through prostitution.

The policy, introduced in 1991, concluded that it was not in the public interest to pursue clients of male prostitutes as young as 16 who had previously engaged in homosexual acts.

Halley’s note called for deeper investigation of Tam Paton, the former Bay City Rollers manager who died in 2009.

Paton owned an Edinburgh flat where a 16-year-old boy from a care home was held over ten days, drugged and raped by a number of men in the early 1990s.

It sparked a police investigation, called Operation Planet, which initially resulted in 57 charges against ten men. This was later reduced to ten charges against five men, whose not guilty pleas were accepted by a court in February 1991.

Findlay said: “This police action is welcome, but the timing is curious given that almost four years have passed since Mr Halley supplied information about alleged connections between prominent legal figures and the abuse of children in care.

“The police action comes a matter of weeks after I lodged a series of written questions asking the Scottish government what action has been taken in respect of this information. Going forward, transparency is vital.”

Police Scotland said it did not discuss details of investigations.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18256953 (310208ZJAN23) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / It is so strange how this story has not got traction. Dunlop would need significant media interest to comment. Why are people not more outraged by Hardie?

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John Halley Twitter account again.....furthest i can go back now is 11th Aug 2022......it's like trying to eat ice-cream in the Sahara before it melts.

>>126235

https://twitter.com/advocatehalley?lang=en

1.

John Halley Advocate Retweeted

AuldAussie

@AuldAussie

·

Aug 11, 2022

Replying to

@AdvocateHalley

It is so strange how this story has not got traction. Dunlop would need significant media interest to comment. Why are people not more outraged by Hardie? Why are they not asking more questions about if corruption was at work to prevent prosecution of these senior lawyers?

2.

1 - expanded

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 12, 2022

Replying to

@AuldAussie

Maybe simple. @3x1Group

?how much have they been paid?

AuldAussie

@AuldAussie

·

Aug 12, 2022

Replying to

@AdvocateHalley

and

@3x1Group

Can a PR firm stop stories getting published?

Can an FOI request be sent to the Government or the Judiciary asking the question about "PR" firms representing any of those in question?

3

John Halley Advocate Retweeted

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 12, 2022

Replying to

@AuldAussie

and

@RoddyQC

Worse, I reasonably apprehend. He has seen it and agreed it’s contents as a production before Lord Boyd. Or are the other witnesses mistaken?

4

3 expanded

5

3 expanded

https://twitter.com/AdvocateHalley/status/1558212673183023104

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18257167 (310244ZJAN23) Notable: Updated John Halley Advocate Bun / It is so strange how this story has not got traction. Dunlop would need significant media interest to comment. Why are people not more outraged by Hardie?

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>>126246

John Halley Advocate

@AdvocateHalley

·

Aug 12, 2022

Really, really important:

Quote Tweet

CIPDH-UNESCO

@cipdhunesco

·

Aug 12, 2022

Visita el sitio de 🗺️📍 #MemoriasSituadas

https://cipdh.gob.ar/memorias-situadas/

Show this thread

2

Really, really important

CIPDH-UNESCO twitter thread from John Halley 12 August 2022 expanded

3

CIPDH-UNESCO twitter thread from John Halley 12 August 2022 expanded

4

CIPDH-UNESCO twitter thread from John Halley 12 August 2022 expanded and translated.

Outwith the translation I'm thinking Clinton Foundation every time I hear Haiti mentioned these days and their ties to Laura Silsby.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-quake-haiti-missionaries-idUSTRE61503J20100206

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/02/laura_silsby_haiti_orphans_wou.html

Laura Silsby, Haiti 'Orphans' ' Would-Be Rescuer, Serial Rule Breaker

February 5, 20101

Frank James

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18259733 (311710ZJAN23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Victim of sex attack lawyer John Watt QC slams legal pals who failed to report him to cops

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>>126245

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-sex-abuse-survivor-slams-29091196

Victim of sex attack lawyer John Watt QC slams legal pals who failed to report him to cops

Mark Redwood-Thomson, 46, has bravely waived his right to anonymity to speak out about the abuse by high-flying lawyer Watt that shattered his childhood.

ByMarcello Mega

31 JAN 2023

A victim of sex attack lawyer John Watt QC has spoken out for the first time to slam legal pals who failed to report him to the police. Mark Redwood-Thomson, 46, has bravely waived his right to anonymity to speak out about the abuse by high-flying lawyer Watt that shattered his childhood.

Former prosecutor Watt was jailed for 10 years for sexually abusing four young children more than four decades ago – allegedly as part of a “magic circle” of paedohiles working in the justice system. During Watt’s trial last summer, the High Court in Glasgow heard the father of two of Watt’s victims had reported abuse to other senior lawyers some years before Mark was abused.

But the court heard that the police were never informed. Mark was raped by Watt some years later, before his 9th birthday and believes he could have escaped the abuse if the police had been alerted earlier.

He said: “It’s diabolical. It sounds like they’ve hidden it rather than taking it to the police or whatever. That is appalling. There’s no excuse for that.”

Mark was interviewed in a BBC Scotland Disclosure investigation, Beneath the Magic Circle Affair, to be broadcast tonight. It examines whether a “magic circle” of Edinburgh high-flyers were involved in a paedophile ring in the 70s and 80s.

Mark, who now lives in South Africa with his husband, has never spoken in public about his ordeal, which involved a massive breach of trust. His parents had left him with Watt while they had a weekend away as they were close to the QC and his ex-wife.

Mark says: “He raped me when I was in his care, being looked after by him. I remember it happening. I remember his words.” He goes on to say that he agonised over the incident for many years.

Mark says: “I suppose guilt is probably the first thing that you worry about. Why it was you, why it happened, was it a situation I put myself into?

“But you go back and replay things over and over and over and over again and as a kid you shouldn’t have to. You should go to bed and sleep and wake up the next day.

“He’s just a nasty, horrible man.”

Watt was convicted last year of raping Mark in the 80s, of raping Susie Henderson, 56, in the 70s, and of sexually abusing two sisters. Susie was sexually abused “from an early age” by her father, the late Robert Henderson QC.

Watt was one of many friends, most now deceased, he allowed to abuse her. Susie’s story suggests there was a paedophile ring at the heart of the legal establishment in the 70s and 80s.

She has also waived her anonymity to shed light on the case, saying of her father: “He would come home drunk and say, ‘I’m taking Susie for a nap’.”

She explained that from around seven or eight, she’d be taken to “parties” to be abused by Robert Henderson’s friends and fellow lawyers. One day, he took her to Watt’s home in Leith and told her to do as she was told. She said: “Then he raped me.”

Susie’s desire for justice started the investigation in 2014, two years after her dad’s death. She reported all her abusers to police, including Watt and another living lawyer.

The police file on the second man remains open. Watt’s appeal was dismissed this month.

Disclosure examines Watt’s connection to a scandal that shocked Scotland more than 30 years ago. The Scottish media called it the Magic Circle Affair, with senior legal and establishment figures involved in child abuse and other criminal activities.

The programme also examines Operation Planet, a Lothian and Borders Police investigation into middle-aged professional men paying underage rent boys for sex. Days before a criminal case into the abuse ring called, 47 of 57 charges were dropped, pleas to lesser charges were accepted and only one trial proceeded, ending in a not proven verdict.

Five of the nine boys who were victims in the case have died. The youngest two, aged 15 and 16 at the time, died in their 20s, one by suicide and one overdosed on drugs. Retired Detective Sergeant Charlie Orr, who worked on Operation Planet and was criticised in an official report into the affair, is visibly moved when he is shown the five death certificates in the BBC programme.

He defends himself publicly for the first time, saying: “This was youngsters being taken to locations to be abused by older men. He adds: “It’s not a career choice. It’s exploitation and abuse.”

BBC Disclosure’s Beneath The Magic Circle Affair is available on BBC iPlayer now and will be on BBC One Scotland tonight at 10.40pm.(BST)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18261843 (010039ZFEB23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / South African police arrest teacher, 83, accused of being paedophile dubbed 'Jimmy Savile Mark II' who preyed on boys at schools attended by Tony Blair and BBC presenter Nicky Campbell

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>>>/qresearch/18201962

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11692275/South-African-police-arrest-teacher-accused-preying-boys-schools-Scotland.html

South African police arrest teacher, 83, accused of being paedophile dubbed 'Jimmy Savile Mark II' who preyed on boys at schools attended by Tony Blair and BBC presenter Nicky Campbell

Former SNP leader Ian Blackford told Parliament the suspect's alias is 'Edgar'

He is suspected of molesting boys at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College

He is also accused of continuing the behaviour in a South African school

By David Averre and David Wilcock

30 January 2023

A retired teacher accused of preying on boys at two leading public schools in Scotland has been arrested in South Africa.

The 83-year-old, who was referred to as 'Edgar' by former SNP leader Ian Blackford but whose real name cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, was brought before the city's Wynberg Magistrates Court this afternoon.

He was bailed and will return to court on April 13.

Dubbed 'Jimmy Savile Mark II' by Blackford, Edgar is accused of crimes against boys at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College - the alma mater of ex-PM Tony Blair - in the 1970s. He denies the allegations.

BBC presenter Nicky Campbell, who attended the Academy in the 1970s, has led calls for him to be brought back to the UK to stand trial, with a court hearing due to take place later this year.

Edgar denies having molested pupils while teaching in Scotland, and also denied accusations of similar behaviour after moving to teach in a prestigious school in Cape Town.

He is currently subject to an order at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry preventing his identification.

But former SNP leader Blackford earlier this month used parliamentary privilege to declare his alias as 'Edgar' in the House of Commons.

In a session of Education Questions in the House of Commons on January 16, Mr Blackford told MPs: 'All of us in this house will prioritise keeping school children safe from sexual predators and I am sure the minister will be aware of the Scottish Child Abuse enquiry detailing the horrific allegations from a number of witnesses to events at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes schools by an individual referred to as Edgar.

'I have a number of constituents who have complaints against Edgar. This man has admitted to inappropriate behaviour and is currently fighting extradition from South Africa where he has been publicly named.

'There is precedence (sic) in England where another alleged abuser living in South Africa whose extradition has been sought has been publicly named.

'We now know that there are dozens of boys who have come forward to the police with allegations against the man referred to as Edgar. It is important that others who were abused by this man can come forward.

'It is right that his crimes against children are named – and it is also right that he is now named.'

Earlier this month Mr Campbell, 61, alleged he witnessed 'Edgar' abusing his friend in his school's changing rooms and described his conduct as 'so ubiquitous' that all of the pupils knew what was going on.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Campbell said: 'He could well be one of the most prolific paedophiles in British criminal history if you do the maths and look at how long he taught and how many schools he was at.'

After Campbell went public with the allegations, other former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College stepped forward with stories of abuse.

Edinburgh Academy has since issued a public apology and says it is cooperating with police.

In a statement to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Fettes College - whose alumni include former PM Tony Blair - made a 'full and unreserved apology'.

Edgar, who lives in a retirement complex in Cape Town, was arrested in South Africa in 2019 by British Police, and has a further extradition hearing set for March 17.

>>>/qresearch/18201962

Connected?

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18307372 (081640ZFEB23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Scottish police defy Nicola Sturgeon over trans self-ID law

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>>126242

>>126238

>>126237

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/07/scottish-police-defy-nicola-sturgeon-trans-self-id-law/

Scottish police defy Nicola Sturgeon over trans self-ID law

Police Scotland referred to a transgender butcher arrested in connection with the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl as a man

By Daniel Sanderson

7th February 2023

Scottish police have defied Nicola Sturgeon’s sex self-ID drive by referring to a transgender butcher arrested in connection with the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl as a man.

Andrew George Miller, known locally as Amy, was taken into police custody on Monday night after the 11-year-old girl who disappeared on Sunday, was found “safe and well” at a home in Gattonside near Galashiels after being missing for more than a day.

Police confirmed yesterday that a “53-year-old man”, understood to be Miller, had been arrested in connection with the disappearance, which caused grave concerns for the child’s welfare and led to a desperate search and rescue mission being launched.

Miller transitioned around six years ago when he changed his name to Amy and began dressing as a female, locals in the Scottish Borders said.

The decision by police to refer to the suspect as a man comes despite Ms Sturgeon’s push to change the law so that those who self-identify as a particular gender in Scotland can easily gain legal recognition in that gender.

The First Minister is embroiled in a political crisis over the unrelated case of Isla Bryson, a transgender rapist who was initially placed in a female jail, under a prison policy that follows the same principles as her self-ID law.

Ms Sturgeon has refused to state whether she believes Bryson is either a male or female. Under questioning, Ms Sturgeon has used female pronouns to refer to Bryson.

A poll has found only a third of Scots oppose the UK Government’s decision to veto the gender reforms.

The Ipsos survey found 50 per cent backed the Scottish Secretary’s move to block the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, compared to only 33 per cent who opposed it. The remaining 17 per cent did not know or did not want to say.

In a major blow to Ms Sturgeon, even 31 per cent of SNP voters said the UK Government should have blocked the legislation,

Publicly supported Ms Sturgeon

Miller maintains social media profiles as both Andrew Miller and “Amy George”. He publicly supported Ms Sturgeon’s push to make it easier for Scots to change their legal sex. After the plans were blocked by the UK Government, he warned that Westminster should “never mess with Scottish transgender issues”.

In contrast to the approach taken by the Scottish courts and Ms Sturgeon to Bryson, previously known as Adam Graham, Police Scotland yesterday used male pronouns to describe Miller.

The approach also clashes with the views of trans activists who insist it is discriminatory to refer to trans women as male.

Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly insisted that allowing male-bodied people to become legally female simply by signing a declaration poses no risk to women and girls, or single sex spaces.

However, the claims have been undermined by the case of Bryson, who Ms Sturgeon has acknowledged may be faking their trans identity.

Four days after the UK Government announced it was blocking Ms Sturgeon’s Bill, due to fears the provisions would put women and girls in danger, Miller wrote on Facebook: “But the Transgender Policy. How can Westminster decide what we have decided?” He added: “When we decide in Scotland.. It works for us in Scotland.. Simple as that.”

In another post last month, they said: “Silly Billys in Westminster... Never mess with Scottish Transgender Issues.”

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18309768 (082228ZFEB23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / BBC Disclosure: Beneath the Magic Circle Affair

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>>126248

>BBC Disclosure’s Beneath The Magic Circle Affair is available on BBC iPlayer now and will be on BBC One Scotland tonight at 10.40pm.(BST)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001htbp/disclosure-beneath-the-magic-circle-affair

After a senior Scottish lawyer is convicted on historic child abuse charges, BBC Disclosure speaks to his victims and explores how he hid his crimes for decades. Reporter Myles Bonnar also revisits a 30-year-old scandal that rocked the legal establishment. For the first time on camera, members of the police, press and judiciary look back on the so-called 'Magic Circle Affair' and its major players. We ask whether there was a dark circle of criminality operating beneath this scandal.

BBC Disclosure: Beneath the Magic Circle Affair

I've no video to post for this unless someone copies it to youtube in the future.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18320557 (101923ZFEB23) Notable: Updated Historic Abuse Bun Part One / Former SNP Minister takes dig at 'inadequate' Scottish Government as he backs inquiry into child protection

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>>>/qresearch/18245708

>>>/qresearch/18245704

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/former-snp-minister-takes-dig-29166045

Former SNP Minister takes dig at 'inadequate' Scottish Government as he backs inquiry into child protection

Fergus Ewing wants to see the Scottish Government create a new inquiry that would include widening the remit of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

By John Glover

8 FEB 2023

Former cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing has backed a petition calling for a new public inquiry into the mishandling of allegations about child protection, abuse and safeguarding as he took a dig at the SNP Government's 'inadequate' response.

The petition also called on Holyrood to "urge" the Scottish executive to extend the scope of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

The SNP MSP for Inverness and Nairn noted in the public petitions committee that there was cross-party consensus that the issue was not being "sufficiently well" dealt with, as parliamentarians have repeatedly raised individual cases of allegations around child protection failings, safeguarding and abuse.

The request calls for the Scottish Government to establish a new independent investigation to examine concerns that allegations about child protection, child abuse, child's rights and safeguarding have been mishandled by public bodies including councils and General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). It also wants to fill in gaps in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

It called on the establishment of a national whistle-blowing officer for education and children's service to handle these inquiries in future. The petitioners believe that a "separate and wider inquiry into safeguarding".

Clare Haughey, the Minister for Children and Young People, claimed the SNP Government had learned from the extant SCAI and the English inquiry into child sex abuse and the revision of the national protection guidance and felt it did not need to extend the scope of the Scottish abuse inquiry or establish a separate probe into safeguarding allegations.

Mr Ewing who was the Scottish Government's former Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Tourism took a dig at the government as he called on the committee to give the petitioners a shot to take on "Goliath".

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18339895 (131757ZFEB23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Nicola Sturgeon told to explain 'extraordinary coincidence' over Peter Murrell's £107k loan and SNP fraud probe

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>>>/qresearch/18245708

>>>126203, >>126204 Nicola Sturgeon walks away after questions on husband's £107,000 'cashflow' loan to SNP (video)

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-told-explain-extraordinary-29201250

Nicola Sturgeon told to explain 'extraordinary coincidence' over Peter Murrell's £107k loan and SNP fraud probe

It has emerged the party's chief executive - and First Minister's husband - issued the cash the day after the party's National Executive Committee met to discuss the Police Scotland investigation

By Douglas Dickie

13 FEB 2023

Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to explain an "extraordinary coincidence" relating to her husband's £107,000 loan to the S NP and the fraud investigation into a 'missing' £600,000 from the party's coffers. It has emerged Peter Murrell handed over the money the day after party bosses met to discuss the ring-fenced independence fund that has prompted a Police Scotland probe.

Mr Murrell - who is also Ms Sturgeon's husband as well as being the SNP's chief executive - loaned the cash after concerns were raised about party finances. It has now been reported that the day before he issued the interest-free loan, a meeting of the SNP's National Executive Committee was held.

During this meeting, treasurer Colin Beattie is believed to have issued a statement aimed at offering members reassurance that the £600,000 would be spent on Scexit campaigning, according to reports in the Scottish Daily Mail on Monday. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Beattie said: "We will ensure an amount equivalent to the sums raised from these appeals will go directly to our work to secure a referendum and win independence."

Detectives launched an investigation into the £600,000 in July 2021 after concerns were raised by SNP members about what the money had been used for. Firebrand nationalist Sean Clerkin lodged a complaint about cash donated by supporters from 2017 that was supposed to be ringfenced for the campaign for a second Scexit referendum.

However, by the end of 2019, the party had only £96,000 in the bank. There have since been complaints regarding the length of the time the inquiry has taken and Mr Clerkin previously said both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell "should have been questioned long before now".

It emerged last week that Mr Murrell's loan had broken numerous electoral reporting rules. And Ms Sturgeon was ridiculed after claiming she could not remember when her husband told her about the cash.

Of the latest revelation, Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: "Nicola Sturgeon has serious questions to answer over this extraordinary coincidence in relation to her husband loaning his employer a six-figure sum. These questions are not going away and the situation is getting increasingly murky for those at the very top of the SNP.

"The public will quite rightly be concerned that the SNP's CEO and husband of the First Minister loaned over £100,000 to assist with cashflow issues only a day after the party's treasurer had sought to reassure members over their referendum-related donations. This stinks of SNP secrecy and it is time those involved were fully transparent with the public about what exactly went on here."

Detectives at Police Scotland finally handed a report on the "missing" £600,000 over to the Crown Office in January, requesting "further instruction". The force has since said it was "working closely" with the Crown Office.

The SNP has been approached for comment.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18340087 (131833ZFEB23) Notable: Updated Nicola Sturgeon & SNP Bun Part One / Nicola Sturgeon given the message loud and clear as 'resign' billboards pop up in Glasgow and Edinburgh

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https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-given-message-loud-29206855

Nicola Sturgeon given the message loud and clear as 'resign' billboards pop up in Glasgow and Edinburgh

The Majority reckon it's time for the First Minister to quit with support for Scexit plummeting and her gender reforms widely opposed among voters

By Douglas Dickie

13 FEB 2023

The wishes of Scots could not be clearer for Nicola Sturgeon - it's time to go. And in case she didn't get the message, new billboards have popped up in Glasgow and Edinburgh with the slogan 'ResignSturgeon'.

The campaign is down to pro-Union group The Majority and 150 donors who contributed to a crowdfunding campaign for the billboards. There are eight across Scotland's two largest cities.

It comes after a new poll over the weekend suggested 42 per cent of voters want the First Minister to resign immediately while a mammoth 76 per cent had concerns over her flagship gender recognition reform. And on Monday, another survey suggested support for Scexit was plummeting and Scots backed the UK Government in blocking the gender bill.

The Majority said the campaign "is a simple and direct message to Nicola Sturgeon to take responsibility for her catastrophic handling of the Scottish Government". Mark Devlin, founder of The Majority, said: "While the majority of Scots want the Scottish Government to focus on the cost-of-living crisis, energy bills and a failing health service, Nicola Sturgeon has spent the past eight years dividing Scots, promoting Green extremists to government, and picking unnecessary and costly fights with Westminster.

"Her Gender Reform Bill is just the latest example of how out of touch she is with ordinary Scottish people’s priorities. Instead of putting rapists into female prisons, she must resign so the country can move on."

The campaign message - #ResignSturgeon - is part of an ongoing grassroots hashtag campaign on Twitter that has had hundreds of thousands of retweets and responses and regularly appears on Twitter’s ‘trending’ lists of the social network’s most popular hashtags.

The Majority says the campaign is funded wholly by donations to a crowdfunder that has raised almost £5600 to date. Funds that come in after the billboards are displayed will be used to promote the campaign on social media.

The Majority's #ResignSturgeon billboard campaigns and aerial banner for the 2021 Scottish election were seen by hundreds of thousands of Scots and featured in over 70 newspapers worldwide.