scotlandisdifferent

Dear Patrick, I can't see why you sent me this. If it's a response to my claim that there's major corruption at the head of the Scottish establishment (and let me repeat, there is), it's tosh. Or to put it another way, I'm sorry to say that I find myself unpersuaded by the points you make: 1. "Police Scotland are operationally independent of Government and cannot be instructed to investigate". Police Scotland allocated 35 officers over two years, and untold public funds, digging  up dirt on Alex Salmond going back ten years. On the basis of what they found, fourteen charges were brought, and on fourteen of those charges Alex Salmond was acquitted. Police Scotland must be either thick as mince or eminently biddable (or both). 2. "This is one of the fundamental principles of our police system." Well, it would be if it was, but it isn't. 3. "COPFS (the Crown Prosecution Service) cannot instruct the police." I didn't say they could....

Dear Derek   Thanks for getting back to me.   Please be assured that, if there’s any credible evidence of criminal activity in Scotland, this will be examined by Police Scotland.   It may be helpful if I explain that Police Scotland are operationally independent of Government and cannot be instructed to investigate – or not to investigate – any evidence of criminality. This is one of the fundamental principles of our police system.   Similarly, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), who are Scotland's prosecution service, are entirely independent of the Police and cannot instruct, or be instructed, by them in these matters.   As you're aware, there is an ongoing and wide-ranging inquiry in the Scottish Parliament into all aspects of the handling of complaints against Alex Salmond, with which the Scottish Government are collaborating. If the Committee conducting the inquiry, which includes opposition MSPs, were to discover a...

Dear Patrick, Thank you for your reply. The administration of the Salmond inquiry isn't the issue; the issue is that there have been credible reports of a serious crime - perverting the course of justice - by the First Minister and others, and those reports require investigation by Police Scotland. If the Scottish Government is instructing Police Scotland not to investigate, then you as a member of that government are complicit in that dereliction of duty. Be aware that there is real anger among the electorate over this issue, and that if the government does not act, the SNP will get a kicking in the 2021 election. I will do my best to foster that kicking. And any MPs who don't take action on this issue will get their kicking in 2024. With all my best wishes for your political future, Derek Rogers  

Dear Derek   Many thanks for your email and for sharing your concerns with me.   As you'll appreciate, the administration of the inquiry into the handling of complaints against Alex Salmond is a matter for the Scottish Parliament. As a Scottish MP at Westminster I don't have direct involvement in this process. My understanding is that the inquiry is ongoing and the Scottish Government have committed to co-operating with this process.   If you wish to discuss this issue further I'd encourage you to contact your local Member of the Scottish Parliament. You can find out who your local MSP is using the postcode checker here.   Best wishes   Patrick -- Patrick Grady Member of Parliament for Glasgow North Chief Whip, SNP Westminster Group  

On the constituency ballot, write the word CORRUPT against the SNP logo. Those at the count (who include party observers, as well as officials) will see it, and get the message. Write nothing else. One word is enough. More words only confuse them. On the list ballot, vote for the party of your choice. If it's still the SNP, Lord help you.  

To: patrick.grady.mp@parliament.uk Dear Patrick, For the record, I am your constituent at [address], and an SNP party member. You will be aware of the corruption among Scottish politicians described by Craig Murray here and here , as well as by others, and I urge you to make moves that will bring these scum - all of them - to justice. If you would avoid doing this because it might damage your career, I put it to you that you should act on the side of political integrity, personal honesty, and Scotland. Best regards, Derek Rogers

Three additional shopping loads: Waitrose, 1st December 2020 Union Jack: eggs, mushrooms (2 items). The word "British": chicken, lamb (2 items). Saltire: none (0 items). The word "Scottish": cream (1 item). No mark: bananas, beer, blueberries, bread, broccoli, cake, cheerios, chocolate, cooking oil, fruit juice, grapes, lentils, milk, pears, pilchards, salad, sardines, shortbread, wine (19 items). So for Waitrose, 4 items out of 24 (17%) were marked with Jacks or as "British", one out of 24 (4%) as "Scottish". It seems clear where their sympathies lie. Morrison's, 9th December 2020 Union Jack: beef mince, cream, potatoes (3 items). The word "British": none (0 items). Saltire: eggs, milk, mushrooms, shortbread (4 items). The word "Scottish": milk (1 item). No mark: apples, beer, bread, cake, cheerios, empire biscuits, fruit juice, grapes, halloumi, jam, onions, red cabbage, salad, stock cubes, swee...