Nicola Sturgeon

His problem with 'r' s bothers me!

I think Stephen Flynn is a very good speaker, from when I’ve watched him in Westminster.

Casdon

She resigned because of it though, didn’t she, in retrospect we know that. I can’t see Swinney resigning, and on the basis of what I know of his involvement, which is not a lot I honestly can’t see why he would resign, although his opponents may wish for that to happen.

Swinney lied that the ring fenced donations given to support an independence referendum were safe, then admitted they'd been spent, whilst this may not have been criminal it was a bare faced lie.

Swinney's always been and remains a stalwart supporter of Sturgeon (and friend of Murrell's from childhood), many members want a clean sweep, support is growing for Stephen Flynn to takeover. I used to think Swinney supported Flynn as potential leader/FM but when he didn't make him his deputy l wondered if it was a political double bluff, and Flynn is actually in the Sturgeon camp, or is Swinney trying to keep him at bay.
Regardless, Flynn is highly likely to succeed Swinney, just a matter of when.

I know he won't. He's just not an honourable man.

She resigned because of it though, didn’t she, in retrospect we know that. I can’t see Swinney resigning, and on the basis of what I know of his involvement, which is not a lot I honestly can’t see why he would resign, although his opponents may wish for that to happen.

He is the leader of the party now. Sturgeon slipped away just before the missing money was publicly revealed.

But the leader of the party did resign Aveline? I don’t know enough about him, but I really can’t see a case for him resigning in the circumstances, unless he has personally done something wrong.

Casdon it's a matter of honour. Clearly not something Swinney understands. He's leader of a party with the biggest financial scandal in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

Aveline

Far more has come out since then. Irrespective of the election result he should go. They made McLetchie go for far, far less criminal behaviour. Wendy Alexander had to resign due to another very small matter.

Has something specific come out about Swinney’s direct involvement Aveline, I haven’t seen that?

Before the election it was known that the money had gone, and that Murrell was directly implicated, and Sturgeon had resigned butterandjam, surely the public had put two and two together. It wasn’t public funds, which makes a difference I assume, because it must have been the same people whose money had been taken, who voted for them again.

We knew he'd done it. We knew the money had gone. He could have had a go at pleading not guilty to give us all a laugh of course but the outcome was crystal clear.

Casdon

I don’t see a rationale for Swinney to resign Aveline, given this information was public knowledge before the election last month? The party was re-elected in the knowledge of the mismanagement of SNP funds, so the voters had their say then.

The Public did NOT know before the election, that Murrell was about to plead guilty.

Luckygirl3

*Looking at the list of items that were allegedly bought with the stolen money they all strike me as being very strange. A motor home which only travelled a few miles, hair driers for a bald man, antique cruets. Almost as though he just had to spend the money for no definite reason. Did anyone else notice this ?* - this from sodapop.

This is why I suspected the possibility of PD, as there is no rhyme or reason to the spending. Just impulsive buying.

As he's been displaying this "sympton" for at least 17 years,

A) In that 17 years, wouldn't other Parkinsons symptoms have become very publically obvious, and medically diagnosed?

B) his lawyer would have pled medical diagnosis, instead of "Guilty"

Far more has come out since then. Irrespective of the election result he should go. They made McLetchie go for far, far less criminal behaviour. Wendy Alexander had to resign due to another very small matter.

I don’t see a rationale for Swinney to resign Aveline, given this information was public knowledge before the election last month? The party was re-elected in the knowledge of the mismanagement of SNP funds, so the voters had their say then.

You'd think Swinney would resign as any honourable party leader would as his party has been shown to be dangerously inept with internal governance. Why not? Oh yes. Honour and ethics sadly missing.

Luckygirl3

Clearly no-one can say that he has PD . . it is just one potential explanation for his irrational purchases. Just to answer Oldfrill's question ... yes people with PD who are in the grip of this compulsion do cover up what they are doing because on some level they know it is wrong... in the same way that an alcoholic hides bottles.

I'm sure he'll try to present a get out of jail free card before sentencing. Multiple sources report he stole thousands whilst working for Salmond, thirty years ago, so any illness goes back many, many years. Or maybe deceit is just how he got his kicks, like many villains.

I really don't understand why people think the purchases are irrational, if many were bought as gifts they make sense. gifts

Luckygirl13 I've said no more than is all over Twitter.

Aveline

Luckygirl13 there's a lot more I could say but have held back. Scotland is a small place. I'll say no more.

But maybe best not to commit to "print" in such a bald accusation! Speculate by all means!

Clearly no-one can say that he has PD . . it is just one potential explanation for his irrational purchases. Just to answer Oldfrill's question ... yes people with PD who are in the grip of this compulsion do cover up what they are doing because on some level they know it is wrong... in the same way that an alcoholic hides bottles.

Luckygirl13 there's a lot more I could say but have held back. Scotland is a small place. I'll say no more.

Luckygirl3

*Looking at the list of items that were allegedly bought with the stolen money they all strike me as being very strange. A motor home which only travelled a few miles, hair driers for a bald man, antique cruets. Almost as though he just had to spend the money for no definite reason. Did anyone else notice this ?* - this from sodapop.

This is why I suspected the possibility of PD, as there is no rhyme or reason to the spending. Just impulsive buying.

Is it also a symptom of PD, or a side effect of the medication that the sufferer goes to great extent and intricacy to cover their tracks, cook the books and supposedly maintain total secrecy for years?

It's claimed that many of the purchases were gifted to friends and family. He was very close to Nicola Sturgeon's immediate family. I can understand two hairdryers being gifts.

It's also claimed in the plea bargain that certain items were not made public to prevent further embarrassment to Nicola. Sturgeon, the mind boggles. Maybe he bought a wee gift with his embezzled monies for the Queen when they visited Balmoral, how very embarrassing.

Seems HMRC are now investigating Murrell as he may have claimed tax relief on items purchased and put through the accounts as expenses, is that likely to be a symptom of Parkinson's Disease?

Aveline

Yes she is guilty of covering up.

Heck - this is libellous!!! - look out!!!

Looking at the list of items that were allegedly bought with the stolen money they all strike me as being very strange. A motor home which only travelled a few miles, hair driers for a bald man, antique cruets. Almost as though he just had to spend the money for no definite reason. Did anyone else notice this ? - this from sodapop.

This is why I suspected the possibility of PD, as there is no rhyme or reason to the spending. Just impulsive buying.

HelterSkelter1

I expect it must have been considered and ruled out, but recently there has been a lot of information about a certain medication for Parkinsons and restless legs causing excessive spending, gambling and inappropriate behaviour.

Yes - I made this point upthread too - my OH had PD so it is something close to my heart. This sort of irrational impulsive spending is a known symptom, both of the disease and the treatments.

Possibly they had medical problems with their bowels. Hence, the loo rolls. Or too much coffee every day kept them rushing to the bathroom. Who knows.