Sturgeon -v- Salmond. This is going to be very interesting. Is the SNP finished? And what impact on the Scots regarding Indy2? ?

Very witty, Lemsip, I never noticed that before.
Salmon is an oily fish, how appropriate.

My DH, was a Scottish, local government, personnel officer in a former life and said that a lot of work goes on in the background, counselling people who make complaints of sexual harassment. They are given impartial advice on how
difficult it may be, once the process is formalised. He also stressed that both parties are supported until the final outcome.
For those women to continue their complaint took a lot of courage. If it had only been one complainer, I would have thought it was perhaps malicious, but more than one makes me wonder.
The Scottish Office handled it very badly and Salmond had a good defense team.
He was indeed found innocent of all charges, but I still have doubts about Salmond. A family member used to worked very closely with him, he is was is a very powerful man.

Neither Sturgeon, nor Salmond are lily white in this. What I do find difficult to understand is why some of our English friends have such hatred dislike of NS, when what she does does not affect them.

Both Sturgeon and Salmond have done the Scottish people and Government a great disservice.

Floradora9 - no way. NS loves the limelight and she is on every day to keep her profile up and she is in it to take Scotland to independence - no matter what. Her body language even all these years ago with Salmond tells a lot, not that I'm an expert in body language but you don't have to be. She looks exceedingly uncomfortable when you see her with him when he was her mentor.

Great post Marydoll

As for the hatred dislike of NS, I believe its because she is seen as a wee woman who doesn't know her place. A Scots woman at that, who poses a threat to the status quo that many seem to be dependent on. There is misogyny as well, although I'm sure that will be denied vociferously. Its convenient to blame the whole independence movement on one person, so when that person gets something wrong, (if she has) there can be jubilation.

Alegrias, I am stunned at your affirmation, I'm am not politically astute enough to be able to hold my own on politics threads, I would have to get DH to do that for me, but I do know how I feel about this whole mess!

Thank you and I agree with you!

I certainly don't think the dislike of her is due to her being a wee woman who doesn't know her place. There are plenty of women in politics in all parties and in many countries. Some generate a great deal of respect eg Angela Merkel. However, even she has detractors. This is due to perception of their politics or actual efficacy of their governments. Nicola does not have a good record despite constant public reminders by her ubiquitous presence.
Sexism isn't the problem here.

Well, tomorrow should be interesting.

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-9297015/ANDREW-NEIL-Nicola-Sturgeons-storm-troops-turned-Scotland-banana-republic.html

Andrew Neil lived three doors along from us when he was growing up. I find it very difficult to take him seriously.

Ha! I love that Marydoll.
I like him actually - well I don’t know him but I like his interview style. He listens, once he’s asked a question which some interviewers don’t do! (Adam Booulton for one is always butting in, A’s is (or was) Ms Hurley Burley.

I wonder if Alex Salmond is practising in front of his mirror tonight?
?

Urms, when I look at him, I still see a spotty teenager. DH, who lived round the corner, feels the same!

I'm one of the confused Scottish electorate.
I don't see why any parts of evidence that could identify someone can't be given & considered in private, rather than completely excluded.
Leaving out bits of evidence seems, to me, to make the whole process worthless.

I wonder if Salmond will just throw caution to the wind a blurt out all the background stuff that he knows? It would be good if he did. They need to clear the air and get on with it.

When Salmond publicly stated that he may have been inappropriate, that was me done with him as a statesman, he is old enough and wise enough to know better.
As, for his accusation of a stitch up, I suspect those who are still around in 50 years will, I hope, know the truth.
Having sat many times in a Court of law and enquiries of various descriptions, getting to the truth is rare, in my view. It is a game based on competitiveness and the glory is in winning so I am not holding my breath.
As for Sturgeon, she is already splitting the SNP party with her lack of support for women SNP party members. They have written an open letter to her and I have started a new discussion as I am interested in the views of our generation on the content.
She is also splitting those who vote for Independence and many now look to the newly formed party, Independence for Scotland party.
I am, as a Scot, non the less, following the debacle with interest as it has major implications for our judicial future.

I just dont know what will happen. Nicola's also in bother due to answering questions about the Salmond situation in her 'covid briefing' and casting doubt on the jury's findings. These are all, apparently, breaches of the ministerial code according to Jim Sillers, a previous SNP grandee.
If she falls on her sword she'll be a martyr but if she doesn't she'll always be tainted and viewed with suspicion. I dont know what I think will or should happen but remain horrified at the shadow its all cast on the Scottish government, civil service and the crown office.

Jim Sillars, bastion of righteousness.

www.holyrood.com/news/view,jim-sillars-should-quit-snp-and-join-rise-says-edinburgh-councillor_6752.htm

Alex Salmond is doing very well in his account. Very measured this afternoon.

Nicola Sturgeon next Wednesday.

He has convinced me. His testimony is on point - and I think the committee knows it, regardless of their political affiliations.

He did very well and it must have been very stressful. Against my will I was impressed by his testimony. Maybe its a relief to have his say. I bet he'll be having a wee glass of whisky with his supporters now.

One of them is lying. Be interesting to see which one.

And Nicola Sturgeon and her legal team have the weekend to replay today’s proceedings and prepare for their presentation next Wednesday. The advantages of going into bat second!

Hard for her to answer the points made in the statement from Salmond. He had dates and names and was very well prepared.
A week is a long time in politics...

Aveline

He did very well and it must have been very stressful. Against my will I was impressed by his testimony. Maybe its a relief to have his say. I bet he'll be having a wee glass of whisky with his supporters now.

I watched it too, he was very convincing and gave a good account of himself to the committee.It doesn’t look good for
Sturgeon I must say.
He kept very calm under fire and was determined to have as much evidence as is ‘allowed’ brought into the light.

Brilliant interview on Ch4 news just now with Ruth Davidson where the point was raised at the last minute that Johnson was the SNP’s greatest weapon. Ruth was struggling not to laugh as it’s no secret that she really dislikes Johnson. It was a wonderful gotcha moment and she knew it! Great stuff.

In the Guardian just now -

“The SNP’s fear must now be that its core support chooses to stay at home, and voter apathy becomes the independence movement’s principal enemy.”

His closing statement about the committee asking his legal team for the evidence was a masterstroke. If they don't, it looks like a cover up. He reminded them it was within their legal powers to do so.

Another post in support of Marydoll.