/qresearch/ -  Q Research

https://x.com/margomartin/status/1857961061779169629

>>22006146

>>21986280

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/comment/knock-knock-whos-there-failed-34114509

Knock knock. Who's there? A failed ex-first minister and suspect in one of Scotland's biggest police investigations!

Have you heard the one about Nicola Sturgeon…? With the former SNP leader set to perform at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, we've got some suggestions for jokes she could tell

Comment/opinion

Ben Borland Editor

15 NOV 2024

Nicola Sturgeon is to perform at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival with her crime writer pal Val McDermid. Tickets for ' Books & Banter' on March 22 at the King's Theatre are on sale now.

The pair will also perform a festive show at Edinburgh's Assembly Hall on December 5, with two guests joining them on both occasions. So, what kind of gags are you likely to hear? We've got some ideas.

* Knock knock. Who's there? It's the police. We've come to arrest your husband and search your home and garden for evidence in a major investigation into fraud and embezzlement allegations.

* An Englishman, an Irishman and a Welshman walk into a bar. Where's the Scotsman today? asks the barman. Oh, he had to stay at home because Nicola Sturgeon closed all the pubs and banned him from leaving his council area.

* An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a bar. The Englishman orders a pint of lager. That'll be £5.50, replies the barman. The Irishman orders a pint of lager. That'll be £5.50, replies the barman. The Scotsman orders a pint of lager. That'll be £6.50, replies the barman, because Nicola Sturgeon's minimum unit price for alcohol is 65p.

* What do you call a gorilla with a sub-machine gun? Anything he wants to be called! What do you call a rapist with male genitals in Nicola Sturgeon's Scotland? Anything he wants to be called!

* Did you hear the one about a double rapist in a female prison? He decided to change gender before he was found guilty at trial and then Nicola Sturgeon couldn't say whether he was a man or a woman.

* What do you say when you are first told that your political mentor who worked alongside you for decades and to whom you owe your entire career is under investigation by your government for alleged sexual misconduct? I had forgotten all about that meeting until you just mentioned it.

* What do you say to your husband, the chief executive of the party that you lead and your mentor used to lead, when that same political mentor comes to your house for urgent talks about that investigation? I didn't say anything and he didn't ask.

* Did you take part in a government plot to frame that same political mentor on very serious charges in order to prevent him from making a comeback and challenging your leadership? I can't remember.

* What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff. What do you call a man with 50 rabbits up his bum? Warren. What do you call a man who is repeatedly bitten by rats in Nicola Sturgeon's Glasgow? A city council cleansing worker.

* Did you hear the one about the Prime Minister who broke his own rules by having a slice of cake at a birthday party with some colleagues at work? Yes, it ended his career.

>>22006359

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* Did you hear the one about the First Minister who broke her own rules by not wearing a face mask, including at a funeral and in a barber's shop where she posed for selfies in order to win votes? Yes, it was just a minor breach and nothing to get worked up about.

* How do you read a WhatsApp on Nicola Sturgeon's ministerial phone? You can't, they've all been deleted.

* What do you call the elderly hospital patients who were moved en masse into care homes by Nicola Sturgeon and Jeane Freeman? Sadly, in thousands of cases, the deceased.

* What do you say to a pupil in a Scottish classroom during 2020 or 2021? Go home, kid, Nicola Sturgeon has closed all the schools despite no evidence to suggest it would slow the spread of the virus.

* I say, I say, I say, my dog's got no nose. How does he smell? Terrible! I say, I say, I say, my political party's got no money despite receiving huge sums in donations. How does that smell? Terrible!

And… well, that's probably enough for now. Enjoy the show everyone!

>>21790655

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/comment/whistleblowing-nurse-determined-hold-nicola-34120093

Whistleblowing nurse on why she is determined to hold Nicola Sturgeon to account for Covid deaths

Writing exclusively for the Scottish Daily Express, LESLEY ROBERTS explains why she has spent the past four and a half years fighting for truth and justice in the wake of the Scottish Government's handling of the Covid pandemic

Comment/opinion

Lesley Roberts

17 NOV 2024

I always knew there were massive problems in the NHS and working as a Nurse for over 28 years, it became apparent that health and safety was not first and foremost in the minds of those in senior political roles.

However, issues that should have been dealt with became much worse from around 2008 and onwards. The shift from bad NHS management to management more concerned about bullying, intimidating and seriously silencing staff became much more evident.

Going into COVID, I was duly concerned about my patients and, as a Unite the Union Rep, my members. I watched astonished as the Hazard Definition Warning Tables were lowered which in layman's terms meant that we really should never have been in lockdown and the country should not have been closed in the way it was.

I watched RIDDOR recording, internal NHS DATIX recording and risk assessment being superseded by this Scottish Government Guidance (SGG), which made no sense at all.

This lead to issues with adverse situations and ignored how such should have been handled. Despite trying to raise this as a Rep, the public sector simply reverted back to SGG and silenced me as much as they possibly could. Some 22 grievances later I was still fighting the fight without any justice for those as to whom I represented or cared for.

Found listening into a call in their quest to silence me, the arrogance of the public sector became worse by the day. Unsafe and unlawful masks issued to staff and the government trying to advise everyone that this deadly pandemic wasn't airborne was incredulous to those who knew different.

Even as children we knew what a cough was and what it created and yet in the worse pandemic of our times, the government refused to say what a cough was or how a deadly pandemic was being spread. RIDDOR and DATIX would have guided the government and yet SGG superseded all.

I watched in horror as the elderly were deemed DNA CPR and I questioned why the relatives were not to be told. I found myself falling foul of this as well with my own mother and yet I was the board-wide Equality and Diversity Rep.

I also was receiving many calls from distressed staff about the elderly and most vulnerable being discharged into care home and yet the workforce were terrified to speak out and question anything. SGG superseded all.

Many medications were used under the term NG NICE 163 which was adopted into NICE NG 191. In essence Morphine and Midazolam which incredulously affected the breathing of those who were administered such a cocktail.

I found many nurses terrified to speak out due to the toxic environment of blame, fear and silence. Nicola Sturgeon and Jeane Freeman became known as the Shipman sisters on the nurses forums and nurses truly began to detest them.

Your health should be the very essence of life and without decent health care we are in trouble. Hence why I decided to take this further and report the government and the public sector to the police.

I believe the government are guilty of Corporate Manslaughter and I stand by that assessment. I also view many of the public sectors and their corrupt oversight bodies as "art and part" under the Criminal Procedure Scotland Act 1995.

No one should have stood by and watched this unfold and yet it was all about fear, bullying, intimidation and the trajectory simply carried on. Lessons will be learned will never be enough.

The real truth needs to be told and had the inquiry actually put me on the stand for the two sessions agreed, the country would know the truth. Apathy only works for a short time and when it knocks on your own door, apathy is forgotten in the quest for the truth.

Sadly, the truth is rarely forthcoming in SNP Scotland and many simply have not awoken to that reality as yet.

>>21790655

>>22006593

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/read-here-full-letter-reporting-29345282

Read the letter reporting Nicola Sturgeon and Jeane Freeman to police over Covid deaths

As a trio of veteran campaigners make a crime report over avoidable pandemic deaths, we have obtained a full copy of the letter that summarises their case

Ben BorlandEditor

1 MAR 2023

The Scottish Express has obtained a copy of the letter handed in to Police Scotland today by three of the country's leading health campaigners as they report Nicola Sturgeon over pandemic deaths.

Roger Livermore and Rab Wilson of the Action for a Safe and Accountable People's NHS campaign were joined by brave whistleblowing nurse Lesley Roberts in filing the report at a police station in Glasgow.

The trio believe the Scottish Government should be prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman also being held personally accountable.

Mr Livermore, a former health and safety principal inspector and crown prosecutor in England, and Mr Wilson, who exposed the NHS Ayrshire and Arran avoidable death scandal, have a track record of exposing similar cases.

After handing over a copy of the letter, they told the Express that going in person to the police station can often have the desired effect of raising public awareness and also putting the authorities on alert that a crime report has been filed.

They have collated evidence centring around deaths in care homes, hospitals and among healthcare staff.

Included in the dossier is evidence on the use of unsafe, unlawful and out-of-date masks and PPE equipment; a lack of risk assessments on wards and the destruction of paperwork around Covid patients being placed in care homes.

The group also claim the misuse of Do Not Resuscitate orders, also known as DNA-CPRs, led to more deaths.

Mr Livermore described the Scottish Government's failure to ensure patient safety as "one of the biggest crimes in Scottish and UK legal history".

The campaigner claimed: "On February 29, 2020, we reminded the Scottish Government about the laws which applied and they completely ignored us and engaged in corporate policy which was homicidal.

"Rather than control the virus, they engaged in policies which spread the virus. We are looking at corporate homicide."

The Scottish Government insisted: "Ministers and officials acted at all times, based on the best information available at the time, to keep people safe."

>>22006694

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ASAP-NHS letter to Police Scotland

Dear Sir/ Madam

PANDEMIC: CRIME REPORT OF CORPORATE HOMICIDE BY SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

We wish to report the Scottish Government (and its direct ministerial report NHS Scotland) for operating highly unlawful and homicidal policies both before and during the pandemic. The Chief Constable Iain Livingstone will have been expecting this.

Since 2012 we had been pointing out to the government that it was failing and refusing to implement UK-wide law on patient safety and particularly on infection control, as with the pandemic. The SFM and Scottish Ministers, senior NHS officers and their organisations were involved in the most serious breaches of HSWA 1974, MHSWR 1999, COSHH, PPE Regulations, Workplace Regulations, and RIDDOR. These failures are unlawful; they can also be guaranteed to have resulted in thousands of unnecessary deaths.

This is made even worse with the SFM, Scottish Ministers (Health, Justice, Lord Advocate, Solicitor General, NHS Scotland, and the Chief Justice covering up the causes of the deaths. The government’s unlawful CDIT is an internal way of shielding the government from investigation and prosecution. CDIT has produced nothing. Further the Lord Advocate and the Chief Justice Lord Carloway have unlawfully suspended the Fatal Accident Inquiry system in respect of Covid-19; there is no lawful system of investigating deaths in Scotland. With the government and its ministers also running the prosecution system that is also extremely unlawful, unconstitutional, dysfunctional and corrupt. There is also the issue of the matter of obstructing fair elections.

Further, as you are aware two Scottish Ministers (Bain, Charteris) under SFM Sturgeon constantly break the law on them directing police investigations (section 5 Police and Fire (Scotland) Act 2012). The ministers need to also be prosecuted for this, the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008.

Examples of Scottish Government Homicidal Policies

1. Failure and refusal to implement UK law on patient safety and the pandemic

2. Failed to have legally-required precautions to handle dangerous pathogens/contingency

3. Unsafe discharge of NHS patients into the care homes and community

4. Homicidal National Infection Protection and Control Manual - how to spread the virus. Created deaths traps for workers and public alike,

5. Ditto policy on masks. Surgical masks are never PPE and do not protect

6; Disregard and no compliance with COSHH in acute healthcare. Hospital Acquired Covid-19 Infections and deaths.

7. Disregard and no compliance with COSHH in care homes and social care

8. Cover up outbreaks and infections (RIDDOR).

These extremely serious matters must be immediately referred to an external police force. Please arrange for a detective to meet me to get the investigation under way

>>21790655

>>22006593

>>22006700

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk-news/death-protocol-covid-whistleblower-lesley-31222669

The death protocol: Covid whistleblower Lesley Roberts believes this one medical blunder cost thousands of lives

At the start of the pandemic, new treatment guidelines for seriously ill Covid patients were drawn up quickly and rolled out across the UK. They were based on end-of-life care for those with terminal conditions and some now believe the use of so-called 'silence me' drugs led to many avoidable deaths

Ben Borland

21 OCT 2023

Whistleblowing nurse Lesley Roberts has highlighted one devastating blunder that she believes led to thousands of avoidable deaths during the Covid pandemic.

She is speaking out after receiving a "Restriction Order" from the Scottish Covid Inquiry that would prevent her from disclosing any of the evidence or documents she has submitted to the probe. Ms Roberts says she fears the impact will be to stop her and other campaigners from criticising the Scottish Government.

Ms Roberts, who was an infection control link nurse with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at the start of pandemic as well as a workplace health and safety rep for Unison, has been an outspoken critic of the decisions taken by ministers and healthcare officials at the time.

She has reported the Scottish Government to Police Scotland and is calling for Nicola Sturgeon and Jeane Freeman to face corporate homicide charges. She has repeatedly highlighted the increased use of Do Not Resuscitate forms, especially around elderly or vulnerable patients with Covid-19.

Now – with the threat of a 'gagging order' looming from the inquiry – she wants to discuss what she sees as the most explosive part of the vast array of evidence she has gathered over the past three years.

It relates to the NG163 'end of life' protocol from NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It was issued to doctors and nurses across the UK on April 3, 2020 and remained in place until March 21, 2021.

According to Ms Roberts and other healthcare campaigners, NG163 essentially told medics to prescribe a deadly cocktail of powerful drugs to people in hospital and elsewhere who had been diagnosed with an advanced case of Covid-19.

She said: "It should never have been considered. People who were not at the end of their lives were brought to the end because of those drugs. If they had breathing difficulties then their breathing was being suppressed even further by the drugs and it was this that then killed them, not Covid."

Just like the catastrophic decision to move elderly patients from hospitals to care homes, either without testing or sometimes even after they had tested positive for coronavirus, NG163 was controversial right from the start.

'There is potential risk of unintended serious harm'

On April 20, 2020, 11 of the UK's most senior consultants in palliative care medicine – including Barry Laird, from the University of Edinburgh and St Columba's Hospice – wrote to the British Medical Journal to flag their concerns.

They said: "We fully understand why shortcuts to the normal NICE guideline procedure were necessary, in order to produce Covid-19 guidance rapidly. But we are concerned that uncritical use of NG163 may create unintended risks for people with suspected or actual Covid-19 infection."

The guidance was based on previous NICE advice "aimed at care of people who were likely to die in the coming hours and days". They added: "Many people in the UK who are suspected of having Covid-19 will not have advanced cancer or be dying from another existing terminal condition."

>>22006885

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The palliative care specialists also warned of the danger of the potent combination of "opioid, benzodiazepine and/or neuroleptic" drugs recommended by NICE.

"It takes great skill and experience to use palliative sedation proportionately so that extreme physical and existential distress are palliated, but death is not primarily accelerated," they said. "NG163 states: 'Sedation and opioid use should not be withheld because of a fear of causing respiratory depression.'

"If Covid-19 infection were uniformly fatal, this would be an acceptable statement. But for people not previously known to be at the end of life, there is potential risk of unintended serious harm, if these medications are used incorrectly and without the benefit of specialist palliative care advice."

'They were called 'silence me' drugs'

Speaking to the Scottish Daily Express, Ms Roberts said the decision to ignore these and other warnings about the NICE guidance should play a central role in both the UK and Scottish public inquiries.

"They were called 'silence me' drugs," she said. "I don't believe any nurse wants to watch their patients die but I'm afraid that is what happened as a result of this Covid care protocol."

Her evidence around NG163 forms a key part of both her submission to the Scottish Covid Inquiry and her witness statement provided to Police Scotland detectives from Operation Koper, the long-running investigation into Covid deaths in Scottish care homes.

A group called The People's Care Watchdog is also campaigning about the "unlawful end of life protocols" brought in as a result of NG163. It argues that many Covid deaths in care homes and hospitals "could and should have been avoided".

The group adds: "Many people lost family members during 'lockdown' and the clinical guidance produced by NICE in April 2020 demands public scrutiny to understand the impact it had on deaths in care homes and hospitals."

Earlier this year, in answer to a question from controversial lockdown sceptic former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, UK health minister Will Quince defended guideline NG163.

He said: "The focus at that time was given to providing rapid guidance on the management of affected patients with Covid-19. A number of NICE's Covid-19 rapid guidelines were incorporated into a single guideline for the management of Covid-19 in children and adults (NG191)."

>>22006885

>>21790655

>>22006593

>>22006700

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotlands-covid-vaccine-injured-call-30925072

Scotland's Covid vaccine injured call for end of 'gaslighting' from medical profession as they prepare for UK inquiry

Lawyers representing hundreds of people who have either become ill due to the vaccine or lost a loved one will attend a hearing of the UK Covid Inquiry in London on Wednesday

Douglas Dickie

13 SEP 2023

Scotland's Covid vaccine injured have called for an end to "gaslighting" as they look to have their story heard at the UK Covid Inquiry. The Scottish Vaccine Injury Group (SVIG) has joined up with UK CV Family and Vaccine Injured Bereaved UK (VIBUK) to put forward their evidence at the probe, which got underway in June.

The group has been granted Core Participant Status and will be represented by Hudgell Solicitors, who will attend a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, September 13. SVIG represents hundreds of people who have either become ill due to the vaccine or lost a loved one.

Members will give evidence to the pubic inquiry as part of a section dedicated to investigating a range of issues relating to the development, implementation and uptake of the vaccine rollout programme. It will see "issues of recent public concern relating to vaccine safety" and the current system for financial redress under the Government's UK Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme explored in hearings next year, chaired by Appeal Judge Baroness Heather Hallett.

Ruth O'Rafferty, 54, a founder of the group, said she wants to see a change in how vaccine injured people are viewed. We previously told how Ruth now suffers from mast cell activation syndrome after a reaction to the jag as well as dysautonomia, which impacts the nervous system, brain inflammation and hormonal imbalance.

Ruth, who protested at Holyrood about the treatment of vaccine injured, said: "Our members have not only suffered the massive loss either of a loved one, their health, livelihood, freedom and for some their future, but in addition they have faced disbelief, incredulity and even been ostracised and silenced, so to have their voices heard at a statutory inquiry will hopefully be the first step in a long overdue healing process. They have had to fight to have a voice, advocate for themselves over and over again and still, many are no better.

"They did what they were told was necessary for everyone's good. Now the world has moved on and they feel abandoned.

"It is our hope that we will not only be actively listened to, but that the inquiry makes recommendations to radically change the way we are viewed by the public, mainstream media and medical professionals, and that its eventual conclusions lead to easier access to timely medical diagnosis and treatment of vaccine injury, desperately needed psychological and financial support, and an end to gaslighting. We are grateful to Baroness Hallet for the opportunity to have core participant status and hope the evidence we bring to the table will help avoid repeated pain and suffering in the future, as well as lead to more streamlined and cost-effective policies."

Attending on behalf of the SVIG will be Alex Mitchell, Louise Whitford and John Watt. Alex and John previously opened up to the Scottish Express about their experience. Alex, 58, lost his leg in 2021 after suffering from vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia while John, 37, spent a year in bed before finally being diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Terry Wilcox, Solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors, who has represented families at the recent Manchester Arena Inquiry and subpostmasters at the ongoing Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, said: "These are groups of people who had a Covid-19 vaccine to protect themselves during the pandemic, and who, unfortunately, have suffered serious ill health since. Some people have sadly died due to complications; deaths which have been recognised by medical professionals and the courts, to have been caused by the complications linked to the vaccines.

"The development and roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines was of course crucial in helping the world emerge from the pandemic and to return to the normality we again enjoy today, but it is only right and proper that this inquiry fully explores the cases where vaccine damage has led to life-changing situations."

>>21790655

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/foreign-office-issues-urgent-warning-34124733

Foreign Office issues urgent warning to Brits heading to the EU over new rule

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to holidaymakers heading to Europe in the autumn and winter, urging them to get vaccinated or risk being denied their holidays.

Hannah Giacardi & James Rodger

16 NOV 2024

The Foreign Office has sounded the alarm for UK travellers, stressing the importance of vaccinations ahead of their holidays. In a move to ensure Brits are well-prepared for their autumn and winter getaways within the European Union, the government body shared a crucial message on its social media platforms.

The post from the official Foreign Office account stated: "Did you know? At least eight weeks before your trip, you should check the latest vaccination information for your destination, and see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page". Echoing this sentiment, the NHS has issued a reminder that international travel can expose individuals to serious diseases common in other regions, including yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A.

The health service's guidance is clear: "If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least six to eight weeks before you're due to travel. Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months."

Moreover, the NHS points out that certain types of travel, such as backpacking, hostel stays, camping, rural adventures, or extended trips, can increase the risk of disease. It also notes that those with pre-existing health conditions may face a heightened risk of infection or complications from travel-related illnesses.

Certain nations require proof of vaccination, such as for polio or yellow fever, which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) prior to entering or leaving a country. It's also important to remember that not all travel vaccinations are provided free of charge by the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a particular area, reports the Mirror.

Ramping up the convid (or other) shite again.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/grangemouth-oil-refinery-owner-turns-34136930

Grangemouth oil refinery owner turns down further bid to buy out industrial site

It's understood a consortium - which includes an energy investor based in the United States - has approached Petroineos and the Scottish Government.

Ryan Carroll

18 NOV 2024

The Grangemouth oil refinery owner has turned down another bid to buy out the industrial site ahead of its proposed closure next year, according to reports.

It's understood a consortium - including a US-based energy investor - has approached Petroineos and the Scottish Government. As reported by the BBC, the proposed takeover was deemed "not credible" without the necessary capital to invest while sustaining continued losses.

More than 400 jobs are expected to go at the site and Petroineos has plans to turn it into an fuel import terminal, with possible investment in a biofuels refinery or hydrogen plant. This was the consortium's second approach after another potential bidder was also turned away on the same grounds.

The Times newspaper reported in September that Canadian businessman Garth Reid was engaged in talks with Petroineos with the report saying there had been "concerns" about the viability of that approach.

A Petroineos spokesman said: "Since the Petroineos joint venture was formed 13 years ago, our shareholders have invested nearly £1bn in the refinery, only to absorb losses of £600m. Last week, the refinery lost £385,000 on average each day and we expect to lose more than £150m in total during the course of this year. We have not received any credible or viable bids for the refinery."

Meanwhile trade union Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said she is “dismayed” by comments from the Scottish Secretary which appeared to “give up” on keeping the refinery open.

Last week, officials from the company told a Holyrood committee it is simply too late to secure a smooth transition of the site from fossil fuels to renewables, as workers and politicians have suggested. The Scottish and UK Governments have launched Project Willow, which aims to chart a future for the site in low-carbon fuels.

Unite says Grangemouth could be converted “relatively easily” to produce SAF – made from feedstocks such as cooking oil – saying this could happen in between one to three years without job losses. They pointed to examples of other refineries around the world such as P66’s in Rodeo, California, which switched from crude oil to renewable feedstocks at a cost of one billion US dollars.

Unite are sceptical of Peroineos’ claims about the lack of financial viability at Grangemouth, saying there will soon be burgeoning demand for SAF.

In a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Ms Graham said: “I do not need to remind you that this is the only refinery in Scotland and it is critical to our national security. A Labour Government not putting together a serious plan for the future of the site and the thousands of jobs which depend on it, would be a huge dereliction of duty.

“I was extremely concerned to hear the evidence of Iain Hardie and Colin Pritchard from Petroineos to the select committee on Wednesday. In particular, they claimed that no Government discussions around an intervention had happened yet. I was also dismayed at the comments of (Scottish Secretary) Ian Murray which seemed to give up on Grangemouth, which is totally unacceptable.”

Unite’s survival plan for the site involves the UK and Scottish governments taking a stake in the refinery to prevent its closure, though so far ministers in neither London or Edinburgh have suggested they would do this.

Last week, Mr Murray told STV “there is no way round” the fact the refinery is closing in May. Iain Hardie, head of legal and external affairs for Petroineos, has told MSPs the site lost on average £385,000 per day last week and expects a £150 million loss this year.

>>22019183

>Yep, now they need to see what breaks on trials. Might want to have a pair of tugs on standby

Didn't another one do just that recently? I might have posted it?

This from 6 days ago 13th. Might want to check the tugs are seaworthy too?

https://news.stv.tv/west-central/tug-boat-crew-died-after-things-went-dreadfully-wrong-within-seconds-off-greenock

Tug boat crew died after things went 'dreadfully wrong' within seconds

Ian Catterson, 73, and George Taft, 65, were killed after the Biter capsized on the Clyde.

Beth Franklin

13th Nov 2024

Two tug boat crew members died after things went “dreadfully wrong” within seconds in waters off Greenock, an investigation has found.

The Biter capsized and sank on February 24, 2023, while assisting the passenger vessel Hebridean Princess as it approached James Watt Dock.

The two crew members aboard the tug died in the incident after the boat capsized “within ten seconds”.

The bodies of George Taft, 65, from Greenock, and Ian Catterson, 73, from Millport, were removed from the water on February 25, 2023, almost 24 hours after the boat sank in the Firth of Clyde.

An investigation by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch (MAIB) found that the incident happened after a “breakdown of systems” that should have kept Mr Catterson and Mr Taft safe.

Fourteen issues were found to have contributed to the accident, including the speed of the cruise ship, which almost certainly caused an “essential” safety rope to break.

The report on the incident that found an open hatch on the tug boat “compromised” its watertight integrity and “limited the crew’s chance of survival”.

“Tug Biter’s accident was another cruel lesson of how rapidly things can go dreadfully wrong”

Andrew Moll OBE, chief inspector of marine accidents

MAIB added that the marine pilot’s training had not prepared them to work with conventional tugs like the Biter.

It was found that the speed of the Hebridean Princess placed an excessive load on the MV Biter’s gob rope – the rigging that keeps a tugboat from capsizing – causing it to break.

It was also highlighted that the cruise ship’s master and tug masters did not have a “shared understanding” of the Clydeport pilot’s plan and couldn’t challenge his intentions.

It said it was unclear whether anyone understood the “extreme risks” associated with the MV Biter’s manoeuvre behind the cruise ship.

The MAIB added that the tug’s rapid capsize meant the crew had insufficient time to release its towlines.

Andrew Moll OBE, chief inspector of marine accidents, said the incident was a “cruel lesson” in how quickly things can go wrong.

“In less than ten seconds, the tug capsized, and two experienced seafarers lost their lives because of a breakdown of the systems that should have kept them safe,” he said.

Mr Moll added that small tugboats are an “essential” part of UK port operations but said the vulnerabilities of the vessels “must be understood by those that operate and control them”.

“Harbour authorities, ship and tug masters, and pilots should collectively own this risk,” he said.

“Pilots and tug crews must be suitably trained and experienced for their roles, and they must share a detailed understanding of the towage plan before they start the job.”

He continued: “Speed, which has an exponential effect on towing forces, must be carefully controlled and the lines correctly set.

“Everyone involved must then monitor the execution of the plan and, if needed, act to keep everyone safe.”

>>22019183

>>22019290

Sadly there were two fatalities.

>>22006996

>>22006989

>>22000169

>>21790661

>>22000169

>>21999769

>>21790661

>>21999681

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/pressure-grows-john-swinney-sack-34128085

Pressure grows on John Swinney to sack Neil Gray as he fails to declare Hampden hospitality

The Health Secretary must go to restore trust in politics, according to a former standards watchdog who warned he 'can't get away with it'

Douglas Dickie

17 NOV 2024

Neil Gray is coming under increased pressure after a former parliamentary standards watchdog said he should be sacked to help mend public trust in politics. And the Health Secretary is facing further questions over his taxpayer-funded limo rides to football matches involving his favourite team.

Mr Gray, whose remit includes sport, apologised in Holyrood this week after it emerged he had been chauffeured to four matches involving Aberdeen FC. He insisted he had been engaged in government business but admitted he had "given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister".

John Swinney has faced calls to order a probe into Mr Gray's use of the vehicles, although the First Minister considers the matter closed. It has since emerged Mr Gray did not declare hospitality at Hampden to watch the Dons after senior clubs lobbied him to scrap the alcohol ban in stadiums.

The Sunday Post reports that he was approached at a garden party in 2022 by representatives of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) which then arranged VIP trips to watch his heroes at the national stadium. Instead of declaring the freebies, Mr Gray registered the trips as ministerial discussions with the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

Mr Gray said earlier this year he was considering lifting the alcohol ban although Mr Swinney overruled him just days later. The Scottish Government said there was no need for him to declare the trips as gifts but Sir Alistair Graham, chair of the committee on standards in public life at Westminster from 2004 to 2007, believes Mr Swinney must act of risk destroying trust in the government event further.

He said: "Breaches like the ones we have seen from Neil Gray and other leading politicians, which people may think are relatively minor, in fact undermine public confidence in whether politicians are putting the public interest before the private interest. That is clearly the case here, where the use of an official car was plainly to satisfy the private interest rather than meeting the needs of the public."

He added that Mr Gray remaining in his role “will add to the cynicism already felt by much of the public at a time when trust is at an extremely low ebb”, adding: “If there has been a consistent track record of failure to abide by the ministerial code at Holyrood, then it should be for the Scottish Parliament to take action against Neil Gray. He should not be allowed to get away with it.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton MSP said: “It is vitally important that Neil Gray is held to account for taking the public for a ride by claiming his visits to Hampden were 'for' official business. The public are rightly furious that, yet another SNP health secretary is engulfed in scandal following the misuse of taxpayers’ money.

“The public must not be taken for fools, in a similar vein to the Matheson scandal. John Swinney must urgently launch a ministerial code investigation.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “There is no requirement on ministers to record official government events in the Scottish Parliament Register of Interests. Where ministers attend events in an official, government capacity these are recorded as official business and published on the Scottish Government website.

“All engagements referred to by Mr Gray in his statement to Parliament this week were official government business.”

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>>21790661

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/stephen-flynn-says-ambitious-after-34127423

Stephen Flynn says he is 'ambitious' after being asked if he wants John Swinney's job

The party's Westminster leader has had one of his worst ever weeks in politics after a backlash over plans to double job as an MP and MSP

Paul Hutcheon

17 NOV 2024

Under-fire Stephen Flynn has said he is “ambitious” after being asked if he wants John Swinney's job. The SNP Westminster leader said any contest to be party leader would be in the "dim and distant future” but pointedly refused to rule out wanting to succeed the First Minister.

Flynn has been attacked by colleagues after he said he wanted to stand for Holyrood in 2026 while remaining as an MP. He has been criticised for the double jobbing plan and trying to oust sitting SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine - the Holyrood seat he is eyeing up.

Flynn toppled ex MP Ian Blackford to become SNP Westminster leader and party insiders believe he wants to replace Swinney as overall leader and FM.

In an interview with the BBC, the SNP MP was asked if he is on manoeuvres to secure the leadership. "So I'm ambitious,” he said. "I'm seriously ambitious for Aberdeen and for Scotland.”

He added: “I don’t believe that there’s going to be a leadership contest in the Scottish National Party for a long, long time, because John Swinney is going to win the Scottish Parliament elections.

“Should there be a future leadership election it will be in the dim and distant future.”

In an interview with the BBC, the SNP MP was asked if he is on manoeuvres to secure the leadership. "So I'm ambitious,” he said. "I'm seriously ambitious for Aberdeen and for Scotland.”

He added: “I don’t believe that there’s going to be a leadership contest in the Scottish National Party for a long, long time, because John Swinney is going to win the Scottish Parliament elections.

“Should there be a future leadership election it will be in the dim and distant future.”

Flynn shot down claims he asked Nicoll to make way for him before he announced his plan last week: “That’s a lie.” He said: “I did call Audrey the night before. We had a fairly cordial conversation, albeit brief.” He added: “I don’t want to be having these discussions on television, trying to defend myself over lies and fabrications.

The Record reported last week that SNP Ministers killed a vote this month on banning double jobbing days before Flynn confirmed his intentions. The Government promised MSPs a consultation and floated an eventual ban, but only after the 2026 election.

Scottish Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton said: “Stephen Flynn must think Scots are buttoned up the back. He is fooling no one with his attempts to justify his plans to sit in both of Scotland’s parliaments.

“Stephen Flynn knows fine well this smacks of rank hypocrisy. He is just another SNP politician who thinks there should be one rule for his party, and another for everyone else.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-labour-governments-should-tackle-34120513

SNP and Labour Governments should tackle poverty like covid emergency, says top campaigner

SallyAnn Kelly of Aberlour said the focus and resources that were marshalled during the pandemic are also needed to slash poverty.

Paul Hutcheon

18 NOV 2024

A leading campaigner has demanded the child poverty crisis is given the same emergency response as covid. Aberlour chief executive SallyAnn Kelly said the billions spent during the pandemic should also be shelled out for low income families.

Figures show that around 240,000 children in Scotland - around 24% - were in relative poverty in 2023. The number has barely changed since the SNP swept to power in 2007, despite policies like the Scottish Child Payment.

The welfare policies of the last Tory Government have been widely blamed for the stubbornly high figures. Kelly, speaking to the Record, said the way the UK and Scottish governments responded to covid should be replicated in the fight against poverty.

She said: “No one could ever underestimate the suffering and loss inflicted by Covid but the lives and life chances of thousands of children are being as badly impacted by poverty as the pandemic. We need the same ambition, determination and urgency around poverty as we had during lockdown in terms of supporting families and protecting the lives of children. The swift and effective action taken then is needed now and our governments need to step up.”

Kelly said the difference in response is because politicians were directly affected by covid but not by poverty.

She said: “The emergency support for families during Covid would have been thought impossible just a few weeks earlier. The reason that assistance was put in place with such speed was because politicians and policy-makers were just as affected as everyone else.

“There was no sense that Covid was something happening to other people and that is why the response to poverty is so different. The experience of living in poverty is so far from decision-makers’ lives that they can struggle to understand it. They seem to believe poverty is something that happens to other people, to poor people.”

She also said the “distance” between politicians and poverty had “sabotaged” effective action:

“It’s about what commentators call proximity and, right now, our decision makers seem far, far away from families in poverty. The issue does not impact on their day to day lives so they do not seem as invested in addressing it. That was not the case during Covid.

“Policy-makers do not seem to understand the daily challenges facing families, of getting food on the table, getting kids to school, paying for clothes, staying warm and all the rest."

Aberlour believes both governments have a key role to play in making big reductions in child poverty. She wants First Minister John Swinney to use his Budget to increase the £26.70 a week SCP and is urging Keir Starmer to end the two child cap on benefits.

The Labour Government has set up an anti-poverty taskforce but continues to resist calls to end the Tory cap.

Kelly said: “The same urgent assistance happened during the pandemic, of course, and happened with unprecedented speed. The difference was the middle classes were trusted so if you were working but furloughed, for example, you would be supported financially because the government trusted you to do the right thing by your family. Families living in poverty deserve that same trust now.”

She added: “There is still this notion of the deserving poor and the undeserving poor. Nobody questioned if people were deserving or undeserving during the pandemic. During Covid, there was an absolute determination to protect everyone and the will to put measures in place urgently. We need that same urgency and determination to help families in poverty right now.”

She spoke approvingly of the SCP and UK Government plans to improve workers’ pay and conditions, but said: “We welcome all of that but it takes time and children do not have that time. They are suffering right now and they need action right now. There must be emergency relief for families, even if only on a temporary basis, until these promised changes take effect. That kind of temporary, emergency support is exactly what happened during Covid and is exactly what is needed now.”

She spoke out as Aberlour launches its poverty relief fundraising campaign. Every pound donated is delivered to families in the most extreme hardship through its Urgent Assistance Fund.

Labour MSP Paul O’Kane said: “Too many children in Scotland across the UK are growing up in poverty, it is an unacceptable scar on our communities, and is the legacy of 17 years of Tory austerity and SNP complacency. Scottish Labour wants to deliver lasting reductions to child poverty using every lever available.

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………….continued………………………………………………………………………………………………….

"The UK Budget ended the era of austerity, delivering billions more for public services in Scotland. And our reforms to Universal Credit will see 110,000 Scottish households £420 a year better off. The UK Labour government also established the cross-government Child Poverty Task Force which will look at every lever we can pull to reduce child poverty in our society."

Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “During the height of Covid-19, the government ended homelessness overnight. It should not take a global pandemic to support the most marginalised groups of people in our society. We need that same determination and action every day.”

"Poverty and inequality are not natural or inevitable – they are signs of societal and political failure. Children are being born into and living in poverty daily. It is a social emergency that demands an emergency response."

A UK Government spokesperson said: “No child should be in poverty – that’s why our Ministerial Taskforce is looking at all available levers across government as it develops an ambitious strategy to tackle child poverty.

"Tackling child poverty is a core part of our mission to give everyone opportunity and grow the economy.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We will continue to do all we can within our powers and will leave no stone unturned across government as we seek to end child poverty. Modelling published in February estimates that our policies, including the Scottish Child Payment, will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.

“UK Government investment in social security could bring hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty across the UK. That is why we continue to call for the UK Government to abolish the two-child limit and the benefit cap, and to follow this government’s lead by matching the Scottish Child Payment."

Donations to Aberlour's poverty relief fundraising campaign can be made here: www.aberlour.org.uk/povertyreliefPretty sure I remember this mob "Aberlour" trust or something being involved in historic child abuse, I'd certainly not be donating a coin to them. Nothing you give to them is likely to make its way to poor people?

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/donald-trump-visit-scotland-despite-34145548

==Donald Trump to visit Scotland despite 'nasty' John Swinney move endorsing Kamala Harris

President-elect Trump will be in the country for the opening of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire.

Craig Meighan & Ryan Thom

19 NOV 2024

Donald Trump will visit Scotland in the next year after his son blasted John Swinney over endorsing his US Election rival. President-elect Trump will be in the country for the opening of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire.

It comes after son Eric Trump said the First Minister's remarks were "nasty". Eric Trump also told the PA news agency his father "is not going to lose any sleep over" and said: "I'm not sure it bothers him one bit."

Eric said the Scottish Government had made it “virtually impossible” to do business in the country. He suggested it was only his family’s “love” for the country that kept them investing.

Speaking at the Trump International Golf Links in Balmedie, Eric criticised Mr Swinney for intervening in the US election. Asked about his endorsement of President Trump’s Democratic rival, he said: “It’s certainly something I was aware about but it certainly wasn’t really something I cared too much about to tell you the truth.

“I mean, obviously [Swinney] read the temperature very wrong. He got it wrong. He got it very wrong because my father won decisively. And so, you know, endorsing a person three days before an election in a different country, and missing the mark by as much as it was missed by, you know, he read the tea leaves incorrectly.”

Eric Trump said the intervention was “a shame” and did not help either the US or Scotland. He added: “And now, all of a sudden, you have two countries that could have the greatest political relationship. Again, my father adores Scotland, and you have a First Minister coming out and just being fairly nasty in the days leading up.

“I mean, who did that benefit? Did that benefit Scotland? You know, you just asked about tariffs? Does that benefit that? If he ever needs to call my father and ask about tariffs or negotiate a base, does that benefit Scotland?"

Speaking to reporters at the Scottish Parliament just before the election, Mr Swinney said: “People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris. And I’ve not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.”

Following Mr Trump’s victory, Mr Swinney sent a letter to him saying that he wanted both countries to have a good relationship and wished the president-elect well. Eric said he still wanted to work with the Scottish Government, despite the comments.

He said: “I’ve always wanted a good relationship with the Scottish Government. I’m a guy who’s come over to Scotland 20 times a year and invested hundreds of millions dollars in a country.

“I’m a guy who saved, along with my father, some of the biggest iconic assets to Scotland – Turnberry – which was totally being run into the ground, and maybe the most iconic of the railroad hotels.”

Trump's son said he had meticulously designed the refurbishment of the resort, including investing hundreds of millions of dollars into it, adding: “And I’ve never really gotten so much as a thank you.”

Asked if Scotland was a good place to do business in, he said: “Truthfully, not really, and I hate to say that because I love Scotland more than anybody. I think the Government is doing everything they can to make it hard to invest in Scotland, and that pains me to say, and I wish I could literally have this conversation with the powers that be, but over 10 years they have put us through hell.

“And maybe it’s because of our stubbornness or resilience, or something along those lines, that we just kept coming back.”

He said what the Trump Organisation had to deal with would have “driven an ordinary company out 100 times over”. He continued: “Any company who really cares about maximising profit and wanting to get things done, it’s very hard, [it’s] very long to get permits, there are a lot of regulations, a lot of red tape, insane taxation, government leaders who just take pot shots at you for no reason whatsoever while you’re trying to employ thousands of people who depend on you to put food on the table to feed their families.

“I’ve seen it all. I’ve really seen it all, and it’s disappointing.”

>>21790676

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/humiliation-humza-yousaf-sworn-enemy-34129021

Humiliation for Humza Yousaf as sworn enemy Elon Musk steps in to help ScotRail

The national rail operator, owned by the Scottish Government, will use Starlink technology to enhance WiFi on services in northern Scotland despite the former SNP leader branding the US tycoon a 'race baiter'

Douglas Dickie

17 NOV 2024

Humza Yousaf has suffered another embarrassment after Elon Musk stepped in to help boost technology on Scottish trains. The former first minister is a fierce critic of the American billionaire and they pair have clashed on social media site X, which Musk owns.

Now, the American entrepreneur’s Starlink technology will be used to deliver the satellite internet via Clarus Networks Group on Class 158 trains on Scotland’s Far North Line. It will help passengers on trains to Inverness, Thurso and Wick access WiFi on journeys.

Starlink technology will also be used monitor the performance of trains as well as their safety systems. ScotRail was taken into public ownership in 2022 and is now effectively run by the Scottish Government.

Musk had previously branded Yousaf a racist “scumbag” in reference to his infamous ‘white’ speech at Holyrood while Yousaf accused the tycoon of scouring his private messages on X. He described Musk as a “race baiter” and “one of the most dangerous men on the planet”.

But that hasn’t stopped ScotRail from teaming up with the controversial businessman, who was this week appointed to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency by incoming US President Donald Trump. Musk described the partnership as “cool” while Scott Prentice, ScotRail strategy and planning director said: “We’re excited to partner with Clarus in testing Starlink on our trains.

“This collaboration advances our efforts to provide reliable connectivity for passengers, staff, and operational systems. By integrating Starlink’s satellite technology with our networks, we’re addressing long-standing communication challenges and enhancing the overall travel experience.”

The system works by feeding off a constellation of satellites which orbit 550km above Earth. Mike Butler, director of rail and innovation at Clarus said: “Our certification of the latest Starlink terminal specifically designed for trains is a game-changer for rail communications.

“By deploying this advanced satellite technology as an authorised reseller, we’re delivering unparalleled connectivity that transforms operational efficiency and the passenger experience. This solution offers reliable, high-speed connectivity even in remote locations, supporting real-time monitoring and immediate response crucial for track condition assessments and fault diagnosis.

“Enhanced safety systems, such as surveillance at unmanned crossings, significantly mitigate risks and improve incident response times. This marks a major advancement in our mission to bridge the digital divide and ensure secure, reliable communications throughout the rail network.”

>>21790655

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeane-freeman-admits-nhs-workers-34142258

Jeane Freeman admits NHS workers in Scotland had inadequate PPE during Covid

The former SNP health secretary admitted that none of her decisions on cancelling cancer screening and non-urgent hospital appointments were 'risk-free'

Ben Borland

19 NOV 2024

Jeane Freeman and Humza Yousaf are giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in London on Tuesday. The former health secretary was first to be grilled

At one stage, she was asked by Emma Price, counsel to the inquiry, "do you accept that at times healthcare workers in Scotland treating Covid-19 patients were doing so with inadequate PPE?"

Ms Freeman, who stood down as an MSP in 2021, replied: "I accept that at times healthcare workers in Scotland treating Covid patients did not have the ease of access to PPE that I would expect them to have and those were the issues that I set out to resolve."

Module three of the inquiry is examining the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems across the UK. And Ms Freeman was asked whether ministers had given "adequate consideration" to the indirect health harms resulting from Covid restrictions, such as the suspension of cancer screening and non-urgent elective work on March 17, 2020.

She replied that "none of the decision we were making were risk-free", adding: "They were always decisions about levels of harm and whether or not one could mitigate the harm that you anticipated would be caused by taking a particular decision."

Ms Freeman insisted the Scottish Government "never ruled out" the possibility that the Covid virus could spread by airborne transmission, despite then-national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch stating during the first lockdown that the virus "is not airborne - it has to be spread by droplets".

She said: "We never ruled out the possibility of aerosol distribution of the virus. While the focus was on droplet transmission, aerosol was never ruled out as a definite no in our minds so we were open to that."

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf, who replaced Ms Freeman as Health Secretary in May 2021, will give evidence to the inquiry later today.