The old adage ' never let party donations stand in the way of destroying an oil company' seems to run true in the US. (All right, it's not an old adage, but it should be.)
Campbell Gunn, the political editor of the Sunday Post, has come up trumps today. He's reporting both the US President and US Secretary of State have both accepted large donations from a BP employees committee. It gets even better - three out of the four senators who are upset because Kenny MacAskill refuses to attend their interrogation, have also accepted donations from a BP staff organisation.
The donations don't come from the company itself but from their Political Action Committee - a group of individuals within BP who wish to donate to a particular politician or party. There are a number of oil companies who have drilling interests in Libya and some of these have also made contributions to politicians or the Democrats.
In the donation period ending in 2008, Obama took $71,051 and Clinton $6,700 from BP staff in donations. Senator Menendez, who is chairing this week's senate investigation, received $2,000 out of the pot with Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer receiving $750 and $250 respectively.
The senators have been accused of hypocrisy. I think that's being kind to them.
Meanwhile, Alex Salmond gave a dignified interview to Adam Bolton on Sky News this morning. He spelt out the complete situation of the Scottish government (once again) and if people refuse to understand it's their problem. While I may not agree with Kenny MacAskill's decision, I'm completely convinced that he undertook the decision while adhering firmly to Scots law.
Kenny MacAskill has received a series of threats from the US over the release of the Lockerbie bomber. His personal security has been increased along with further security at his Edinburgh constituency office.
Since I wrote this I notice Tris has also posted on the subject of the 'blood money'. You can read his version here.
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