/qresearch/ -  Q Research

>>24447939

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15687887/After-four-years-SNP-cover-ups-lies-Jason-Linden-sex-scandal-Minister-FINALLY-forced-say-sorry-victims.html

After four years of SNP cover-ups and lies over Jordan Linden sex scandal, First Minister is FINALLY forced to say sorry to his victims

HANNAH RODGER

28 March 2026

John Swinney has been forced to issue a grovelling apology to the victims of SNP sex predator Jordan Linden.

However, four years after complaints about twisted Linden were ignored by the SNP, the First Minister failed to own up to his party's failings over the scandal.

He finally said sorry today - three days after Linden was convicted of ten sex offences and after The Mail confronted him at a pro-independence rally.

But his apology was branded 'pathetic and grovelling' by his political opponents

His apology comes as three men abused by the 30-year-old former SNP council leader demand a probe into the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) by charity regulators and compare the organisation to the 'Hunger Games' – a dystopian film about teenagers who are forced to fight to the death.

Mr Swinney told the MoS: 'The first thing I want to say is I would apologise to anyone affected by the whole process and experience that has happened here.

'A lot of issues have come to light about Jordan Linden's conduct.'

He repeated that he has ordered an 'independent review' into the SNP's own examination of its complaints handling procedure from 2022, 'to ensure it is fit for purpose for the future' and said: 'We have to make sure that when it gets complaints it addresses them properly and I'm confident we will do that.'

Swinney claimed he had no prior knowledge of Linden's misconduct 'until it came into the public domain'.

But his apology has been branded 'pathetic and grovelling' by his political opponents.

Meghan Gallacher of the Scottish Conservatives said: 'John Swinney's pathetic, grovelling apology has come far too late and will cut little ice with Jordan Linden's victims, who were gaslit by the SNP in a desperate effort to protect the party's reputations.

'The victims of this predator and the Scottish public will find it hard to believe that 'Honest John' knew nothing about this scandal until it came into the public domain, when there were such frantic efforts in SNP circles to cover it up.

'It's vital that Swinney's supposedly independent review of SNP complaints procedures and safeguarding has the trust of Linden's victims.'

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie called for Swinney to 'come clean' about who in the SNP was responsible for the Linden 'cover-up'

She said: 'If he continues to refuse to do this there is only one conclusion to draw - John Swinney is not on the side of the victims of Jordan Linden's sexual abuse, he is on the side of those who covered up for the abuser.'

The party was first alerted to the predator's behaviour in 2017 by a concerned young SNP member and former member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, who had seen Linden's predatory behaviour first-hand.

The man, who showed the Mail on Sunday his emails to the SNP, told the party nearly a decade ago that he was 'concerned that Jordan Linden is not fit to represent the SNP as a political organisation.'

He explained what had happened within the SYP and said: 'I hope you do look into these details and question Jordan Linden on his previous conduct.'

In August 2022, when details of a Linden attacking a young SNP member in Dundee in 2019 were made public, the man once again contacted the SNP to raise the alarm.

He wrote: 'Given the various reports…in particular the 2019 incident…I believe it would be the best course of action to re-examine Linden's status within the party. Specifically the recent allegation that Linden sexually assaulted an individual…should be enough to look at this case again'.

His pleas were completely ignored and Linden remained an SNP member until resigning of his own accord in 2023.

Asked about the warning emails, Mr Swinney simply said he had 'no knowledge of this until it came into the public domain.'

A whistleblower councillor, who alleged he was assaulted and harassed by Linden at North Lanarkshire Council, said the SNP were 'complicit' in the cover-up of Linden's crimes.

Cameron McManus, who reported Linden to the police in 2023, said: 'The SNP are complicit in this. They were warned, not only by me, but others, about Linden and they did nothing.

'Their announcement of a review into their processes is an utter nonsense, because they did the same thing years ago and the outcome has never been made public.

'They have to make clear what the outcome was, and why what they are doing now is different.

'This is an attempt to ignore questions about Jordan before the election. It is completely unacceptable.'

>>24444594

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-63838881

Ex-SNP councillor jailed for six years for sex attacks on teenage boys

2 December 2022

A former SNP councillor found guilty of grooming and abusing six teenage boys has been jailed for six years.

Mark Kerr attempted to rape one boy at his home in North Lanarkshire and assaulted another boy at a food bank.

During a two-week trial, the 40-year-old claimed he was the victim of a vendetta which had seen him hounded from the village of Croy.

However, a judge described the abuse as "a systematic and deliberate course of conduct".

At the High Court in Paisley, judge Douglas Brown told Kerr: "You spent time with teenage boys, tried to engage them in sexually charged conversations and took advantage of opportunities to assault them.

"You took advantage of one of the boys while he was asleep and attempted to rape him."

Some of the victims and their relatives were at court to see Kerr sentenced.

There were cries of "justice" and "yes" as Kerr, who now lives in Wishaw, was jailed.

Prosecutors had described him as a "predator hiding in plain sight".

Most of the offences dated from before he was elected as a councillor for the Kilsyth ward in 2017.

'Lacking remorse and empathy'

The boy he attempted to rape was aged 15 at the time.

He went on to grope his final victim at a food bank in Croy in May 2020.

The court heard a pre-sentencing report had found Kerr was "lacking remorse and empathy" for the victims.

David Taylor, defending, said: "He tells me he regards sexual offending as abhorrent and, in no way, condones that behaviour.

"It is his view that he was not guilty."

Kerr was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

Det Insp Colin Moffat, of Police Scotland's National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, welcomed the six-year sentence.

He said: "Kerr was in a position of responsibility and trust as a local politician but he preyed on teenagers, one of whom he met at an official function. He befriended them and betrayed them.

"I welcome his conviction and placement on the Sexual Offenders Register.

"Our thoughts are very much with his victims and their bravery in coming forward is commended. I hope they now get some closure with his sentencing."

>>24450047

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yx8rdryr0o

Former SNP candidate accused of sex offences

Phil Sim

31 March 2026

A former SNP election candidate is being investigated by police over a report of sex offences.

Fife councillor Stefan Hoggan was due to stand for the party in North East Fife, but dropped out earlier this month for "personal reasons". He also quit the party.

Police Scotland said it was investigating a report of sexual offences in the Cupar and Edinburgh areas, received this month, and that inquiries were ongoing.

In a social media post, Hoggan said that he would "completely refute" the allegations, alleging they were part of "a vile and disgusting vendetta" against him.

Hoggan - who was a para-athlete before beginning a career in politics - said he was co-operating with police and would make a full statement in due course.

A SNP spokesperson said Hoggan had resigned as a candidate and a SNP member once a complaint was received.

They added: "The SNP advised the complainant that whilst the party would progress a complaint about safeguarding, any alleged criminal behaviour would be rightly a matter for the police.

"Advice and support was offered to the complainant on how to progress a complaint to the police."

Lindsay Thomson, Fife Council's head of legal and democratic services said the local authority had not received any complaints about Hoggan.

She added that the council would "take any safeguarding measures possible" as the police investigation continues.

>>24355997

>>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp385p1vvn8o

Ex-councillor sentenced over child sex offences

20 March 2026

A former Labour councillor who sent a nude video of himself to someone he thought was a 13-year-old schoolgirl has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Liron Velleman, 31, used the alias "Tim Graham 95" to send his messages on an online chatroom and Snapchat, unaware he was talking to an undercover police officer.

His messages between 3 and 10 December 2024 culminated in him stripping down to his underwear and urging for the girl to send pictures of herself in her underwear.

Appearing at Southwark Crown Court, he was handed an eight-month prison sentence suspended for the next 15 months and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for the next 10 years.

Prosecutor Edmund Blackman said the undercover officer, using the name Kaylee, was approached by Velleman on messaging service Chatib at the start of December 2024.

"He was told from the off that she was 13, and he maintained an interest in her," he said.

"The chat moved to Snapchat, and it became sexual quite quickly."

The messages continued over the course of several days, during which Velleman talked about sex acts before sending a video of his penis, Mr Blackman said.

Velleman resigned as a Labour councillor for the ward of Whetstone in Barnet, north London, after his arrest for child sexual offences.

He pleaded guilty in February having been charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity.

During sentencing, Judge James Lofthouse told Velleman: "You know you have no one to blame for the disintegration of your personal and professional life but yourself.

"This is where your reckless, vile and frankly devious interest in children has led you."

Velleman, of North Finchley, was supported in court by his parents, as the judge also ordered him to carry out 180 hours of community service and 20 rehabilitation days as part of his suspended prison sentence.

He will be under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next 10 years, and must also pay £150 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

>>24355997

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>>24450047

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/peter-murrell-told-sick-jordan-36970089

Peter Murrell was told of sick Jordan Linden complaints a DECADE ago as SNP crisis deepens

The Nats' then-chief executive was told – in person – about an investigation into complaints from youngsters about the predator as far back as 2016

Ben Borland

04 Apr 2026

The crisis at the top of the SNP deepened dramatically tonight after the bombshell revelation that Peter Murrell was told about sexual misconduct complaints against a shamed party figure – ten years ago.

Former North Lanarkshire Council leader Jordan Linden, 30, was convicted last month of sexually assaulting young men and sending sexual messages to boys as young as 14. The offences spanned a period from 2011 to 2022.

First Minister John Swinney has apologised to his victims but insisted he was never aware of the concerns around Linden's conduct. Before he was promoted to one of Scotland's leading local authority roles, the predator was a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP).

And Amy Lee Fraioli, who joined the SYP board as a teenager in 2016, said they received a number of complaints about young SYP members being sent sexual images from Linden. Controversially, instead of calling the police, the organisation, under the leadership of chief executive Ben McKendrick, chose to bring in a private law firm to investigate the complainants.

But Ms Fraioli told the Scottish Mail on Sunday that there was no question that SNP leadership knew about what was going on, with Mr Murrell – who was then the chief executive of the party, alongside his now-estranged wife Nicola Sturgeon as party leader – kept fully in the loop.

She said: "At the time we were based on the ground floor of Gordon Lamb house in Edinburgh, and the SNP were the floor above. At that point Jordan worked for the MSP Richard Lyle. He was also a member of the SNP and Young Scots for Independence [the youth wing of the Nats].

"As a board, we had a conversation and Ben McKendrick decided that he had to go upstairs and speak to Peter Murrell and tell him that we were going to conduct this investigation into Jordan and the complaints. That took place. He went up and he spoke to Peter Murrell, he informed him of the investigation and the fact that it was taking place at that time in 2016.

"Ben put it to us that that was something he wanted to do and he reported back to us on the fact that he had done it. So the SNP were aware even then that there were allegations against Jordan."

>>24475896

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

Now aged 27, she went on to become chairwoman of the SYP in 2017 before leaving in 2019 to work as a parliamentary aide at Holyrood and Westminster. Mr McKendrick, 47, is still running the SYP.

And Ms Fraioli's revelations have cast major doubt on Mr Swinney's claim to be unaware of the Linden complaints before they were made public in 2022. Mr Murrell is the highest ranking SNP figure to have been informed, ahead of Health Secretary Neil Gray and other figures in the Lanarkshire branch.

Scottish Conservative candidate Meghan Gallacher said: "Those at the very top of the SNP were informed of their former rising star's predatory behaviour a decade ago and yet they spent years stonewalling complaints and gaslighting his victims."

She added: "This revelation underlines the length and scale of the SNP's betrayal of Linden's victims. It also casts further doubt on John Swinney's protestation that he knew nothing about the Linden scandal until it entered the public domain several years later. If Swinney thinks belatedly sacking an SNP candidate who defended Linden will make this go away, he's wrong. He and his party still have serious questions to answer."

'It took brave reporting to expose vile predator'

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "If it is the case that Peter Murrell knew about these complaints, it confirms that Linden's behaviour has been known about at the most senior level of the SNP for a decade, yet it took the brave reporting of journalists to expose this vile predator.

"Swinney has been at the heart of this SNP government for 19 years. It seems inconceivable that he simply had no idea about what was going on within the party that has been his entire life. He must make a televised statement setting out exactly what he knew and when."

This latest twist was revealed by Scottish Mail on Sunday chief reporter Hannah Rodger, who was at the Sunday Mail when she first broke the story – and revealed last week how she had been subjected to threats from a masked man when she went to North Lanarkshire to ask questions.

Many offences occurred while Linden, from Bellshill in Lanarkshire, was chair of the SYP. After he was convicted by a jury at Falkirk Sheriff Court, he was placed on the sex offenders register before being released on bail ahead of his sentencing on May 5.

A spokesman for the SNP said: "We have undertaken a comprehensive review of our complaints procedures since 2016, but in light of this case the party leader, John Swinney, has instructed that an independent review of these procedures be conducted.

"This will ensure that people are protected and our complaints procedures are as robust as they can be. More generally, the SNP welcomes the verdict against Mr Linden and commends the bravery of the individuals who came forward and shared their experiences with the police."

>>24355997

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>>24450086

>>24450047

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/paedophile-lawyer-allowed-keep-working-36299073

Paedophile lawyer allowed to keep working months after admitting vile crimes

One “disgusted” legal insider called for an urgent probe yesterday after Alan Eccles, from Giffnock, near Glasgow, had his practising certificate renewed despite being sentenced for a string of “despicable” offences in June.

Sally Hind

25 Nov 2025

A paedophile lawyer who engaged in child abuse chat and shared sick images of kids has been allowed to keep working months after admitting his vile crimes.

One “disgusted” legal insider called for an urgent probe yesterday after Alan Eccles, from Giffnock, near Glasgow, had his practising certificate renewed despite being sentenced for a string of “despicable” offences in June.

Eccles, a former lawyer for the Scottish Youth Parliament, was spared jail and sentenced to 300 hours of community service after admitting to engaging in online conversations about the sexual abuse of children.

He also pled guilty to sharing indecent photos of children and an intimate picture of a woman in 2023.

But Law Society of Scotland procedures mean a sentence of less than a year in prison does not trigger a suspension - and he has now had his application to renew his license to operate granted, giving him the right to continue working as a lawyer.

The 44-year-old has an active business website describing him as “caring” and a “consummate professional”.

The procedure allowing Eccles to continue practicing was branded “shameful” by an opposition MSP.

Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said: “The public will be appalled to learn that this predatory offender has not only escaped jail but, as a result of his lenient sentence, is able to continue practising law.

“The failure to properly punish him and uphold public safety is shameful.”

In June, Eccles was tagged for eight months as he was handed his community-based sentence at Paisley Sheriff Court, which included a three-year supervision order. He was also added to the sex offenders’ register for three years.

His lawyer John Scullion KC told the court the offences took place when his mental health was poor, saying: “He accepts full responsibility.”

Sheriff Bruce Erroch told first offender Eccles his behaviour was “despicable”.

Eccles’ profile was removed from the Law Society’s pages following his conviction but later reinstated.

Lawyers are charged a fee to renew their practising certificate with the Law Society every year.

The society’s new practise year started this month, with details of Eccles’ Hillington-based business remaining on the register.

>>24477229

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

Eccles’ webpage features references from legal professionals, describing him as a “consummate professional”.

Another said: “Alan is caring, empathetic and is dedicated to providing the best outcomes for clients. He has the technical knowledge and professionalism to meet client needs.”

One outraged lawyer said: “The Law Society of Scotland have, this month, renewed Alan Eccles’ practising certificate for the year 2025-2026, just months after you reported that he plead guilty to child sex offences.

“I believe this warrants an investigation. As a practicing solicitor, I will be raising this with Law Society of Scotland myself.

“You can imagine my disgust and dismay.”

Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill added: “It is worrying that Alan Eccles is still freely practising law given the appalling crimes he committed.

“It is vital that appropriate safeguards are in place while any appropriate checks and procedures are carried out.”

The Law Society of Scotland’s Executive Director of Regulation, Rachel Wood, said: “Where we have reason to believe that one of our members has not met the high professional standards expected of them we will take action.

“By law, we have powers to suspend a solicitor from practice in limited circumstances, which include where a solicitor has been convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more. Other disciplinary measures are available where that threshold is not met but a solicitor is still able to practice pending the conclusion and outcome of the disciplinary process.

“Due to our successful lobbying…we will have enhanced powers to suspend solicitors in the future.

“All complaints against solicitors must be raised with the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission in the first instance. In exceptional cases, we can initiate that process ourselves.

“If the SLCC deems a complaint to be eligible, cases concerning the conduct of a solicitor are passed to us to investigate and we can make a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct or if appropriate, we will prosecute the solicitor before the independent Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT).

“The SSDT decides whether they are guilty of professional misconduct and on any sanction. It can censure, fine or restrict solicitors’ practice. In the most serious cases the SSDT can strike a solicitor off the roll.”

When approached by the Record, Eccles said there was “nothing unusual” that he has a practising certificate.

He added: “I am not aware of any such complaint as you have outlined having been made.”

>>24477229

>>24477236

>>24355997

>>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

More than 6,000 indecent images found on guilty ex-BBC producer's devices

Jordan Davies

BBC Wales, Reporting fromCardiff Crown Court

Published

10 April 2026, 15:00 BST

Updated 6 hours ago

A former BBC Wales producer has been found guilty of possessing or making more than 6,200 indecent images of children.

Dylan Dawes, 50, had been downloading the images over a 16-year period, using a hard drive, a compact laptop and two iPads.

His catalogue of images also included 192 of the most serious kind - classed as category A, the most serious.

The four-day trial at Cardiff Crown Court heard Dawes searched the term "jailbait" in Google, and all of the indecent images were saved in a file named, "Dylan Account" on his computer.

He was found guilty on all six charges.

Dawes claimed he allowed BBC colleagues to use his devices and hard drive for work, and someone else must have downloaded the images.

But judge Eugene Egan said the jury found Dawes guilty on what they found to be "overwhelming evidence".

Dawes joined the BBC in 2001. BBC Wales declined to comment.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

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>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement ofKPW(Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 21-22 of 47

>>24493373

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>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement ofKPW(Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 23-24 of 47

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24355965 Final Abuse Bun

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>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement ofKPW(Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 25-26 of 47

>>24493373

>>24493388

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>>24378079

>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement ofKPW(Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 25-26 of 47

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>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement ofKPW(Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 25-26 of 47

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>>24380466

>>24381469

>>24381701

>>24493373

>>24493388

>>24496212

https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/sites/default/files/2026-02/%28Peter%29%20KPW%20Witness%20Statement.pdf

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Witness Statement ofKPW(Peter)

Support person present: Yes - Craig Christie , Solicitor, Drummond Miller, Glasgow.

Pages 27-28 of 47

>>24498043

>>24498044

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snps-secret-scotland-blamed-police-37002284

'SNP's secret Scotland' blamed for Police Scotland's huge spend on gagging orders

Exclusive: The Scottish Government's secretive culture was blamed for £2.8m being spent on non-disclosure agreements by Police Scotland.

David Walker

12 Apr 2026

The SNP's "secret Scotland" has been blamed for Police Scotland spending a huge £2.8m on gagging orders in just five years - with this being paid out to employees so they can't speak about their employment. The cash-strapped force has complained about not getting enough funding from the Scottish Government, meaning police numbers may have to be slashed again.

But according to a freedom of information request by the Scottish Daily Express, it has managed to find a lot of money for non-disclosure agreements, basically using taxpayer cash to stop whistleblowing. The sums of cash were used to settle claims including discrimination, unfair dismissal, and harassment.

The SNP Executive oversees the police force and have been caught up repeatedly in its own secrecy scandals, fighting the Scottish Information Commissioner in court repeatedly to block the release of documents. Most recently, it was to block files relating to whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code.

Gagging orders were signed with both officers and civilian staff and relate to employment tribunals, with the recipient usually unable to speak out thanks to the compensation payout. The most high-profile case was in 2022 when the force paid out £940,000 to former firearms office Rhona Malone after a tribunal found she had also been discriminated against after complaining about a sexist email.

According to the request, a total of four NDAs were signed in 2021, costing £63,801, then 19 were settled in 2022 at a cost of £417,750. The highest cost came in 2023 when 14 gagging orders were noted, with a bill of £2.1m. In 2024, there were five at £182,500 and there were two last year, reaching £58,000.

Critics slated the huge amount spent on these deals, especially with the financial struggles of the force. Scottish Conservative candidate for Aberdeenshire East Douglas Lumsden told the Scottish Daily Express: “The eye-watering sum spent on gagging orders is yet another example of the SNP’s secret Scotland.

“Millions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash has been spent to stop police officers speaking out – this isn’t just a misuse of public cash, it’s a nefarious example of the SNP’s lack of transparency. The threat of the SNP getting a majority is very real, and if they do, they’ll continue to resist accountability – that’s why you need to vote Scottish Conservative on your peach ballot paper.”

Just last month, Police Scotland cut the number of special sick pay arrangements offered to officers due to financial worries. Under the current rules, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has the discretion to allow officers to continue to receive full or half pay to which they would not be entitled under the force’s absence regulations.

But in a letter to one officer, the service’s head of human resources said their sick pay would not be extended after the arrangement was tightened. The force sought a £105 million uplift, but received only £90 million.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Compensation payments are dealt with on a case-by-case basis with a view to securing best value for the public purse. The organisation has introduced learning processes in order to support the understanding of managers of how they can support their people and ensure that all opportunities are taken to resolve matters in advance of escalation.”

>>24501173

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/16150097/glasgow-restaurateurs-jailed-680-k-vat-fraud/

TAX BILL SCAM Owners of Glasgow restaurants Halloumi & Pickled Ginger jailed over massive £680k VAT fraud

Connor Gordon

13 Apr 2026

A TYCOON indy backer who rubbed shoulders with former First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf has been nailed alongside two restaurant bosses over a huge VAT scam.

Dodgy accountant Khalid Javid, 67, recklessly made false statements on HMRC returns that cost the taxman more than £136,000.

Leading restaurateurs Antonio Carbajosa, 41, and Kevin Campbell, 44, were also busted in the probe.

The pair ran a group of venues in Glasgow including Cranside Kitchen, Pickled Ginger and Halloumi.

Carbajosa and Campbell previously pleaded guilty to VAT fraud totalling £682,882 between November 2011 and October 2016.

Khalid – who repeatedly posed for pics with Ms Sturgeon including at Bute House – meantime admitted recklessly making a statement which was false in that he submitted VAT returns for two companies.

He had been due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow today but pleaded guilty.

Carbajosa and Campbell were sentenced to three years each for their crimes while sentence was deferred on Khalid.

The court heard that Carbajosa and Campbell were associates who ran various restaurants and takeaways across Glasgow.

It was stated that the pair “acted together in a co-ordinated way” in the lucrative scam.

>>24511215

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

The men “suppressed” the true value of sales for their limited companies that were registered.

Javid’s accountancy firm KA Javid & Co were instructed by Carbajosa and Campbell.

The accountant created the dodgy duo’s VAT returns and dealt with other matters such as PAYE, corporation tax as well as annual returns to Companies House.

Carbajosa and Campbell meantime were responsible for creating and maintaining business records to calculate VAT.

Prosecutor Wojciech Jajdelski said: “Carbajosa and Campbell did not comply with the VAT requirements in order to profit, in the longer term, from their restaurant businesses by not accounting for all of the VAT due to HMRC.

“Carbajosa and Campbell were also able to take more money out of the companies as their personal income than they otherwise would have been able to do.”

The hearing was told that VAT was to be added to goods and services supplied which would be accounted to HMRC.

Despite some of the businesses selling sushi takeaway food which required no VAT, most of the supplies were subject to 20 percent tax.

The offending came to light of HMRC investigators due to initial discrepancies in returns from two of the businesses.

This resulted in Operation Keyholder and a forensic accounting report was prepared between August 2012 and October 2016.

Furthermore, three of the companies were not registered for VAT and did not pay tax on sales generated by them.

Mr Jajdelski said: “This was done personally or through Khalid Javid and/or his staff on VAT returns submitted to HMRC.

“Carbajosa and Campbell knew that the sales information provided in the VAT returns were false.”

The advocate depute stated that HMRC made a total loss of £136,576 from Javid’s actions.

Mr Jajdelski said: “In relation to two of the companies, Mr Javid recklessly made statements in the relevant VAT returns which were false.”

This included failing to give the correct sales and output VAT as well as seek clarification from the two men about figures.

It was also said a twenty percent reduction to all sales figures without a “proper factual basis” was carried out.

Javid, of Stepps, Lanarkshire, has twice posted pics on social media of him at Edinburgh’s Bute House with ex-Nats chief Ms Sturgeon.

In another he’s seen speaking at a Scots Asians for Independence event before the 2014 referendum, watched by then-First Minister Alex Salmond and Ms Sturgeon.

And a snap posted in 2019, but thought to be from years earlier, shows him alongside new SNP leader Mr Yousaf.

Javid was linked to a Holyrood probe in 2010 after it emerged that he paid £2,000 at a Glasgow auction event for lunch with then deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Javid had bid £260 the previous year for a tour of the Scottish Parliament.

Following the SNP saying that none of these events had taken place and no donations had been received, the complaints against Miss Sturgeon and then First Minister Alex Salmond were dismissed.

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/16167048/cops-nab-paedo-watching-child-abuse-material-on-train/

BEHIND BARS Moment cops pounce on paedo after passenger saw him watching child sex abuse material on the TRAIN

Bruno Brown

17 Apr 2026

THIS is the moment a creep is arrested on a train after a disturbed passenger saw him looking at indecent images as they travelled.

Sicko David Johnson was caught after a horrified fellow traveller spotted him watching child abuse videos on his phone during a journey to London.

Police body worn footage shows officers storming onto the train as it arrives at Euston Station and cuff the creep.

Johnson appeared puzzled and said “I haven’t” as an officer states the reason for his arrest.

The shocked witness who reported Johnson was sitting behind him when he saw the fiend opening a video showing a young child being abused.

Johnson then switched chats where someone asked: “what kinds of videos do you like? I have all kinds”.

Johnson chillingly replied: “just kids videos”.

Stunned by what he had heard, the witness texted his partner about what he was seeing.

When he looked again, Johnson was watching another clip involving an even younger child.

The shaken passenger moved carriage before alerting British Transport Police using its 61016 text service.

Officers raced to meet the train at London Euston railway station where Johnson was arrested.

The court later heard how, at around midday on September 23 last year, Johnson had been travelling from Stafford to London when he was spotted.

A search revealed his phone wallpaper was itself an indecent image of a child.

In custody, he even asked if he could have his property back because he “needed to delete some stuff”.

He gave no comment in interview.

Further searches uncovered nearly 200 indecent images on his phone, including 105 in the most serious category.

Detectives also found messages showing he believed he was speaking to a 13-year-old girl and had arranged to meet her for sex.

Another chat suggested he was trying to see the same child, but was told she was unwell.

Officers later established the girl did not exist.

Johnson, of Francis Chichester Way, Wandsworth, admitted six counts of making indecent images of children, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and arranging or facilitating a child sex offence.

He was jailed for two years and three months at Inner London Crown Court on April 1.

Johnson was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the sex offenders register for a decade.

Detective Constable Victoria Lowth said: “The quick thinking and courage of the man who saw Johnson’s phone meant that we were able to quickly arrest him and uncover the scale of his offending.

“I’d like to offer our sincerest thanks to that man, whose actions have directly led to Johnson’s imprisonment.

“Behind every image and video Johnson owned is a vulnerable child that has been exploited and abused.

“He is clearly a danger to children and has rightly been handed substantial jail sentence, and stringent conditions have been put in place to prevent him from offending further.

“We will always do everything we can to make the railway a hostile place for criminals, and especially those whose offending targets children.”