From stewartb I agree wholeheartedly with the criticism of BBC Scotland’s coverage of this BMA story. However, the ‘problem’ goes way beyond its uncritical amplification of one trade union spokesperson’s assertions and claimed statistics regarding consultants in Scotland. The BBC article includes this: ‘Dr Eunson cited an ongoing complex row over tax bills for consultants’ pensions which he said has left some colleagues facing the prospect of retiring or working less to ensure they are not out of pocket.’ There is a reference to a survey of doctors on the BMA website dated 4 March 2021. It is entitled: ‘Pensions … Continue reading ‘Perhaps the BMA is using fear mongering amplified by the BBC to influence the upcoming Scottish budget announcements’

After months of watching Scotland’s media accuse the SNP Government of destroying the hospitality industry and platforming night club and pub owners as experts in virology and epidemiology, I wondered how the media in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands might react to the latest fourth wave lockdowns there fuelled by millions of people who refused to be vaccinated and by political leaders who have allowed the opening up of nightclubs. Spiegel has blamed the politicians for not doing what the Scottish Government has done, delaying opening up of nightclubs until vaccination levels were high enough and vaccine passports were in … Continue reading German media ignore nightclub experts on virology!

In the Times, today, by that foul trio of Allardyce, Glackin and former BBC Head of News and serial bully of young staff, John Boothman, the claim that First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has earned the nickname ‘Elsie McSelfie.’ Leaving aside the now frequent misunderstanding of how selfies work, among Tory trollers, had you heard the FM earned that? Says who? Me neither. I looked and found the likely source – the Clown Office at https://clownoffice.tumblr.com/ Their identity is not revealed but Google then suggests only one other user of the term in Scotland: Is this the Clown? Or Boothman? I … Continue reading Is Andrew Neil The Clown here?

Key extracts from BBC Editorial Guidelines: Where appropriate to the output and wherever possible, we should: gather material using first-hand sources check facts and statistics, identifying important caveats and limitations validate the authenticity of documentary evidence and digital material corroborate claims and allegations made by contributors weigh, interpret and contextualise claims, including statistical claims. 3.3.2 In news and current affairs content, achieving due accuracy is more important than speed. 3.3.3 We should try to witness events and gather information first-hand. Where this is not possible, we should talk to first-hand sources and, where practicable, corroborate their evidence. 3.3.4 We should be reluctant to … Continue reading Major breach of editorial guidelines

In Scot Goes Pop’s Panelbase Poll, we see once more, the young strongest in support for the SNP: 16-34 – 58% 35-54 – 47% 55+ – 34% Relatively free of the Anglocentric History teaching, TV and cinema, many of us suffered, growing up in devolved times and knowing via social media of how things are better here under the SNP, they seem to know what would be best. Then, again, when asked about another freedom to identify, less constrained by so-called experts in medicine, the church or the law, they choose to support the individual and by a factor of … Continue reading Less ‘bent out of shape from society’s pliers’ sometimes the young know best

SENIOR clinicians will quit the NHS or cut back their hours unless more is done to address “punishing” pension tax bills, a leading doctor has warned. Graeme Eunson, chair of the BMA’s Scottish consultants’ committee, said a potential exodus of the country’s most experienced doctors threatens to “seriously undermine” attempts to clear the waiting list backlog and derail training for younger medics. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19714354.covid-scotland-seven-10-senior-doctors-plan-retire-early-pandemic/ The Herald report does not tell us anything at all about this trade union survey. I can find no trace of the BMA, Scotland or UK publishing it. We’ve been here before with BMA ‘surveys’: I look … Continue reading Revealed: 10 out of 10 BMA ‘surveys’ are mince

Regular readers will know that the Ferret ‘Fact Checker’ is hopelessly compromised by its association with the Herald and Scottish Labour. The contrast with the Canary, which I pay for monthly, could not be sharper. See this if you need a wee, well big, résumé (face-covering recommended): Today, above, you see the accusations levelled at Scottish Water and the First Minister, based on an unspecified number of email complaints. The accusations are then backed up by comments from Monica Lennon (Labour) and Liam McArthur (LD). I don’t doubt there have been too many leaks for some butt he ‘way behind … Continue reading Scotland’s Corporate Ferret way behind UK People’s Canary as it fakes sewage story

From BBC Wales today: Paramedics fear they cannot do their job safely due to being forced to work with the armed forces on ambulances, a union has warned. More than 100 military personnel were brought in to help the Welsh Ambulance Service cope with Covid pressures. But the GMB said they provide “very little assistance”, put more pressure on the trained medics and that without action the service will collapse. However the GMB also said its members are being threatened with suspension or disciplinary action if they raise the problems and “being bullied and forced to split from their regular trained … Continue reading ‘Bringing in the military has actually increased waiting times at some Scottish hospitals’

Owen Paterson above has been a paid consultant for Randox Laboratories and Lynn’s Country Foods. He is paid £8,333 a month by Randox for 16 hours work and £2,000 every other month from Lynn’s Country Foods for four hours work. That wasn’t in itself illegal but: He was investigated by the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards after being accused of breaking lobbying rules for MPs. The commissioner found that, on behalf of the companies, he approached and met officials at the Food Standards Agency and ministers at the Department for International Development a number of times. He also used his parliamentary … Continue reading Tory sleaze? Twas ever thus

Free of the Unionist baggage of ‘Scotland’s sel-loathing MSM, the Metro (the Times and the National too) headlines the angry reaction to the unsubstantiated slurs, offered at face-value and today ignored, in nearly every other outlet. STV make little of it but, at least, offer the link, well down the ‘page’: In the 22nd of 23 paragraphs in the BBC Scotland report yesterday: A Government of Gibraltar spokesperson said there had been “no reports of shouting or any sort of aggressive behaviour” at the airport. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59243206 Continue reading For the facts on the ‘drunk’ SNP MPs don’t bother with the Scottish media