Scotland's first minister Sturgeon faces resignation call amid row with predecessor

 

FILE PHOTO: The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Nicola Sturgeon is applauded by former leader and local candidate Alex Salmond during campaigning in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, April 18, 2015. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, should resign, the main opposition party said on Tuesday amid a dispute involving her predecessor that threatens to damage the independence movement.

 

Last week, former leader Alex Salmond accused the Scottish government of acting illegally and lacking leadership in a feud that has pitted the former friends against each other. Sturgeon has denied his accusations.

 

Salmond, who was cleared last year of committing multiple sex offences against women, said the handling of his case by the Scottish government had shown a failure of leadership.

 

The row stems from Sturgeon's handling of the government's response to the case against Salmond and whether she misled parliament over the details of what and when she knew of the allegations against her predecessor.

 

On Tuesday, the administration published legal advice regarding a parliamentary inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints.

 

Sturgeon is due to give evidence on Wednesday, but the main opposition Conservatives said she should quit.

 

"The weight of the evidence is overwhelming. Nicola Sturgeon must resign," Conservative leader Douglas Ross said.

"We will be submitting a Vote of No Confidence in the First Minister."

 

Sturgeon's Scottish National Party holds 61 of parliament's 129 seats.

 

She and her bid for a second independence referendum have been riding high in opinion polls, with many praising her handling of Scotland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Support has fallen back, although a majority still back a second referendum.

 

A spokesman for Sturgeon said the people of Scotland would decide who governs the country in an election in May.

 

"The First Minister will address all of the issues raised – and much more besides – at the committee tomorrow," he said.

"To call a vote of no confidence in the middle of a pandemic, before hearing a single word of the First Minister’s evidence, is utterly irresponsible."

 

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-03

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

54 minutes ago, webfact said:

Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, should resign, the main opposition party

 

Well they would say that wouldn't they. 

This is the big one, it makes Watergate pale into insignificance. What were they thinking.

 

Will not make any difference to the drive for independence.

 

Past time for Queen Nicola to abdicate, she is fast making Scotland and Scottish people look ridiculous.

Somebody has woken up to the fact that Sturgeon is gaining support for Scottish Independence and might just pull it off.

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Somebody has woken up to the fact that Sturgeon is gaining support for Scottish Independence and might just pull it off.

Clearly you have not been keeping up with recent polls in Scotland, majority in favour of staying in the union.

30 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Somebody has woken up to the fact that Sturgeon is gaining support for Scottish Independence and might just pull it off.

Seems the English really shxxng their pants for that referendum ....putting their backroom dark forces at work ...

.

 

2 minutes ago, david555 said:

Seems the English really shxxng their pants for that referendum ....putting their backroom dark forces at work ...

.

 

It hasn't taken long for anglophobia to raise its ugly head has it. We are talking about a leader of the SNP who tried to get an innocent man imprisoned here. 

14 minutes ago, vogie said:

It hasn't taken long for anglophobia to raise its ugly head has it. We are talking about a leader of the SNP who tried to get an innocent man imprisoned here. 

Europhobia 's expected  reply of course....., 

Good morning 

16 minutes ago, vogie said:

It hasn't taken long for anglophobia to raise its ugly head has it. We are talking about a leader of the SNP who tried to get an innocent man imprisoned here. 

What is the anglophobic aspect in that post? Is it verboten to use the E word at all for fear of being accused of anglophobia? 

 

If I like a post calling English people (every single one of them) "historically bitter" and "insignificant" could I justifiably be accused of anglophobia? 

1 minute ago, david555 said:

Europhobia 's expected  reply of course....., 

Good morning 

 

I believe its called gaslighting. 

50 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Clearly you have not been keeping up with recent polls in Scotland, majority in favour of staying in the union.

 

One poll, at the most difficult moment in recent SNP history puts the union at 50%, close on the heels of 22 consecutive polls which show that independence is the preferred option for Scots. Where are you seeing this trend? 

6 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

I believe its called gaslighting. 

i had to lookit up , as some English language expression's are not common understanding for a non native English person ....  but this explains it perfect  ????

 

 

Gaslighting is a term that refers to trying to convince someone they're wrong about something even when they aren't. ... In certain situations, someone might deliberately gaslight their partner as a way of controlling them – a serious form of emotional abuse that is never acceptable.

 

Gaslighting — what are the signs and how can it be addressed ...

30 minutes ago, vogie said:

 We are talking about a leader of the SNP who tried to get an innocent man imprisoned here. 

And spending over half a million pounds of taxpayers money on Salmond's legal bill, this on top of the government's own costs. All this against the advice of a senior lawyer who urged Sturgeon and Co to admit defeat.

12 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

One poll, at the most difficult moment in recent SNP history puts the union at 50%, close on the heels of 22 consecutive polls which show that independence is the preferred option for Scots. Where are you seeing this trend? 

Appear you are not keeping up with the news coming out of Scotland, people are now once again understanding that being in the union is better than following crazy Nicola into the abyss.

6 minutes ago, david555 said:

i had to lookit up , as some English language expression's are not common understanding for a non native English person ....  but this explains it perfect  ????

 

 

Gaslighting is a term that refers to trying to convince someone they're wrong about something even when they aren't. ... In certain situations, someone might deliberately gaslight their partner as a way of controlling them – a serious form of emotional abuse that is never acceptable.

 

Gaslighting — what are the signs and how can it be addressed ...

 

It's can also be used to describe the practice of accusing others of that of which you yourself are guilty. 

12 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

What is the anglophobic aspect in that post? Is it verboten to use the E word at all for fear of being accused of anglophobia? 

 

If I like a post calling English people (every single one of them) "historically bitter" and "insignificant" could I justifiably be accused of anglophobia? 

Why do the English get singled out all the time, the UK does not just consist of England, but being your "parasitic" neighbour I guess it does make us an easy target. Constantly referring to the "English" and not the UK does by anyones standards have a touch of anglophobia about it in anyones book, but obviously not to a nationalist, would that be a fair comment RR.

 

Just now, colinneil said:

Appear you are not keeping up with the news coming out of Scotland, people are now once again understanding that being in the union is better than following crazy Nicola into the abyss.

 

That's what I am asking. Where are you seeing this news? I see a noise on twitter and I see politicians try to exploit what is clearly an own goal by the FM, but you spoke of a trend in the polls. Where is that trend? 

 

I think most people continue to understand that independence is not the SNP, its freedom from Westminster and the hated Brexit disaster. 

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

Clearly you have not been keeping up with recent polls in Scotland, majority in favour of staying in the union.

 

Whats your source for this pls????

2 minutes ago, vogie said:

Why do the English get singled out all the time, the UK does not just consist of England, but being your "parasitic" neighbour I guess it does make us an easy target. Constantly referring to the "English" and not the UK does by anyones standards have a touch of anglophobia about it in anyones book, but obviously not to a nationalist, would that be a fair comment RR.

 

 

I refer to apples when I am talking about apples, just as I refer to fruit when I am talking about fruit. 

 

But if you could point out the anglophobic aspect of the post you criticised, I would appreciate it - every day can be a learning day. 

4 minutes ago, Whale said:

 

Whats your source for this pls????

BBC

12 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

I refer to apples when I am talking about apples, just as I refer to fruit when I am talking about fruit. 

 

But if you could point out the anglophobic aspect of the post you criticised, I would appreciate it - every day can be a learning day. 

My post explains everything, but most nationalists always refer to England when they mean the UK, this is not a slip up, it is a childish way of flaming and just endorses their dislike of their "parasitic neighbour" 

Now it might be nice to actually discuss the point of this particular post, which is your FM resigning, what are your thoughts on this RR, should she go or should she stay, and are you happy with the way she has ran the country for the last 7 years and is the Scottish judicial system in need of a serious make-over. 

2 minutes ago, vogie said:

My post explains everything, but most nationalists always refer to England when they mean the UK, this is not a slip up, it is a childish way of flaming and just endorses their dislike of their "parasitic neighbour" 

Now it might be nice to actually discuss the point of this particular post, which is your FM resigning, what are your thoughts on this RR, should she go or should she stay, and are you happy with the way she has ran the country for the last 7 years and does the Scottish judicial system in need of a serious make-over. 

The noose is tightening, the only question is how long it will take: high time in my opinion.

38 minutes ago, david555 said:

i had to lookit up , as some English language expression's are not common understanding for a non native English person

I wouldn't bother David--you seem to be making a complete mess of it.

 

As someone tried to point out to you--we are talking about trying to smear a person and have him placed in Jail for sex crimes---because he is your opposition.

 

Try to read the court case Doc;s instead of rattling about some silly gaslight nonsense.

4 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

I wouldn't bother David--you seem to be making a complete mess of it.

 

As someone tried to point out to you--we are talking about trying to smear a person and have him placed in Jail for sex crimes---because he is your opposition.

 

Try to read the court case Doc;s instead of rattling about some silly gaslight nonsense.

 

While agree that it's a distraction from the topic, a serious allegation was made against david555. He has every right to challenge the accusation and the accuser. 

 

 

22 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

The noose is tightening, the only question is how long it will take: high time in my opinion.

Why high time? 

It's going to be amusing to see Sturgeon squirming as she gives evidence, but if nothing else she is a very accomplished liar so it wouldn't surprise me to see her continue to pull the wool over the eyes of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people.

 

Let's hope the truth comes out. The coverup has gone on long enough and is dragging the good name of UK politics through the mud. If this debacle is the result of devolution, maybe Boris was correct all along. It's become embarrassing at this point and the Scottish people deserve better than this from their leaders. Much better. 

1 minute ago, sanuk711 said:

I wouldn't bother David--you seem to be making a complete mess of it.

 

As someone tried to point out to you--we are talking about trying to smear a person and have him placed in Jail for sex crimes---because he is your opposition.

 

Try to read the court case Doc;s instead of rattling about some silly gaslight nonsense.

like i wrote ...." some English expressions are not familiar to understand for a non native Eng. speaker " .... so i look up the internet for explaining's , several came out , but all point in same direction what gaslighting means

 

..... now i know one English language expression more   ????..... that's all , i am not after a look up about  legal procedure to dig in....

30 minutes ago, vogie said:

My post explains everything, but most nationalists always refer to England when they mean the UK, this is not a slip up, it is a childish way of flaming and just endorses their dislike of their "parasitic neighbour" 

Now it might be nice to actually discuss the point of this particular post, which is your FM resigning, what are your thoughts on this RR, should she go or should she stay, and are you happy with the way she has ran the country for the last 7 years and is the Scottish judicial system in need of a serious make-over. 

She hasn't been found guilty of anything yet so I don't want to pre-judge her, but if she has acted unlawfully then I hope she does the decent thing and goes. 

 

I suspect, if found to have broken ministerial code or the law then she will do the decent thing.

 

Certainly I would hope that she would not follow the practices of our genuinely corrupt Westminster government, who seem to break the law at will and take no responsibility for it. Funnily enough, they seem to have your full backing no matter how badly they behave. Strange that...