Scotland’s senior law officer has signalled that Michelle Thomson, the former SNP MP, could face prosecution if police investigating alleged irregularities relating to property deals find evidence of criminal misconduct.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
I bet it's owned and run by TORIES too, ones who in the eyes of rabid Nats, filter the water through sheets and blankets stolen from poor old people and the cots of babies.
Anglo-saxons were basically German, were they not?
So we're all immigrants except the Celts, who are only immigrants if they live in East Anglia. Did I get that right?
I place a very high value on freedom of speech and I also believe that means allowing people to say things I find repellent. The question is whether that should include direct threats of violence.
??
She did publicly say something repellant and it was widely disseminated which is how the rest of us know about, so she has free speech - there can be no doubt about it. No one censored her.
However, actions have consequences as she is now finding out.
Thomson’s legal advisor, Aamer Anwar, said the SNP and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon knew nothing of “the detailed nature of Michelle Thomson’s business dealings several years before she became an MP”.
Bahar Mustafa is a tedious oaf of a person, and yet I'm not happy to see someone arrested over such a thing. Being axed from her job [because of its particular nature] would seem more fitting. It's important that freedom of speech is as broad as possible*, even when the messages sent are ones one personally dislikes.
*Freedom of speech but axed from her job might seem inconsistent, but a diversity officer tweeting about killing all white men is inappropriate.
I think it's reasonable to limit freedom of speech when it's a direct incitement to violent action. "White men are evil and deserve to die" should be legally acceptable. "Kill all white men" should not.
On that basis the Elizabethans would have locked up Shakespeare for having an actor say "let's kill all the lawyers".
I think Mr Dancer has got the appropriate course of action spot on.
Well, no, because in that situation the person would clearly be acting.
Do you think it should be lawful for a white student to tweet "kill all black people"? What about if that student was a member of the KKK? What about if he didn't tweet it but shouted in on a public street? To a crowd of angry racists?
Any sensible law - and indeed, any sensible jury - would take context into account.
define "sensible", define the applied bias in "context"
Thomson’s legal advisor, Aamer Anwar, said the SNP and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon knew nothing of “the detailed nature of Michelle Thomson’s business dealings several years before she became an MP”.
I didn't think that either Interstellar or Inception were all that great. Fine, but not great.
What about Source Code? A sort of Inception meets Groundhog Day?
Source Code was brilliant. A simple premise superbly executed.
If you want a really obscure and wacky scifi film, then 'Primer' is just the job for me. If you liked Inception, you'd love it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390384/
And I'm not just saying that because it's a film about genuine techies.
I didn't think that either Interstellar or Inception were all that great. Fine, but not great.
"I'll tell you a riddle. You're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where that train will take you?"
Had a day off and so on a whim went to see The Martian, which I hadn't been planning to see but heard was good.
F---ing excellent movie, best I've seen in years. Tense but funny, beautiful, heartwarming and emotional as hell.
I thought it was brilliant, but our resident director felt it was one of Scott's three worst films.
Everyone's different.
I enjoyed it too - down to the final credits song joke.....
There were several song jokes in there - including the one where he fetches the thing to keep him warm.
It was part of the lightness of touch missing from the turgid mess that was Prometheus.....
I feel like the problem with Prometheus was more script based - it was the only time watching a movie in the cinema I felt certain whole scenes of information were missing or had been cut down, things just didn't make sense.
The thing I loved most about The Martian was in addition to being surprisingly funny and uplifting, it still managed to escalate tension without becoming overblown - Gravity suffered for me because in addition to not really having a plot, the situation kept escalating to the point it seemed like only luck and script magic could save the day, so the stakes were raised but I lost emotional investment as it was too manufactured in its tension. The Martian raised stakes, or put blocks in the way, and they always felt to me like something natural, not some movie moment for manufactured drama.
''Quite agree - however distasteful what she says may have been - not being allowed to say it is far more dangerous for society as a whole.''
I don't think that's true. Any person tweeting 'kill all black men' is going to be prosecuted immediately, regardless of standing or context.
What is dangerous is the prevailing feeling in this country that the law is being applied along racial lines. That if you are a muslim taxi driver, you can live to a different set of laws to a white British taxi driver.
What about Source Code? A sort of Inception meets Groundhog Day?
That is superb
I want to see The Martian, despite being put off by Matt Damon in Interstellar
I have not seen Interstellar or The Martian, but I might pop out and see The Martian based on the comments people have made to me including some of the ones on here.
"Ms Mustafa explained that she could not be guilty of sexism or racism against white men "because racism and sexism describe structures of privilege based on race and gender and therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist, since we do not stand to benefit from such a system."
And ain't that the truth?
You know, I kind of get that the "#killallwhitemen' hashtag is humour, and I wouldn't charge someone for using it.
But that paragraph about 'structures of privilege' is just appalling, scary drivel.
And factually untrue. Women are not and never have been a minority gender.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
Every other day The Malcoholic whines about UK firms being sold to foreigners, and now he's celebrating the loss of business from Scotland to England.
Interesting. The Evening Standard editorial very supportive of Theresa May, over Boris, this evening.
Blimey.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
Thomson’s legal advisor, Aamer Anwar, said the SNP and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon knew nothing of “the detailed nature of Michelle Thomson’s business dealings several years before she became an MP”.
Since Mr Sturgeon got Thomson removed from SNP Front totally separate Independent Business for Scotland, you wonder if the name never cropped up over cornflakes.....
"Ms Mustafa explained that she could not be guilty of sexism or racism against white men "because racism and sexism describe structures of privilege based on race and gender and therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist, since we do not stand to benefit from such a system."
And ain't that the truth?
You know, I kind of get that the "#killallwhitemen' hashtag is humour, and I wouldn't charge someone for using it.
But that paragraph about 'structures of privilege' is just appalling, scary drivel.
And factually untrue. Women are not and never have been a minority gender.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
If that's correct and I have no reason to doubt it whatsoever then it's good decision and 40 million has been saved for equally the same service. I think I would be inclined to ask the nationalised service of Scottish Water why Anglian can do it 40 million cheaper for said same service?
*pulls pin from Hand grenade*
If that is the case why not look for other private sector savings in other industries and services ....?........ Like say the NHS for example.
What about Source Code? A sort of Inception meets Groundhog Day?
That is superb
I want to see The Martian, despite being put off by Matt Damon in Interstellar
I have not seen Interstellar or The Martian, but I might pop out and see The Martian based on the comments people have made to me including some of the ones on here.
I doubt you'll regret it. At its core it's not really a sci-fi film - think Robinson Crusoe meets Gravity. It's also a very human film, with some great characterisation that comes straight from the book.
Basically, you want the guy to live. You care for him.
I've even advised an ex of mine who hates scifi to see it.
"Ms Mustafa explained that she could not be guilty of sexism or racism against white men "because racism and sexism describe structures of privilege based on race and gender and therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist, since we do not stand to benefit from such a system."
And ain't that the truth?
You know, I kind of get that the "#killallwhitemen' hashtag is humour, and I wouldn't charge someone for using it.
But that paragraph about 'structures of privilege' is just appalling, scary drivel.
And factually untrue. Women are not and never have been a minority gender.
Not perhaps minority but certainly treated as 2nd class citizens - as I'm sure all progressive scots nats would understand.
Religious folk often seem to have it in for trans people, and yet...
- God made Eve from Adam's rib - Eve must therefore have XY chromosomes although she was a woman - God blessed them, the first gay marriage (based on chromosomes) - Their blessed but incestuous union produced children - All this is available in the Bible for reading to all ages of the family
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
You need to understand that people in England are only used to - and seem quite accepting of - the concept that you massively overpay for public services and the contracts public bodies award go, not to those who will provide the lowest price, but those who spend the most money on political parties and who offer the cushiest non-executive roles for retired politicians.
Their system is one of the most corrupt in the world and all at the cost to the public. Yet they seem to like it that way and eternally vote in parties who suckled this corrupt teet.
"Ms Mustafa explained that she could not be guilty of sexism or racism against white men "because racism and sexism describe structures of privilege based on race and gender and therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist, since we do not stand to benefit from such a system."
And ain't that the truth?
You know, I kind of get that the "#killallwhitemen' hashtag is humour, and I wouldn't charge someone for using it.
But that paragraph about 'structures of privilege' is just appalling, scary drivel.
And factually untrue. Women are not and never have been a minority gender.
Not perhaps minority but certainly treated as 2nd class citizens - as I'm sure all progressive scots nats would understand.
Most of our ancestors were treated as second class citizens (or worse) by modern standards.
What about Source Code? A sort of Inception meets Groundhog Day?
That is superb
I want to see The Martian, despite being put off by Matt Damon in Interstellar
I have not seen Interstellar or The Martian, but I might pop out and see The Martian based on the comments people have made to me including some of the ones on here.
At its core it's not really a sci-fi film.
That depends what you mean. The reason I like sci-fi and fantasy is that you can have everything other genres have - romance, humour, deep complexity, emotional and philosophical weight, etc - but you can also set it on Mars or include dragons, or whatever. So I'd say it just happens to be a very good sci-fi film, not concerned with some of the elements of some sci-fi stories which can be not very good.
But I've gushed enough about the movie, so I'll shut up now. It was really really good though.
What about Source Code? A sort of Inception meets Groundhog Day?
That is superb
I want to see The Martian, despite being put off by Matt Damon in Interstellar
I have not seen Interstellar or The Martian, but I might pop out and see The Martian based on the comments people have made to me including some of the ones on here.
I felt that Theresa May was hinting at something that the government seem to have stumbled upon, quite fortuitously, during the Syrian refugee crisis.
The public seem reasonably open to genuine refugees being helped in camps based abroad, and also to limited, most deserving and likely to integrate cases being given settled and planned residence over here when taken from these camps.
However, anyone who gets here by any other means is more likely to be seen to be playing the system, and effectively be considered an economic migrant.
The outline strategy seems bound to work on those assumptions.
An Italian academic friend decided to buy a cafe bar and to this end gave up give up his job lecturing. He inherited a staff of eight or nine-the cafe's open seven days a week twelve hours a day-and off he went.
A very steep learning curve and very hard work but he really took to it. I asked him how he was getting on "I'm poor but happy!" he said. His newly aquired staff loved him.
After six weeks on a Friday night he was visited by eight immigration officers. All the staff were required to show their passports. All were fine except for a part time dishwasher who worked for four hours on Friday and Saturday nights. He was a French speaking Algerian and my Italian friend had no idea that he wasn't working legally
They instantly served him with a paper which said he'd employed someone whose work permit had run out and the Home Office would rule on his case and he'd have a result in four weeks.
The only thing that could alleviate the fine they would impose would be if he could direct them to anyone else working illegally at another establishment. Obviously he couldn't and wouldn't
He has just received his fine which is for £15,000! There is no appeal and he has four weeks to pay. He can't afford to pay so he and his excellent staff will now be out of a job. Can anyone think of anything more stupid?
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
those who spend the most money on political parties and who offer the cushiest non-executive roles for retired politicians.
Interesting. The Evening Standard editorial very supportive of Theresa May, over Boris, this evening.
Blimey.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
What about Source Code? A sort of Inception meets Groundhog Day?
That is superb
I want to see The Martian, despite being put off by Matt Damon in Interstellar
I have not seen Interstellar or The Martian, but I might pop out and see The Martian based on the comments people have made to me including some of the ones on here.
At its core it's not really a sci-fi film.
That depends what you mean. The reason I like sci-fi and fantasy is that you can have everything other genres have - romance, humour, deep complexity, emotional and philosophical weight, etc - but you can also set it on Mars or include dragons, or whatever. So I'd say it just happens to be a very good sci-fi film, not concerned with some of the elements of some sci-fi stories which can be not very good.
But I've gushed enough about the movie, so I'll shut up now. It was really really good though.
George Martin writes very well about this, in one of his essays in Dreamsongs (a collection of his short stories). There's no reason why a writer shouldn't mix up genres. All that matters is whether the story is a good one or not.
"Ms Mustafa explained that she could not be guilty of sexism or racism against white men "because racism and sexism describe structures of privilege based on race and gender and therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist, since we do not stand to benefit from such a system."
And ain't that the truth?
You know, I kind of get that the "#killallwhitemen' hashtag is humour, and I wouldn't charge someone for using it.
But that paragraph about 'structures of privilege' is just appalling, scary drivel.
And factually untrue. Women are not and never have been a minority gender.
Not perhaps minority but certainly treated as 2nd class citizens - as I'm sure all progressive scots nats would understand.
Most of our ancestors were treated as second class citizens (or worse) by modern standards.
Of course they were but it's also true that many of the rights that were initially extended to men were not extended to women - be it ownership, voting, the church.
An Italian academic friend decided to buy a cafe bar and to this end gave up give up his job lecturing. He inherited a staff of eight or nine-the cafe's open seven days a week twelve hours a day-and off he went.
... snip ...
He has just received his fine which is for £15,000! There is no appeal and he has four weeks to pay. He can't afford to pay so he and his excellent staff will now be out of a job. Can anyone think of anything more stupid?
No. As the business owner he should have checked the legal status of his staff. The rules are clear, and ignorance is no defence.
Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend?
"Ms Mustafa explained that she could not be guilty of sexism or racism against white men "because racism and sexism describe structures of privilege based on race and gender and therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist, since we do not stand to benefit from such a system."
And ain't that the truth?
You know, I kind of get that the "#killallwhitemen' hashtag is humour, and I wouldn't charge someone for using it.
But that paragraph about 'structures of privilege' is just appalling, scary drivel.
And factually untrue. Women are not and never have been a minority gender.
Not perhaps minority but certainly treated as 2nd class citizens - as I'm sure all progressive scots nats would understand.
Most of our ancestors were treated as second class citizens (or worse) by modern standards.
There are a number of very obvious gags that I will restrain myself from making...
Interesting. The Evening Standard editorial very supportive of Theresa May, over Boris, this evening.
Blimey.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
I'll judge the speech by the next couple of year's immigration numbers. 300,000+ when the goal was "tens of thousands" was frankly embarrasing.
Had a day off and so on a whim went to see The Martian, which I hadn't been planning to see but heard was good.
F---ing excellent movie, best I've seen in years. Tense but funny, beautiful, heartwarming and emotional as hell.
Sequel to Interstellar - Matt Damon marooned by himself on a far-flung planet!
Someone the other day posted up an estimate of how much the US has had to spend rescuing Matt Damon - Saving Private Ryan, Interstellar and now The Martian. Is he really worth it ?
:-)
If you redefine it as "getting hold of Matt Damon" you can include the Bourne films too.
@GardhamHT: Fury at Scottish Government decision to hand £350m water contract to private firm based in England http://t.co/48QbZxGcqF
He must be mistaken. It's the best thing Nicola has ever done...
Conscious of potential sensitivities around the decision, the SNP government - which has consistently criticised the privatisation of public services - delayed it until after the General Election. The new contract was due to have started in April but the competition was extended "to consider initial feedback" from companies.
What? You mean the SNP do the sort of thing they denounce Westminster for doing?
Conscious of potential sensitivities around the decision, the SNP government - which has consistently criticised the privatisation of public services - delayed it until after the General Election.
Surely not
@GardhamHT: @alexmassie - Keith Brown has blamed 'doing the right thing' on legislation by previous govt. Legislation the SNP voted for
Interesting. The Evening Standard editorial very supportive of Theresa May, over Boris, this evening.
Blimey.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
I'll judge the speech by the next couple of year's immigration numbers. 300,000+ when the goal was "tens of thousands" was frankly embarrasing.
Yet touted as future leader due to her competence! Imagine what they'd think of her if she had actually done well
Had a day off and so on a whim went to see The Martian, which I hadn't been planning to see but heard was good.
F---ing excellent movie, best I've seen in years. Tense but funny, beautiful, heartwarming and emotional as hell.
Sequel to Interstellar - Matt Damon marooned by himself on a far-flung planet!
Haven't gotten around to see Interstellar yet - I was rather put out by the pompous crowd of 'you just don't get it' defenders to some of its critics. Wouldn't be a problem for The Martian, I assure you - the sort of simple tale done perfectly, and hitting home emotionally very well as a result.
I liked Interstellar, but much preferred Nolan's Inception.
EDIT - yet to see Martian!
Both good Nolan films (as was his Batman effort).
But he will never make a film as good or as masterful as Memento.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
Every other day The Malcoholic whines about UK firms being sold to foreigners, and now he's celebrating the loss of business from Scotland to England.
Interesting. The Evening Standard editorial very supportive of Theresa May, over Boris, this evening.
Blimey.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
I don't know - annoyingly I can't link to it here but it's in the hard paper copy in my lap in black and white. The ES talks more than once about the importance of social cohesion, and a cohesive society, with migration at manageable levels.
Particularly interesting given the wider platform the ES offers to alternative views these days, and is rubber-stamping this as their lead editorial to what must be a very metropolitan readership.
Mr. Roger, that does seem stupid, and rather sad. There should be penalties for employing illegal immigrants, but 'inheriting' staff when you buy a business should be considered a mitigating factor.
Edited extra bit: Mr. Roger, could he find someone to buy a share in the business for £15,000? The fine gets paid, and the people keep their jobs. Not ideal, but better than the alternative, right?
Scotland’s senior law officer has signalled that Michelle Thomson, the former SNP MP, could face prosecution if police investigating alleged irregularities relating to property deals find evidence of criminal misconduct.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
Every other day The Malcoholic whines about UK firms being sold to foreigners, and now he's celebrating the loss of business from Scotland to England.
Must be something in the water.
Better Together Turnip head
More hot gases blowing out of your erchie.
The money flows overseas, to Canada and Australia, and champagne corks are popping in Holyrood.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
So you support privatizing the NHS in the same way?
what are you dribbling about , where did anyone mention privatisation of anything. All they have done is reduce the bill by 40 million and water is still a public service, only fantasists can conflate that to privatising the NHS.
"Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend? "
Not because he's my friend but because a fine of £15,000 is ridiculous for employing a dishwasher who was paid about £7 an hour for eight hours a week. His particular circumstances just shows what a pernicious blunt instrument she's wielding. It's a stunt so she can look like she's tougher than Farage.
Mr. Roger, that does seem stupid, and rather sad. There should be penalties for employing illegal immigrants, but 'inheriting' staff when you buy a business should be considered a mitigating factor.
Due diligence. It's hardly rocket science. When you buy a business, one checks if it has any outstanding liabilities or lease issues etc. Checking the employment status of the staff is no less a part of the process.
Interesting. The Evening Standard editorial very supportive of Theresa May, over Boris, this evening.
Blimey.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
I'll judge the speech by the next couple of year's immigration numbers. 300,000+ when the goal was "tens of thousands" was frankly embarrasing.
Theresa has actually been very consistent in her views over the years. Our laws (esp EU) and lawyers prevent the govt from reaching significantly lower immigration.
Scotland’s senior law officer has signalled that Michelle Thomson, the former SNP MP, could face prosecution if police investigating alleged irregularities relating to property deals find evidence of criminal misconduct.
LOL, no merde Sherlock, you are really on the ball. I would never have expected criminals to be prosecuted if you had not told me , a strange happening indeed.
I felt that Theresa May was hinting at something that the government seem to have stumbled upon, quite fortuitously, during the Syrian refugee crisis.
The public seem reasonably open to genuine refugees being helped in camps based abroad, and also to limited, most deserving and likely to integrate cases being given settled and planned residence over here when taken from these camps.
However, anyone who gets here by any other means is more likely to be seen to be playing the system, and effectively be considered an economic migrant.
The outline strategy seems bound to work on those assumptions.
You mean the general public might basically have some common sense, unlike the commentariat and of our leading political figures?
"Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend? "
Not because he's my friend but because a fine of £15,000 is ridiculous for employing a dishwasher who was paid about £7 an hour for eight hours a week. His particular circumstances just shows what a pernicious blunt instrument she's wielding. It's a stunt so she can look like she's tougher than Farage.
There is an appeal process - so why did you say there wasn't?
Had a day off and so on a whim went to see The Martian, which I hadn't been planning to see but heard was good.
F---ing excellent movie, best I've seen in years. Tense but funny, beautiful, heartwarming and emotional as hell.
Sequel to Interstellar - Matt Damon marooned by himself on a far-flung planet!
Haven't gotten around to see Interstellar yet - I was rather put out by the pompous crowd of 'you just don't get it' defenders to some of its critics. Wouldn't be a problem for The Martian, I assure you - the sort of simple tale done perfectly, and hitting home emotionally very well as a result.
I liked Interstellar, but much preferred Nolan's Inception.
EDIT - yet to see Martian!
Both good Nolan films (as was his Batman effort).
But he will never make a film as good or as masterful as Memento.
Something we can agree on! Remarkable story-telling....
"Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend? "
Not because he's my friend but because a fine of £15,000 is ridiculous for employing a dishwasher who was paid about £7 an hour for eight hours a week. His particular circumstances just shows what a pernicious blunt instrument she's wielding. It's a stunt so she can look like she's tougher than Farage.
We're soft. In France your friend would risk going to prison for 5 years, plus a similar criminal fine and possible civil fines of €100,000. Italy and other countries are equally strict.
Update us when your friend discovers that all the equipment is being repossessed because he didn't bother to check if it was rented, and the landlord has changed the locks due to a debt.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
If that's correct and I have no reason to doubt it whatsoever then it's good decision and 40 million has been saved for equally the same service. I think I would be inclined to ask the nationalised service of Scottish Water why Anglian can do it 40 million cheaper for said same service?
*pulls pin from Hand grenade*
If that is the case why not look for other private sector savings in other industries and services ....?........ Like say the NHS for example.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!"
Takes cover.....
Hard to be sure but they were given every opportunity.
One of the more likely possibilities is that the Labour Party intervened - a lot of Scotland's public bodies are still run by the Labour Party Placepeople given cushy roles under the Labour government at Holyrood and long term Labour rule in local authorities. It can be hard to get rid of this bias and they will often act deliberately against a non-Labour government.
So the money, 350 mil, leaves Scotland...does not go into Scottish workers pay packets..it goes to a Company based in England...and MG ,DAIR , see that as a great deal for Scotland...heheh....and they call us turnip heads....yep, that figures.
Religious folk often seem to have it in for trans people, and yet...
- God made Eve from Adam's rib - Eve must therefore have XY chromosomes although she was a woman - God blessed them, the first gay marriage (based on chromosomes) - Their blessed but incestuous union produced children - All this is available in the Bible for reading to all ages of the family
LOL............. religious, you are as on the ball as Isam Bev.
North American Man Boy Love Association. Their equivalent of the PIE. A legal association yank-side. Price you pay for free speech.
There's no need to ban it. I imagine one pays a very heavy social and economic price for being a member of NAMBLA.
I agree, but that's my point about free speech absolutism. PIE was banned here. Quite rightly, and they had no recourse to any 1st Amendment nonsense. Plainly NAMBLA is a criminal conspiracy to abuse children but they skirt the 1st Amendment boundries to stay legal in a way that couldn't happen on this side of the pond. Otoh we can jay-walk and disobey a policeman.
Religious folk often seem to have it in for trans people, and yet...
- God made Eve from Adam's rib - Eve must therefore have XY chromosomes although she was a woman - God blessed them, the first gay marriage (based on chromosomes) - Their blessed but incestuous union produced children - All this is available in the Bible for reading to all ages of the family
LOL............. religious, you are as on the ball as Isam Bev.
Scotland’s senior law officer has signalled that Michelle Thomson, the former SNP MP, could face prosecution if police investigating alleged irregularities relating to property deals find evidence of criminal misconduct.
I guess these are the brillient headlines we will see in the Nat onal tomorrow after this amazing deal
FEARS were mounting last night that ministers were preparing to hand a £350 million contract to supply water to Scotland’s schools, hospitals, prisons and Government offices to an English private water company.
Not just any private company - but ANGLIAN water - ENGLAND is derived from ANGLE - so it's the ENGLISH TOP HAT PINSTRIPE WESTMONSTER water company that will be stealing the profits, beating the workers etc.
It's come to a pretty pass when the SNP awards a massive utility contract to a privately-held English company at the expense of a Scottish public body.
So much for the great Scottish business revival that was going to be unleashed by an independent Scotland..... Of course, lost Scottish jobs and bankrupt Scottish businesses are all fair game so long as the Scottish Govt. is getting value for money".... says Dair.
LOL , worse than the other turkey , the public service continues as it did and the SNP save us £40M on top, win win yet again.
If that's correct and I have no reason to doubt it whatsoever then it's good decision and 40 million has been saved for equally the same service. I think I would be inclined to ask the nationalised service of Scottish Water why Anglian can do it 40 million cheaper for said same service?
*pulls pin from Hand grenade*
If that is the case why not look for other private sector savings in other industries and services ....?........ Like say the NHS for example.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!"
Takes cover.....
Should certainly be some pertinent questions being asked of Scottish Water. SNP policy is NEVER to nationalise the NHS, so silly rhetorical juvenile stuff is no big deal, privatisation of NHS is safely left to Tories and Labour.
"Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend? "
Not because he's my friend but because a fine of £15,000 is ridiculous for employing a dishwasher who was paid about £7 an hour for eight hours a week. His particular circumstances just shows what a pernicious blunt instrument she's wielding. It's a stunt so she can look like she's tougher than Farage.
We're soft. In France your friend would risk going to prison for 5 years, plus a similar criminal fine and possible civil fines of €100,000. Italy is similarly strict.
Yes well the French have no word for laissez faire.
Comments
I must confess I had to Google what a cis women was.
Scotland’s senior law officer has signalled that Michelle Thomson, the former SNP MP, could face prosecution if police investigating alleged irregularities relating to property deals find evidence of criminal misconduct.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/06/michelle-thomson-snp-mp-property-deals-investigated-police
So we're all immigrants except the Celts, who are only immigrants if they live in East Anglia. Did I get that right?
She did publicly say something repellant and it was widely disseminated which is how the rest of us know about, so she has free speech - there can be no doubt about it. No one censored her.
However, actions have consequences as she is now finding out.
I want to see The Martian, despite being put off by Matt Damon in Interstellar
Only 15% is owned by Uk investors - the rest are Oz and Canadian.
Thomson’s legal advisor, Aamer Anwar, said the SNP and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon knew nothing of “the detailed nature of Michelle Thomson’s business dealings several years before she became an MP”.
https://www.holyrood.com/articles/news/crown-first-became-aware-michelle-thomson’s-involvement-property-deals-case-july-2015
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5396358.stm
If you want a really obscure and wacky scifi film, then 'Primer' is just the job for me. If you liked Inception, you'd love it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390384/
And I'm not just saying that because it's a film about genuine techies.
The director's next film, 'Upstream Colour', is brilliant but as weird as anything you'll ever see:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084989/
The thing I loved most about The Martian was in addition to being surprisingly funny and uplifting, it still managed to escalate tension without becoming overblown - Gravity suffered for me because in addition to not really having a plot, the situation kept escalating to the point it seemed like only luck and script magic could save the day, so the stakes were raised but I lost emotional investment as it was too manufactured in its tension. The Martian raised stakes, or put blocks in the way, and they always felt to me like something natural, not some movie moment for manufactured drama.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34453674
I have not seen Interstellar or The Martian, but I might pop out and see The Martian based on the comments people have made to me including some of the ones on here.
Must be something in the water.
Scotch if he's feeling flush
Cheer and applause when that credit rolled.
Any other news organisation coming out in support of Theresa May ? Her whole speech as I understand it seems completely at odds with her actions/results as Home Sec for the past 5 years. It all seems very inconsistent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon/11902949/Nicola-Sturgeon-I-knew-nothing-about-Michelle-Thomson-deals.html
Now its the detailed nature....
What did Sturgeon know, when did she know it?
Since Mr Sturgeon got Thomson removed from SNP Front totally separate Independent Business for Scotland, you wonder if the name never cropped up over cornflakes.....
If that's correct and I have no reason to doubt it whatsoever then it's good decision and 40 million has been saved for equally the same service. I think I would be inclined to ask the nationalised service of Scottish Water why Anglian can do it 40 million cheaper for said same service?
*pulls pin from Hand grenade*
If that is the case why not look for other private sector savings in other industries and services ....?........ Like say the NHS for example.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!"
Takes cover.....
Basically, you want the guy to live. You care for him.
I've even advised an ex of mine who hates scifi to see it.
- God made Eve from Adam's rib
- Eve must therefore have XY chromosomes although she was a woman
- God blessed them, the first gay marriage (based on chromosomes)
- Their blessed but incestuous union produced children
- All this is available in the Bible for reading to all ages of the family
Yesterday we had Osborne nicking a labour policy, now Labour are stealing the Conservatves one on immigration
You need to understand that people in England are only used to - and seem quite accepting of - the concept that you massively overpay for public services and the contracts public bodies award go, not to those who will provide the lowest price, but those who spend the most money on political parties and who offer the cushiest non-executive roles for retired politicians.
Their system is one of the most corrupt in the world and all at the cost to the public. Yet they seem to like it that way and eternally vote in parties who suckled this corrupt teet.
But I've gushed enough about the movie, so I'll shut up now. It was really really good though.
"Someone sending a tweet that reads "kill all white men" is inherently unlikely to be expecting to be taken literally"
Ok how about this tweet if it had been made
"Someone sending a tweet that reads "kill all black men" is inherently unlikely to be expecting to be taken literally
Really .....you think?
Both are equally appalling and should not be in the public domain or any domain for that matter.
The public seem reasonably open to genuine refugees being helped in camps based abroad, and also to limited, most deserving and likely to integrate cases being given settled and planned residence over here when taken from these camps.
However, anyone who gets here by any other means is more likely to be seen to be playing the system, and effectively be considered an economic migrant.
The outline strategy seems bound to work on those assumptions.
An Italian academic friend decided to buy a cafe bar and to this end gave up give up his job lecturing. He inherited a staff of eight or nine-the cafe's open seven days a week twelve hours a day-and off he went.
A very steep learning curve and very hard work but he really took to it. I asked him how he was getting on "I'm poor but happy!" he said. His newly aquired staff loved him.
After six weeks on a Friday night he was visited by eight immigration officers. All the staff were required to show their passports. All were fine except for a part time dishwasher who worked for four hours on Friday and Saturday nights. He was a French speaking Algerian and my Italian friend had no idea that he wasn't working legally
They instantly served him with a paper which said he'd employed someone whose work permit had run out and the Home Office would rule on his case and he'd have a result in four weeks.
The only thing that could alleviate the fine they would impose would be if he could direct them to anyone else working illegally at another establishment. Obviously he couldn't and wouldn't
He has just received his fine which is for £15,000! There is no appeal and he has four weeks to pay. He can't afford to pay so he and his excellent staff will now be out of a job. Can anyone think of anything more stupid?
He must be mistaken. It's the best thing Nicola has ever done...
For example?
It's not been the greatest of recommendations, I'm afraid. The IBEX is up about 10%.
Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend?
Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
8m
Cameron also told me Boris will get a cabinet job when he finishes up as Mayor of London
What? You mean the SNP do the sort of thing they denounce Westminster for doing?
@GardhamHT: @alexmassie - Keith Brown has blamed 'doing the right thing' on legislation by previous govt. Legislation the SNP voted for
But he will never make a film as good or as masterful as Memento.
Must be something in the water.
Better Together Turnip head
Particularly interesting given the wider platform the ES offers to alternative views these days, and is rubber-stamping this as their lead editorial to what must be a very metropolitan readership.
https://www.gov.uk/penalties-for-employing-illegal-workers
Edited extra bit: Mr. Roger, could he find someone to buy a share in the business for £15,000? The fine gets paid, and the people keep their jobs. Not ideal, but better than the alternative, right?
Prosecution may follow.
I am genuinely SHOCKED. Shocked I tell you. Who could know that this was possible.
That is, indeed, a non story.
More hot gases blowing out of your erchie.
The money flows overseas, to Canada and Australia, and champagne corks are popping in Holyrood.
John Major might be a transTory (don't know enough WCTs to know others).
what are you dribbling about , where did anyone mention privatisation of anything. All they have done is reduce the bill by 40 million and water is still a public service, only fantasists can conflate that to privatising the NHS.
"Why should he be treated any differently from the rest of us because he's your friend? "
Not because he's my friend but because a fine of £15,000 is ridiculous for employing a dishwasher who was paid about £7 an hour for eight hours a week. His particular circumstances just shows what a pernicious blunt instrument she's wielding. It's a stunt so she can look like she's tougher than Farage.
Surely not.
There is an appeal process - so why did you say there wasn't?
Update us when your friend discovers that all the equipment is being repossessed because he didn't bother to check if it was rented, and the landlord has changed the locks due to a debt.
*pulls pin from Hand grenade*
If that is the case why not look for other private sector savings in other industries and services ....?........ Like say the NHS for example.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!"
Takes cover.....
Hard to be sure but they were given every opportunity.
One of the more likely possibilities is that the Labour Party intervened - a lot of Scotland's public bodies are still run by the Labour Party Placepeople given cushy roles under the Labour government at Holyrood and long term Labour rule in local authorities. It can be hard to get rid of this bias and they will often act deliberately against a non-Labour government.
The penalty notice will give you your payment options and tell you what do next. It will also tell you how to appeal if you want to.
https://www.gov.uk/penalties-for-employing-illegal-workers
*pulls pin from Hand grenade*
If that is the case why not look for other private sector savings in other industries and services ....?........ Like say the NHS for example.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!"
Takes cover.....
Should certainly be some pertinent questions being asked of Scottish Water. SNP policy is NEVER to nationalise the NHS, so silly rhetorical juvenile stuff is no big deal, privatisation of NHS is safely left to Tories and Labour.