How disappointed I was this morning to read the dead tree press reports on yesterday's Ministerial Statement. I'm convinced few journalists watched the whole broadcast or have been following the Magrahi issue carefully.
The Guardian reports Mr MacAskill was 'discomforted' by Ian Gray's 'attacks'. Mr MacAskill didn't look uncomfortable to me, just irritated by the quality of Mr Gray's questions. The labour leader's constant call for the Scottish government to publish everything could well backfire on him because, much as the present government is doing its best to be transparent, some documents and details must be kept confidential for all our sakes. The Scotsman concentrated on Mr Gray's demand - no surprise there then. The Herald's account was unbiased and of the Scottish newspapers, the most accurate.
One of our dearly beloved unionist journalists, Angus Macleod, reports in The Times 'It is the first time that Scotland's Nationalist administration has joined the condemnation of the triumphal scene'. Where has Mr Macleod been all weekend? Alex Salmond was like the proverbial bad penny both on Saturday and Sunday when he continually decried the behaviour of Gadaffi and the stage-managed welcome Megrahi had on his return to Libya.
Ian MacWhirter gave a more balanced summary and opinion, while Alan Cochrane's medication must be taking effect as his account is distinctly more or less rant free.
Jeff at SNP Tactical Voting hopes yesterday's Statement, questions and answers will bring the matter to a close. I disagree. We cannot have the last public perception of this affair being the image of Megrahi arriving in Tripoli to a rent-a-mob waving possibly homemade saltires and if only for that reason the issue needs to be further investigated. Kenny MacAskill insists the Scottish government does not have the powers to do this but surely unionist MSPs could motivate their London bosses into calling for an inquiry. I certainly think there may be some political mileage for the tories and libdems if they can uncover some of the backroom deals made in recent years by the labour government.
By all accounts the opposition parties have retracted their enthusiasm for a vote of no confidence in Kenny MacAskill and therefore next Wednesday's debate may be mundane, although Christine Grahame is reported to have something of interest to say. Maybe even Jack McConnell, who was exceptionally vocal on Sunday about the decision 'damaging Scotland', may grace the Parliament with his presence. Perhaps his absence yesterday was due to his barber's appointment taking longer than expected.
Today I found the above photograph of the Scottish Parliament and rather pleasing to the eye it is too. Wardog thinks the Parliament is truly remarkable and I'm doing my very best to see his point of view.
Posts
