Who's A Naughty Boy Then?

"SCOTTISH SECRETARY Jim Murphy was last night under pressure to resign after he leaked sensitive financial information about a fresh bid for the troubled bank HBOS. Murphy confirmed to journalists on Friday evening that he had been involved in discussions with Jim Spowart, the Fife financier, about an alternative to a proposed takeover by Lloyds TSB. Spowart, who had wanted the discussions to be secret, is furious Murphy confirmed the pair had been talking before a bid had crystallised. Earlier on Friday, Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, gave his approval for the deal with Lloyds in spite of warnings from the Office of Fair Trading that the merged superbank would stifle competition for high street and business banking. Opposition parties accused Murphy of confirming the alternative bid in order to nip it in the bud and allow the government to press ahead with its preferred takeover by Lloyds."

It is critical that public officials observe confidences as part of their government duties. But Mr Murphy won't resign. And surely the bigger issue anyway is that if there are backers for an alternative to the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB then they should get on with it and table the proposal. Talk is cheap when so many Scottish jobs are at stake.

Homesick Blues.

"SNP candidate Peter Grant was branded "half-hearted" for saying he would quit as an MP after just five years. The Nats' candidate for Glenrothes said he would be "homesick" after five years at Westminster, if he is elected. He also believes Scotland will be independent by then and have no MPs at Westminster."

It will be interesting to see if Mr Grant is right, and more to the point whether the voters of Glenrothex will give him the chance to be homesick.

King Of Freebies?

And Mr Smith is reminded of more of the previous form of the new Secretary of State for Scotland Mr Jim Murphy MP.

"Anti-obesity campaigners, including a government adviser, have criticised the MPs, MSPs and members of the Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies who accepted £15,000 of hospitality from the fast-food giant to attend the event in Cardiff. They were put up in the £250-a-night Marriott hotel, where they were treated to a lavish dinner and a free bar in the company of former footballers, including Kenny Dalglish and Sir Geoff Hurst. The politicians were also given complimentary tickets to the Community Shield match between Manchester United and Arsenal, all courtesy of McDonald’s. The day before, they took part in an inter-parliamentary competition in which they wore T-shirts emblazoned with the company’s golden arches logo. Preparations are under way for a similar event at this year’s Community Shield. The parliamentary teams included Frank McAveety, the sports minister, Robin Harper, the Green MSP, and Jim Murphy, the Scots MP and a vegetarian, dubbed “the King of freebies” at Westminster. Murphy was one of 24 members of the all-party football team who accepted a £25,000 trip to Euro 2004 in Portugal as guests of McDonald’s earlier this month. The hospitality package included return flights, accommodation at a four-star hotel, free meals and drinks and tickets to England’s opening match against France."

Un-Sportsmanlike Behaviour.

Surely our elected representatives should be setting a much higher standard?

"A TEAM of MSPs was branded "an absolute disgrace" after a football match in which they were involved was called off when tempers boiled over. The match at Lesser Hampden in Glasgow on Sunday was stopped after about 55 minutes when the game threatened to descend into a mass brawl following a number of contentious challenges between the politicians and their opponents, a team of sports journalists."

And one of them was Chic Young. Well ... that might mske their actions understandable, even if not excuseable.

IT'S CHRISTMAS ... Not.

"IT might not have quite the same cachet as a personally-signed Christmas card from Scarlett Johanssen or George Clooney. But many people are pleased to receive festive greetings from their MSP – a special card from Holyrood, if not Hollywood. However, Scottish Parliament bosses have now decided to scrap the exclusive Christmas cards which MSPs can buy to send to their friends and contacts after a drop in sales. "

Mr Smith always used to look forward to receiving his MSP Christmas card, but if nothing else it will stop Murdo Fraser MSP this year coming out with his perennial complaint about the Scottish Parliament authorities taking the religious aspects out of the design for the cards.

Bah humbug to one an all.

Scotland For Obama.

Good to see that Scotland is playing such a prominent part in the Obama 08 campaign.

Blog Off.

When is a blog not a blog? When access to it is by "invitation" only .

Mr Smith sees that Scottish Labour Party hackette, PATSY, and putative candidate for the Glenrothes by-election Kezia Dugdale has turned her blog into a "friends only" website using the new facilities offered by eblogger.

Each to their own Kezia, but whatever happened to the battle of ideas? Mr Smith sees the white flag fluttering ...

Losing Poll Position.

"SUPPORT for the Scottish National party has plummeted following criticism of Alex Salmond’s handling of the international financial crisis. A YouGov poll for The Sunday Times reveals the SNP has lost its lead over Labour at Westminster as voters back Gordon Brown to lead Scotland out of the downturn. The results suggest the nationalists now face an uphill battle to win the Glenrothes seat from Labour in next month’s by-election."

The shape of things to come perhaps? But more fundamentally perhaps Scottish voters see the merits of being part of a bigger country during the tough times around the corner?

Separated At Birth?

Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott MSP ... and an eagle.

Honesty Pays ...

... Except it seems amongst Edinburgh's Councillors.

"TIGHT-FISTED councillors are still burdening taxpayers with the cost of their lunches after refusing to put money in an "honesty box" at the City Chambers. Figures revealed to the Evening News show that a shortfall of more than £900 has been run up in just the past five months."

They're dodgy.

Cop That.

"A CIVILIAN worker stole £120,000 from a police station - then buried it in his garden. But Robert Moffat, 43, was caught after embarking on a massive spending spree. He splashed out on a new bathroom, a motorbike, a car and a holiday. The cash had been seized as evidence in a drugs case then left in a hold-all at Hamilton police station. Moffat, 43, worked in the production room there. But it took months for cops to realise the huge stash of cash was missing."

At least the cops got him in the end, but if did take them months. Does that make them bad cops?

Trivial Pursuits.

Fresh from unanimously backing proposals for the creation of a register of Scottish tartans, it would appear that Members of the Scottish Parliament are now forming an orderly queue to pursue a range of other worthy and equally meaningless gesture political causes at Holyrood.

"THE world-famous Stornoway black pudding could be given European protection to stop imitations. An MSP is seeking a protected designation order for the marag dubh, as it is known in Gaelic. If successful, only butchers on the Isle of Lewis will be able to make it. The pudding, a favourite of celebrity chefs, is traditionally made in Stornoway. Each firm uses its own secret recipe. But butchers in Glasgow and Edinburgh have been selling their own versions as Stornoway black pudding. Labour's Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock is hoping to get the support of the Scottish parliament for an approach to Europe's Agricultural and Rural Development Directorate."

World-famous? Come on give us a break.

"NATIONALIST MSP Christine Grahame is leading a campaign to repatriate the body of Mary, Queen of Scots, from Westminster Abbey."

Come on. Do MSPs really have nothing better to do with their time than this trivia?

The Youth Parly.

For those of you who missed them, more shenanigans from our largely self-appointed and largely irrelevant Members of Scotland's Youth Parliament (MSYPs).

"The Edinburgh chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament has reportedly been suspended after an alcohol-fuelled party. The story emerged just days after the SYP beat government plans to stop serving alcohol to under-21s in off licences. It is understood that SYP chairman Kieran Collins, 24, a law student, (not pictured) was suspended along with a colleague for causing a disturbance in a hotel last month, after a two-day conference in Hamilton."

What again exactly is the point of the Scottish Youth Parliament? The official version of what happened in Hamilton is on the SYP website.

But interestingly in the organisations's set of accounts for 2006-7, they state "The total incoming resources for the period were £658,145 (2006: £265,224) and the total outgoing resources were £323,048 (2006: £242,026) resulting in a net operating surplus of £335,097 (2006: surplus £23,198)." This is one Parly that seems to be very big business for all those involved.

The Illiberal Democrat.

And another dodgy Councillor to boot.

"CITY education leader Marilyne MacLaren has been rebuked by the council's chief executive for "exceeding her authority" by banning a parent from a public forum. The move comes as the parent involved rejected an apology from the education leader."

Not so Liberal. Whatever happened to free speech?

Allegedly ... A Bad Cop.

"AN ISLAND'S only policeman has been charged with two sex attacks and a string of gun offences. Special constable Patrick MacKinnon, 47, was arrested by colleagues on Canna."

And innocent until proven guilty. Bad cop?

Cop That Again.

No fewer than three stories on one day which give a remarkable insight into the priorities and operational practices of the small bad percentage of Scotland's police. Although, given the number of cops involved, Mr Smith is beginning to wonder just how bad things actually are amongst Scotland's boys and girls and blue.

Number One: "Six police officers have been removed from their duties as part of an investigation by their force, it emerged last night. Five uniformed officers and one detective officer from Lothian and Borders Police have been ordered not to come into work."

Number Two: "Scotland's biggest police force has been strongly criticised for taking five years to deal with a complaint against one of its officers. In a report to be published today, Jim Martin, Police Complaints Commissioner in Scotland, says the complainer was treated badly by the force and questions whether this was through "maladministration, incompetence or a desire to avoid thorough investigation of his complaint".

Number Three: "A Scottish police force failed to investigate a claim that some of its officers were influenced by the Freemasons, the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland rules today. The finding by Jim Martin relates to a long-running case involving two members of the public and Northern Constabulary."

Mr Blue Peter.

Mr Smith reads courtesy of Drumlanrig that one of Scottish Labour Leader Iain Gray's claims to fame is that he is the holder of a Blue Peter badge. Allegedly, the only MSP to do so.

Is there no limit to Iain's talents?

But what did he get it for?

Finger Lincoln Good.

Mr Smith has a genuine interest in all things American, especially when they relate to Scotland. He was therefore interested to read of the latest academic study which attributes the motivation of US President Abraham Lincoln to Scottish poet Robert Burns.

"HE IS Scotland's national bard, whose timeless verse is venerated around the globe. But now it has been claimed that the stirring words of Robert Burns exerted such influence that they played a key role in helping Abraham Lincoln win the American civil war and abolish slavery.New research has revealed that the egalitarian political views and rousing oratory of the iconic US president stemmed from his lifelong love of the ploughman poet.A leading American academic has claimed that Lincoln could recite Burns' work by heart and yearned to visit his Ayrshire birthplace – and that the Scot's passion for social justice fuelled the US leader's crusade to emancipate African-Americans."

All very interesting, but Mr Smith thinks if it hadn't been for the imminent American Presidential election this story would never have seen the light of day.

Shrink Wrapped.

Mr Smith asks what is the significance, if any, of the fact that in the latest edition of Holyrood magazine which is published to coincide with the SNP's Perth Conference that on the page opposite the Conference welcome by SNP Leader Alex Salmond MSP is an advert by the British Psychological Society entitled, "Psychology can help you ... make better decisions."

Subliminal advertising or what? Are you thinking what he is thinking?

Murphy's Law.

Given Mr Murphy's recent appointment as Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Smith is reminded of a story detailing an incidence of the breaking of parliamentary rules by Mr Murphy in the run up to the 2005 General Election. Perhaps an insight into Mr Murphy's direct approach to Scottish politics as befits a former "Special Prokects" officer for the Scottish Labour Party.

"Jim Murphy, the Labour MP for Eastwood, used public funds to promote Labour’s record in government to the Islamic community in East Renfrewshire, amid fears of an anti-Labour backlash over the war in Iraq. Murphy, who is responsible for ensuring high personal standards among other MPs, admitted breaking the rules after a rival SNP candidate reported the matter to House of Commons authorities. Following an inquiry, he was forced to refund the cost of the Commons stationery and first-class post-paid envelopes that he had used."

Self Defence?

"A POLICEMAN has admitted to a court that he argued with bouncers, tried to punch one of them and spat in the street after being refused entry to a nightclub. PC Graeme Key, 36, said he swore at steward Elliot McLaren and spat before leaving Glasgow's Bamboo nightclub. He also said he lashed out at John Hodgson as he was being restrained, claiming it was in self-defence. The officer told the court that his life had been "put on hold" for the last two years after he was suspended from the force after the incident."

Was he a bad cop?

Auditing ... The World.

This is the kind of bare faced cheek and double standards which Mr Smith must admire even whilst highlighting it.

"THE WATCHDOG in charge of safeguarding public money has been accused of having its own junket culture after staff enjoyed dozens of lavish foreign trips. Audit Scotland employees have travelled to Majorca, Paris and the Swiss Alps to pick up tips on financial probity."

Plain Stupid.

It looks like the environ-MENTAL demonstrators are at it again. This time staging a noisy early morning protest targeting First Minister Alex Salmond, albeit that he wasn't around at the time.

Didn't they know the SNP's Conference was on?

"AIRPORT protesters tried to give Alex Salmond a wakeup call - and found out they were the dozy ones. The group turned up on Salmond's doorstep in Edinburgh in freezing cold at 4am and played ear-splitting noise on their stereo at 110 decibels, the same level as a jumbo jet taking off. But they later found out that the First Minister - who has the final say on plans to expand Edinburgh and Glasgow airports - was not in Bute House, his official residence."

Perks.

Remarkable insight into the world that our Government Ministers inhabit.

"POWER brings many perks, but a stuffed toy rat, curried mackerel and a papier mâché model of Alex Salmond were perhaps not what ministers would have put at the top of their wishlists. The gifts were among a treasure trove received by SNP ministers since the party came to power in May 2007.Mr Salmond, the First Minister, received signed football shirts, tea from India, cufflinks, a scarf, a collection of CDs, food and fish hampers from the House of Beauly and chocolates, all of which he gladly accepted."

Maybe they should just decline the gifts when they are proffered? Or even better make it clear they don't expect any gifts in the first place?

Golden Goodbye.

Mr Smith doesn't normally comment on matters beyond Scotland or the US, but even he is struck by the contradictions in the £1 million pay off for former EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson. Just as bankers are having to abandon their golden goodbyes and parachutes, it would appear that EU Commissioners are filling the gap.

"Peter Mandelson, the new Business Secretary, is in line for a £1m pay-off and pension package from Brussels after serving just four years as Britain's European Commissioner, The Observer can reveal. Mandelson is eligible for a 'golden goodbye' in addition to an annual salary of £104,386 as a cabinet minister in the House of Lords, under the EU's generous rules."

"Generous" is one way of putting it.