Author Archives: Gordon Dangerfield

I did this interview with Tommy Sheridan for his podcast on the Sputnik website, in which Tommy and I attempt an overview of some main aspects of the Salmond stitch-up. I hope you’ll give it a listen. I’m working on a post which I hope to publish later today or early tomorrow. It’s titled AContinue reading “A POLITICAL WITCH HUNT”

It won’t surprise readers of this blog to learn that two of the Scottish Government’s most senior officials – Head of “People Advice” Judith Mackinnon and Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans – have once again given evidence to the Salmond inquiry which is contrary to the facts. In this and the next couple of posts I’llContinue reading “CONTRARY TO THE FACTS: THE EVIDENCE OF LESLIE EVANS AND JUDITH MACKINNON”

On 7 January 2021 my friend Mark Hirst was acquitted of the charge brought against him by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). His alleged crime had been the practice of journalism. The court made clear in upholding the defence submission of no case to answer that comments Mark had made on aContinue reading “THEY CAME FOR MARK HIRST”

I’ve just sent the following letter by email to SNP Councillor Mhairi Hunter who is, I understand, a close confidante of the First Minister. I’ll let readers of this blog know if I get a response, which I promise to publish here in full. Dear Ms Hunter I have been reading with interest your tweetsContinue reading “SEX AND GENDER: A REQUEST FOR CLARITY”

My apologies to readers who have been waiting for the promised expansion of my last post. I’m afraid that is turning into a very long post which I expect to publish this week. Meantime, Peter Murrell this morning must surely be the least impressive witness yet at the inquiry, and that is saying something. HeContinue reading “PETER MURRELL EXPLAINS WHY RETROSPECTIVE PROCEDURES ARE UNLAWFUL”

Yesterday, John Somers told the inquiry that he had no involvement in the development of the procedure which was used against Alex Salmond. This is not true. Somers, in his capacity as Nicola Sturgeon’s Principal Private Secretary, had a key role in developing the policy at a critical time. On Wednesday 6 December 2017, afterContinue reading “WHEN BLACK MEANS WHITE: THE ZANY WORLD OF THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT”

In an encouraging display of backbone, the Convenor of the Salmond inquiry has written to the Lord Advocate pointing out that if Barbara Allison and the Scottish Government can use COPFS as their own private data store, then maybe it’s time the Lord Advocate provided the same service for the inquiry. As the Convenor pointsContinue reading “THE INSTITUTIONAL BIAS OF COPFS”

Last Tuesday, Judith Mackinnon told the Salmond inquiry that: “I have experience in HR procedures and investigations. What I did not have was experience of a judicial review process. I did not understand the separate and distinct legal tests that take place in the judicial review process and would have found it beneficial to haveContinue reading “FUHGEDDABOUDIT”

A redacted version of the Open Record which sets out the pleadings of the parties as adjusted to the time when Leslie Evans and the Scottish Government finally conceded defeat was published by the Salmond inquiry on Friday. It contains page after page of shocking detail which should put to rest once and for allContinue reading “WHAT DID THE FIRST MINISTER KNOW AND WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT?”

One aspect of the First Minister’s abdication of her responsibilities which seems to have passed unnoticed in the Salmond inquiry is her decision to “recuse” herself from providing the Scottish Government’s evidence to it. It’s difficult to ascertain exactly when this decision was made or when it was first communicated, so I have submitted aContinue reading “STURGEON: “JE RECUSE””