In January 2021, as Anas Sarwar ran for leadership of the Scottish Labour branch, the shocking story below in the Daily Record, triggered no call for him to stand down.
We’re talking about a convicted paedophile here.
But, in Westminster, the Patrick Grady case, where no crime was committed, leads to a chorus of calls for the SNP leader at Westminster to go and to an endless media feeding-frenzy, days after it was closed.
Talking-up Scotland 
The North Brit Starmerites themselves claim to have raised a measly £20,000 one year ( under **** –) but a £1,000,000 (with Starwars) the next.
What a shame that Scotland has no actual journalists who could ask the provenance of the £million.
Or a media which would print the answers.
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Aye, that’s the Mail for you, “Sex shame MP Grady faces cop quiz”, missing the fairly obvious clues in the complaint that sex was not involved…
The Met investigating 6 years after the fact is cloud cuckoo, they didn’t even want to investigate Downing Street parties…
As commented previously, this contrived propaganda campaign had more to do with diversion from a jailed ex-Tory MP whom the Mail described merely as “disgraced”, and whose Wakefield seat the Tories lost.
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I have often said that the intense scrutiny the SNP is subjected to makes the party stronger as they come out prepared, knowing the kitchen sink will be thrown at them and all plans questioned to the nth degree. Sadly though this does not apply to the purely personal stories as Derek McKay, Mark Macdonald and now Patrick Grady have found out to their cost. A party that prides itself on supporting “victims”, no matter how well intentioned then has no choice but to accept and respond to the barbs of hostile opponents, and they have few friends in the mainstream press willing to address such issues with balance or perspective
No-one should be subjected to unwanted sexual approaches but surely we also need to recognise that there are times when these can be claimed to discredit another as the commons standards report appears to suggest was a factor in Mr Grady’s case – it is telling (and unsurprising) that few of the many articles in the papers mention this fact, or the findings in Patricia Gibson’s case.
Already journalists have set their targets wider to implicate Iain Blackford and Nicola Sturgeon, and seem to be somehow implying that this will undermine the indy announcement coming on Tues. Hopefully the Scottish electorate is fairer minded and can separate the constitutional debate on self determination from human failings blown up out of all proprtion
And one last thing – look at how folk who are in some way an obstacle to Boris Johnston’s ambitions are undermined, how stories appear when the focus comes too near tory failings or even possibly as revenge for past slights. I give you
Matt Hancock
Rishi Sunak
Sajid Javid
Keir Starmer
Angela Rayner
Charles Windsor
and no doubt countless more
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Honestly, as a young woman especially in NE England, unwanted sexual approaches were almost a daily occurrence, I was a very fast runner, just as well. It used to be much less anti social back in the 70’s/80’s to harass or threaten a woman in the street or touch her up in the pub or nightclub.
Though now false claims of sexual assault do happen, I know of one person that happened to and it was very serious, the complainant was after compensation, it almost ruined the accused person’s life.
The media act as accuser, judge and jury when it comes to the SNP and it’s utterly disgusting.
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Yes sexual harrassment was a lot more common in the 70/80s but the minor incidents could usually be dealt with a look or a loud back off comment, at least when such incidents occurred between peers or colleagues. If differences in status or power were involved it was different, as were incidents which progressed onto an actual physical assault. I just know that I don’t want my daughters or my sons to be seeing themselves as victims if someone makes an unwanted, unasked for move or comment, I want them to call it out loudly and clearly and make sure the message is received. It might not always work or the situation might deteriorate but to me that is when further action has to be taken
3 good examples of clear communication (not related to sexual harassment but useful nonetheless) – Mick Lynch this past week or so, Angus Robertson statement on currency, the lass that asserted her right to choose against bible pushing anti abortionists. Plain, clear, direct and public
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It sometimes feels we are observing a ‘witch-hunt’ in full public view. I genuinely hope Mr Grady is being well supported by close friends, family and colleagues. Whatever the nature/seriousness – or not – of the origin incident, this relentless, vile pursuit being played out in the media would surely risk the health and resilience of most individuals.
And perhaps the more so when the individual being targeted is someone whose ‘judge and jury’ in the Parliamentary investigation his the case chose to volunteer this statement:
Para 3.26 of the official judgement: ‘We also record our conclusion that the respondent was not merely disturbed and embarrassed by this whole turn of events, and regretful of the consequences for his political career, but GENUINELY REMORSEFUL.
‘Sitting as we do, dealing with respondents facing what may be serious sanctions, we are alive to the risk of “crocodile tears” from those addressing us. We are used to listening attentively to learn whether respondents are thinking only of themselves, or whether they are genuinely alive to the impact on others.
‘HERE WE ARE CLEAR THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GENUINE COMING TO TERMS WITH WHAT WENT WRONG AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COMPLAINANT, AND A GENUINE CONCLUSION THAT CONDUCT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN THE FUTURE.’ (my emphasis)
None of the above needs to or should be taken to diminish what a complainant feels – or what the complainant in this particular case might well need in terms of support and closure. I suspect there are many nuanced, underlying human sensitivities and frailties swirling around this matter that too many are seeking ruthlessly to exploit in the public domain for different, political reasons.
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Credit to you Stewartb for taking the trouble to read & share the report findings in your previous post and John, never doubt your blog site has no merit. As far as I can see no-one else bothered to look below the surface here though it has since been mentioned on Twitter
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There are reports the accuser has made both complains. The more it is reported the more it becomes suspect. The truth might be more enlightening. People do lie for political reasons or just make malicious report.
Abused women have to stay in abusive relationship because they do not get legal aid. It has to be paid back in any case. It can cost £thousands and take years for women to get their rights. Or they can lose their house or home. Rental agencies illegally demand 6 months upfront rent and deposit.
In England it has been changed so women can get legal aid and do not have to pay £thousands and lose their home. To get equal rights. Women who cohabit, the majority, do not have equal rights. Women and children have to stay in abusive situations to keep a roof over their head.
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