Civil servant who made SNP 'racist' jibe quits key post Insider says Dalgety's decision 'suits both sides' A TOP civil servant who once compared the SNP to the Omagh bombers has quit weeks after the Nationalists' win in the Holyrood election.
Susan Dalgety, one of the key officials in charge of the Scottish Executive's Malawi initiative, has walked away after Labour's defeat last month.
She has refused to comment on whether her departure is linked to her describing the SNP as being full of "oddballs" and "out-and-out racists".
Dalgety was a high-profile civil servant who joined the Executive after Jack McConnell became first minister.
A one-time Labour councillor, she became one of McConnell's press aides and acquired a reputation for being one of his closest confidantes.
She was then rewarded with the plum post of international communications manager, which involved her working on the Executive's policy of sending aid to Malawi.
Dalgety was paid around £50,000 a year to work with the Malawi media and help oversee the "co-operation agreement" struck between the Executive and the impoverished country.
However, she was said to be "gutted" after the SNP won last month's Holyrood election and was unsure whether she had a future under the Nationalist administration.
Her Labour loyalties and queasy attitude towards the SNP are said to have informed her decision to quit last week. The Sunday Herald understands her resignation was made around the same time her new bosses were reminded about a column she wrote before joining the Executive.
Written in 1998, when she was a Labour councillor, Dalgety stated: "I detest the Scottish National Party and everything it stands for."
She continued: "Scratch below the almost acceptable surface of Smarmy Alex Salmond and his small band of MPs and his barmy army is exposed as an assortment of oddballs, extremists and out-and-out racists."
Dalgety then compared the SNP to the IRA: "We need to look no further than the butchery of Omagh to see for ourselves what happens when nationalism gets out of control. Innocent children die."
She concluded: "Readers might find my gut reaction to the SNP overdramatic, but I love Scotland too much to stand by and watch it succumb to the intolerant, adolescent demands of bigots."
Dalgety informed her colleagues on Friday of her decision to quit, and her valedictory email even contained a dig at the new first minister.
"I have also been very privileged to have worked with some wonderful people here at the Executive, talented, committed, people (yes, you) who help make Scotland the best small country in the world," she said.
Salmond, much to the fury of the outgoing Executive, had mocked McConnell's "best small country" slogan.
One Executive source said: "Her resignation suits both sides. I don't think she would have found it comfortable working with us."
Dalgety is said to be considering a variety of options about her future, and has been tipped for a research post for the Labour group at Holyrood.
She said yesterday: "I want a change in direction."
Asked if she would have quit had McConnell remained as first minister, she said: "I have got nothing else to say."
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Posted by: Cochise on 9:37pm Sat 30 Jun 07
What an absolute strange bunch the British Nationalists are revealing themselves to be! The SNP want an independent Scotland and yet that somehow equates to racism and violence in in their minds? Bizarre. My trust and opinion of their ideology cannot sink any lower. They are choking Scotland with their perverted concept of Scottish politics.
What an absolute strange bunch the British Nationalists are revealing themselves to be! The SNP want an independent Scotland and yet that somehow equates to racism and violence in in their minds? Bizarre. My trust and opinion of their ideology cannot sink any lower. They are choking Scotland with their perverted concept of Scottish politics.
Posted by: Bruce, Glasgow on 9:47pm Sat 30 Jun 07
Good Riddens!!!
We might even see more of Labour's placemen jump sooner than later...I'd always understood the civil service were meant to be apolitical...and not ex council stooges... couple this with a Labour MSP's refusal to sit on a committee chaired by a conservative MSP....
There seems to be only one bunch of misoginist bigots that I see in scotland.....c'mon labour, get a grip o yersel and start to remember your once proud radical history......rather than this pathetic bile that you seem to spill out at every opportunity... your startung to sound and talk like the more mental fringe of the northern irish unionist parties... no surrender indeed...
Good Riddens!!!
We might even see more of Labour's placemen jump sooner than later...I'd always understood the civil service were meant to be apolitical...and not ex council stooges... couple this with a Labour MSP's refusal to sit on a committee chaired by a conservative MSP....
There seems to be only one bunch of misoginist bigots that I see in scotland.....c'mon labour, get a grip o yersel and start to remember your once proud radical history......rather than this pathetic bile that you seem to spill out at every opportunity... your startung to sound and talk like the more mental fringe of the northern irish unionist parties... no surrender indeed...
Posted by: Pen Name, Auchtarn on 11:17pm Sat 30 Jun 07
Sorry to hear that Susan Dalgety has been hounded out of her job, but I suppose it represents political reality.
I'm in a similar position, I suppose. I work for a Council which has SNP in control. I am a Labour party member and personally have grave concerns at some of the extreme views of Nationalists and would be happy to endorse the views she expressed in her newspaper column, although I suppose I have been rather more discreet than she has (she was a Councillor at the time and did have a column in, I think, the Evening News). Nevertheless I am sure that the Councillors with whom I work will have no problem with me, nor I with them, so long as we work in line with the Code of Conduct.
The thing is that Susan Dalgety has been doing a perfectly good job, as far as anyone knows, so it's her political views that are getting her kicked out of what is a middle ranking post. It sounds to me as if she wasn't that wide of the mark.
Sorry to hear that Susan Dalgety has been hounded out of her job, but I suppose it represents political reality.
I'm in a similar position, I suppose. I work for a Council which has SNP in control. I am a Labour party member and personally have grave concerns at some of the extreme views of Nationalists and would be happy to endorse the views she expressed in her newspaper column, although I suppose I have been rather more discreet than she has (she was a Councillor at the time and did have a column in, I think, the Evening News). Nevertheless I am sure that the Councillors with whom I work will have no problem with me, nor I with them, so long as we work in line with the Code of Conduct.
The thing is that Susan Dalgety has been doing a perfectly good job, as far as anyone knows, so it's her political views that are getting her kicked out of what is a middle ranking post. It sounds to me as if she wasn't that wide of the mark.
Posted by: Ally, Prestwick on 11:23pm Sat 30 Jun 07
Another example of Labour's contempt for the democratic process when it works against them. There is a big difference between the IRA and the SNP. Blair shook hands with the IRA.
Another example of Labour's contempt for the democratic process when it works against them. There is a big difference between the IRA and the SNP. Blair shook hands with the IRA.
Posted by: Argentocoxus, Caledonia on 11:32pm Sat 30 Jun 07
Pen Name Auchtarn @ 11:17pm Saturday
Are you not embarrassed that a former cooncillor needed £50,000 a year to tell the Malawai media that NuLabour were so concerned about a' thae puir black bairns.
Pass the sickbag. £5 an hour is what she should have accepted and sent the other £20 an hour to Africa.
Pen Name Auchtarn @ 11:17pm Saturday
Are you not embarrassed that a former cooncillor needed £50,000 a year to tell the Malawai media that NuLabour were so concerned about a' thae puir black bairns.
Pass the sickbag. £5 an hour is what she should have accepted and sent the other £20 an hour to Africa.
Posted by: MacShimmy on 11:49pm Sat 30 Jun 07
This woman, Susan Dalgety, is the very best illustration, actually caricature, of the quality of the former labour government. This awful, degrading, subserviant mentality, doesn't just generate anger in normal people, but generate at the same time the kind of pity one feels for a fellow human in abject distress. Something is WRONG with this lady and those who think like her.
If nothing else Prime Minister Salmond and his party have shown the fundamental difference between an "Upstairs " mentality and the degrading self imposed "Downstairs" mentality so ably illustrated by Susan Dalgety. I suppose she is looking for a job as someone's good and faithful Uriah MacHeep.
Loves her country indeed!!
This woman, Susan Dalgety, is the very best illustration, actually caricature, of the quality of the former labour government. This awful, degrading, subserviant mentality, doesn't just generate anger in normal people, but generate at the same time the kind of pity one feels for a fellow human in abject distress. Something is WRONG with this lady and those who think like her.
If nothing else Prime Minister Salmond and his party have shown the fundamental difference between an "Upstairs " mentality and the degrading self imposed "Downstairs" mentality so ably illustrated by Susan Dalgety. I suppose she is looking for a job as someone's good and faithful Uriah MacHeep.
Loves her country indeed!!
Posted by: Pen Name, Auchtarn on 11:50pm Sat 30 Jun 07
Ally, how is the SNP sacking an established civil servant for her political views an example of Labour having contempt for the democratic process?
Argentocoxus, Ms Dalgety has been getting the rate for the job. She is a civil servant, not a special adviser, who seems to have been performing satisfactorily, and now the SNP is kicking her out for political reasons. This really isn't acceptable. Scotland is a small enough place and we should not put up with political hiring and firings like this. The SNP seems to be working towards a political civil service like in the federal US.
Ally, how is the SNP sacking an established civil servant for her political views an example of Labour having contempt for the democratic process?
Argentocoxus, Ms Dalgety has been getting the rate for the job. She is a civil servant, not a special adviser, who seems to have been performing satisfactorily, and now the SNP is kicking her out for political reasons. This really isn't acceptable. Scotland is a small enough place and we should not put up with political hiring and firings like this. The SNP seems to be working towards a political civil service like in the federal US.
Posted by: Pen Name, Auchtarn on 11:52pm Sat 30 Jun 07
MacShimmy - you don't like the views of this civil servant so you think the SNP administration share right to sack her?
Should other civil servants be expected to kowtow to the ideology of the present administration?
MacShimmy - you don't like the views of this civil servant so you think the SNP administration share right to sack her?
Should other civil servants be expected to kowtow to the ideology of the present administration?
Posted by: Argentocoxus, Caledonia on 12:01am Sun 1 Jul 07
Sorry, Pen Name, but the article says she quit. She was not hounded out. Surely if her distaste for the SNP was so bitter she should have resigned on 4th May. Was she hanging on just in case Salmond fell under an Edinburgh tram and the NuLabour family would have been back in business with sinecures for eejits, numpties and rslickers?
Accepting £50,000 a year when so many Malawians get by on a dollar a day smacks of "Blessed are the poor so long as I'm not one of them." Pass the sickbag - quick!
Sorry, Pen Name, but the article says she quit. She was not hounded out. Surely if her distaste for the SNP was so bitter she should have resigned on 4th May. Was she hanging on just in case Salmond fell under an Edinburgh tram and the NuLabour family would have been back in business with sinecures for eejits, numpties and rslickers?
Accepting £50,000 a year when so many Malawians get by on a dollar a day smacks of "Blessed are the poor so long as I'm not one of them." Pass the sickbag - quick!
Posted by: Pen Name, Auchtarn on 12:10am Sun 1 Jul 07
Argentocoxus - the story says she quit, and you may conclude that she did so as a matter of a whim, but I thimk it is unlikely she left a well-paying permanent civil service post completely voluntarily. The whole point of being a civil servant is that you can continue in employment whatever administration is in place.
As for your comments on how appropriate it is for a civil servant working on a development programme to retain their salary - would you say that civil servants working for DFiD in East Kilbride should forego their pay?
Or is this just yet another bit of sectarian SNP hackery?
Argentocoxus - the story says she quit, and you may conclude that she did so as a matter of a whim, but I thimk it is unlikely she left a well-paying permanent civil service post completely voluntarily. The whole point of being a civil servant is that you can continue in employment whatever administration is in place.
As for your comments on how appropriate it is for a civil servant working on a development programme to retain their salary - would you say that civil servants working for DFiD in East Kilbride should forego their pay?
Or is this just yet another bit of sectarian SNP hackery?
Posted by: Bill, Edinburgh on 12:19am Sun 1 Jul 07
I know this woman personally and her family and she should be the last person to call people racist. nasty person I'm glad she's gone
I know this woman personally and her family and she should be the last person to call people racist. nasty person I'm glad she's gone
Posted by: MacShimmy on 12:28am Sun 1 Jul 07
Pen Name, Auchtarn on 11:52pm Sat 30 Jun 07:
Her comments were not those of a neutral civil servant. They were the political statements of a bigot and a fool. A bigot because of the content, and a fool because she had no understanding of the basic requirements of her position.
If you can't understand the difference, then it's likely your share her predisposition, especially the latter.
Pen Name, Auchtarn on 11:52pm Sat 30 Jun 07:
Her comments were not those of a neutral civil servant. They were the political statements of a bigot and a fool. A bigot because of the content, and a fool because she had no understanding of the basic requirements of her position.
If you can't understand the difference, then it's likely your share her predisposition, especially the latter.
Posted by: Im not here on 12:28am Sun 1 Jul 07
"However, she was said to be "gutted" after the SNP won last month's Holyrood election and was unsure whether she had a future under the Nationalist administration."
Oh, come on now. I'm sure Alex and Nicola would have been quite happy to SEND her to Malawi, as Scotland's first, permanent (and non-returnable) representative. (That's not being racist is it?)
"...but I love Scotland too much to stand by and watch it succumb to the intolerant, adolescent demands of bigots." Me too, that's why I hope she never has another job of any significance in Scottish politics again.
"I have also been very privileged to have worked with some wonderful people here at the Executive, talented, committed, people (yes, you) who help make Scotland the best small country in the world," - She obviously didn't read that report a few weeks ago which officially put Scotland as "the worst wee country in Europe". She will do well as a Labour Group researcher - I hope they have more just like her.
"However, she was said to be "gutted" after the SNP won last month's Holyrood election and was unsure whether she had a future under the Nationalist administration."
Oh, come on now. I'm sure Alex and Nicola would have been quite happy to SEND her to Malawi, as Scotland's first, permanent (and non-returnable) representative. (That's not being racist is it?)
"...but I love Scotland too much to stand by and watch it succumb to the intolerant, adolescent demands of bigots." Me too, that's why I hope she never has another job of any significance in Scottish politics again.
"I have also been very privileged to have worked with some wonderful people here at the Executive, talented, committed, people (yes, you) who help make Scotland the best small country in the world," - She obviously didn't read that report a few weeks ago which officially put Scotland as "the worst wee country in Europe". She will do well as a Labour Group researcher - I hope they have more just like her.
Posted by: Thomas, Kilmarnock on 12:34am Sun 1 Jul 07
Why is it racist to want your own country to govern itself? Was America racist when it kicked the british out and declared independance. When unionist parties rubbish independance as an option, its not the SNP they are insulting, its all of Scotland, they are telling the scottish people that, unlike the rest of the world, Scotland could not make it alone, we couldnt manage it, we dont have the talents, mentality or willpower for it. They are wrong.
Why is it racist to want your own country to govern itself? Was America racist when it kicked the british out and declared independance. When unionist parties rubbish independance as an option, its not the SNP they are insulting, its all of Scotland, they are telling the scottish people that, unlike the rest of the world, Scotland could not make it alone, we couldnt manage it, we dont have the talents, mentality or willpower for it. They are wrong.
Posted by: Richard, Edinburgh on 12:40am Sun 1 Jul 07
Why should the SNP, having won office fairly and squarely last month, have given the proverbial monkey's about such an apparently undistinguished member of the Labour nomenklatura? Frankly, despite her imbecilic and intemperate remarks, she wouldn't have been worth bothering about in the slightest.
Anyone leaving themselves in a position where they could ever be described as being 'gutted' that a party other than their own had won the election, is completely unsuited to holding a position demanding public impartiality. Sounds to me like she's done us all a favour by getting out of public life.
Why should the SNP, having won office fairly and squarely last month, have given the proverbial monkey's about such an apparently undistinguished member of the Labour nomenklatura? Frankly, despite her imbecilic and intemperate remarks, she wouldn't have been worth bothering about in the slightest.
Anyone leaving themselves in a position where they could ever be described as being 'gutted' that a party other than their own had won the election, is completely unsuited to holding a position demanding public impartiality. Sounds to me like she's done us all a favour by getting out of public life.
Posted by: Pen Name, Auchtarn on 12:51am Sun 1 Jul 07
MacShimmy - she wasn't a neutral civil servant at the time she wrote her newspaper column, and the possession of political views isn't a disqualification for professional work in thr UK civil service. Your personal insults don't help your arguments.
Im not here - she didn't have a job of any significance in Scottish politics. She is a civil servant. That's government, not politics, and the SNP is trying to blur the distinction. Your personal insults don't help your arguments.
Thomas - it isn't racist to want one's country to govern itself and she never suggested it was. She was railling against the extremism that lies below the surface of many Nats, some of which amounts to racism, and she pointed to what happens when Nationalists really get the hump - people get killed, like in Omagh.
But to have appreciated that, you'd need to read what she actually said, which is difficult when you're blinded by a patriotic red mist.
This raises another serious point. Nationalists should accept that their political opponents are not anti-patriotic, they are not traitors, and they are not trying to do their country down. Most are actually OK about this in my experience, but there are many whose attitudes change when under stress or when contradicted, and then, you need to be careful.
MacShimmy - she wasn't a neutral civil servant at the time she wrote her newspaper column, and the possession of political views isn't a disqualification for professional work in thr UK civil service. Your personal insults don't help your arguments.
Im not here - she didn't have a job of any significance in Scottish politics. She is a civil servant. That's government, not politics, and the SNP is trying to blur the distinction. Your personal insults don't help your arguments.
Thomas - it isn't racist to want one's country to govern itself and she never suggested it was. She was railling against the extremism that lies below the surface of many Nats, some of which amounts to racism, and she pointed to what happens when Nationalists really get the hump - people get killed, like in Omagh.
But to have appreciated that, you'd need to read what she actually said, which is difficult when you're blinded by a patriotic red mist.
This raises another serious point. Nationalists should accept that their political opponents are not anti-patriotic, they are not traitors, and they are not trying to do their country down. Most are actually OK about this in my experience, but there are many whose attitudes change when under stress or when contradicted, and then, you need to be careful.
Posted by: Thomas on 1:48am Sun 1 Jul 07
Pen Name, I must disagree with your statements for several reasons. You say I, and some others, are blinded by patriotic red mist but yet you agreed with me that it is not racist to want one's country to govern itself, and that was my main point. As for those extremists in the SNP, below the surface extremists at any rate, what are their names? and what did they say that was racist? Come back with that and if its racist I will be the first to condem it. You cant just say these things without any proof or evidence, lay it out for all to see. As for Nationalists getting the hump, yes its true to say in some countries nationalists have done despicable things. But as for the SNP, a party created in the 1920's or early 1930's, give me a date when they have got the hump, or killed anyone for that matter. If you find proof the SNP have killed or have racists beneath their surface then I will gladly join you in demonising this party. I rather doubt you will have names, dates or anything substancial to back this vile slur up with, but I wish you luck anyway.
Pen Name, I must disagree with your statements for several reasons. You say I, and some others, are blinded by patriotic red mist but yet you agreed with me that it is not racist to want one's country to govern itself, and that was my main point. As for those extremists in the SNP, below the surface extremists at any rate, what are their names? and what did they say that was racist? Come back with that and if its racist I will be the first to condem it. You cant just say these things without any proof or evidence, lay it out for all to see. As for Nationalists getting the hump, yes its true to say in some countries nationalists have done despicable things. But as for the SNP, a party created in the 1920's or early 1930's, give me a date when they have got the hump, or killed anyone for that matter. If you find proof the SNP have killed or have racists beneath their surface then I will gladly join you in demonising this party. I rather doubt you will have names, dates or anything substancial to back this vile slur up with, but I wish you luck anyway.
Posted by: Mike, Edinburgh on 5:04am Sun 1 Jul 07
Pen Name, I and every other SNP supporter would defend your right to speak out against the SNP with facts. However facts do not seem to be easy for members of a failed party who need to grow up and debate facts on the non performance of a labour party who bullied elected MSP's and suppressed their opinions.
This woman was not sacked, her foul minded brainwashing by the Labour Party resulted in her resigning. As to her position, lets look at the fact that a political friendship position was created for her by Wee Jokeee which is freely admitted in this column. Weee Jokeee acted illegaly in appointing any civil servant in this manner because it is corruption. No one else more/as qualified even had a chance at this position. Do you also find that this was a crime and unfair to anyone who would have loved the opportunity for a legitimate career with the Scottish Parliament.
You my friend, judging by your unfounded statements wouldnt have a clue about honest and open government. You like this very sad woman are so brainwashed by the Labour Machine that you just dont get it. If I ever heard an SNP politician or supporter spouting a racist view I would have no hesitation in personaly rebuking them as not fit to be a member of the SNP, a very strong believe in rights and democracy are the cornerstones of the SNP policy.
Pen Name, I and every other SNP supporter would defend your right to speak out against the SNP with facts. However facts do not seem to be easy for members of a failed party who need to grow up and debate facts on the non performance of a labour party who bullied elected MSP's and suppressed their opinions.
This woman was not sacked, her foul minded brainwashing by the Labour Party resulted in her resigning. As to her position, lets look at the fact that a political friendship position was created for her by Wee Jokeee which is freely admitted in this column. Weee Jokeee acted illegaly in appointing any civil servant in this manner because it is corruption. No one else more/as qualified even had a chance at this position. Do you also find that this was a crime and unfair to anyone who would have loved the opportunity for a legitimate career with the Scottish Parliament.
You my friend, judging by your unfounded statements wouldnt have a clue about honest and open government. You like this very sad woman are so brainwashed by the Labour Machine that you just dont get it. If I ever heard an SNP politician or supporter spouting a racist view I would have no hesitation in personaly rebuking them as not fit to be a member of the SNP, a very strong believe in rights and democracy are the cornerstones of the SNP policy.
Posted by: Brian Hill, London on 5:46am Sun 1 Jul 07
It's a shame that Susan has left her post. Had she worked with her new SNP bosses she would have seen first hand that her assessment of them was completely unfounded and that far from being a threat to Scotland they will be the best thing which has happened to Scotland in living memory.....I almost said since Oil but that's the best thing that's happened to London in living memory.
It's a shame that Susan has left her post. Had she worked with her new SNP bosses she would have seen first hand that her assessment of them was completely unfounded and that far from being a threat to Scotland they will be the best thing which has happened to Scotland in living memory.....I almost said since Oil but that's the best thing that's happened to London in living memory.
Posted by: Karenisabitch, Keelovergate on 7:21am Sun 1 Jul 07
The woman is a bigot and a tribalist - good riddance to her - it's good to see some of the Labour numpties being ousted. Let's see more of it!
The woman is a bigot and a tribalist - good riddance to her - it's good to see some of the Labour numpties being ousted. Let's see more of it!
Posted by: donald anderson, glasgow on 8:05am Sun 1 Jul 07
A common misconception among Labour British Nationalists and even among the Brit left. I left the SSP because of those within who repeated, and still do, these misconceptions whilst remaining unchecked. Instead, those who replied to them were vilified.
A common misconception among Labour British Nationalists and even among the Brit left. I left the SSP because of those within who repeated, and still do, these misconceptions whilst remaining unchecked. Instead, those who replied to them were vilified.
Posted by: Guga, Rockall on 8:49am Sun 1 Jul 07
Civil servants are supposed to be apolitical, and this woman obviously wasn't. She was obviously, however, one of the many New Labour placemen that infect the civil service, both in Scotland and in the UK.
We, the Scottish people, are well rid of such ignorant, ill-informed, biased numpties. The only pity is that there are still a lot of them in place in the civil service.
Civil servants are supposed to be apolitical, and this woman obviously wasn't. She was obviously, however, one of the many New Labour placemen that infect the civil service, both in Scotland and in the UK.
We, the Scottish people, are well rid of such ignorant, ill-informed, biased numpties. The only pity is that there are still a lot of them in place in the civil service.
Posted by: Swilly Tisher, Loch Maree on 9:08am Sun 1 Jul 07
Generous of spirit , a more open-minded , less racist political party than the SNP would be nigh impossible to find. And some of its most ardent supporters hail from well south of Hadrian's Wall.Alex Salmond , in the aftermath of yesterday's traumatic events at Glasgow Airport , made it abundantly clear that his Government seeks to embace all our communities.
Generous of spirit , a more open-minded , less racist political party than the SNP would be nigh impossible to find. And some of its most ardent supporters hail from well south of Hadrian's Wall.Alex Salmond , in the aftermath of yesterday's traumatic events at Glasgow Airport , made it abundantly clear that his Government seeks to embace all our communities.
Posted by: Expat-KH on 9:25am Sun 1 Jul 07
Does Ms. Dalgety, a mid-level civil servant (and ex-Stirling Observer if I'm right), really deserve so many column inches? Her diatribe against the SNP (with extracts supplied above) betray the sort of narrow-minded "we deserve to rule" (undignified and unqualified) bigotry now emanating from Labour and their supporters.
"One of the key officials in charge of the Malawi initiative"? The same initiative that appears to have struggled to get off the ground? Yet another rather poor indication of the calibre of some of Labour's placemen and women?
Best "small country" in the world - good to see Labour and their acolytes continue to display a clear lack of vision for their country. Guess her departure boosts the talent level in the press office if nothing else.
Does Ms. Dalgety, a mid-level civil servant (and ex-Stirling Observer if I'm right), really deserve so many column inches? Her diatribe against the SNP (with extracts supplied above) betray the sort of narrow-minded "we deserve to rule" (undignified and unqualified) bigotry now emanating from Labour and their supporters.
"One of the key officials in charge of the Malawi initiative"? The same initiative that appears to have struggled to get off the ground? Yet another rather poor indication of the calibre of some of Labour's placemen and women?
Best "small country" in the world - good to see Labour and their acolytes continue to display a clear lack of vision for their country. Guess her departure boosts the talent level in the press office if nothing else.
Posted by: ProleofPaisley, Scotland on 9:33am Sun 1 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Pen Name[/bold] wrote:
Ally, how is the SNP sacking an established civil servant for her political views an example of Labour having contempt for the democratic process? Argentocoxus, Ms Dalgety has been getting the rate for the job. She is a civil servant, not a special adviser, who seems to have been performing satisfactorily, and now the SNP is kicking her out for political reasons. This really isn't acceptable. Scotland is a small enough place and we should not put up with political hiring and firings like this. The SNP seems to be working towards a political civil service like in the federal US. [/quote] Sacking? Where in the article does it say sacking?
She quit, good riddance, the Scottsh Civil Service is awash with Labour hacks and placepersons and the sooner they realise that their grip on power was loosened on May 3rd the better!
Pen Name wrote:
Ally, how is the SNP sacking an established civil servant for her political views an example of Labour having contempt for the democratic process? Argentocoxus, Ms Dalgety has been getting the rate for the job. She is a civil servant, not a special adviser, who seems to have been performing satisfactorily, and now the SNP is kicking her out for political reasons. This really isn't acceptable. Scotland is a small enough place and we should not put up with political hiring and firings like this. The SNP seems to be working towards a political civil service like in the federal US.
Sacking? Where in the article does it say sacking?
She quit, good riddance, the Scottsh Civil Service is awash with Labour hacks and placepersons and the sooner they realise that their grip on power was loosened on May 3rd the better!
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 10:18am Sun 1 Jul 07
More McConnell sleaze which should be investigated by the Police.
"A one-time Labour councillor, she became one of McConnell's press aides and acquired a reputation for being one of his closest confidantes.
She was then rewarded with the plum post of international communications manager."
This is corruption and nepotism at its worst and shows everything that is rotten about the Labour party. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
More McConnell sleaze which should be investigated by the Police.
"A one-time Labour councillor, she became one of McConnell's press aides and acquired a reputation for being one of his closest confidantes.
She was then rewarded with the plum post of international communications manager."
This is corruption and nepotism at its worst and shows everything that is rotten about the Labour party. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
Posted by: Blair, is a war criminal on 10:33am Sun 1 Jul 07
Is this stupid c*w related to Anne Moffat?
Is this stupid c*w related to Anne Moffat?
Posted by: Conway on 11:08am Sun 1 Jul 07
Read the article
She [bold]resigned[/bold] she was not sacked !!!!
Read the article
She
resigned she was not sacked !!!!
Posted by: Chris D, Edinburgh on 11:35am Sun 1 Jul 07
Civil servants are not allowed to express political views - or they certainly were not when I was in the civil service. NuLabour politicised the civil service in London and Edinburgh, breaking the rules of impartiality of the administrative sector of government, so now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Civil servants are not allowed to express political views - or they certainly were not when I was in the civil service. NuLabour politicised the civil service in London and Edinburgh, breaking the rules of impartiality of the administrative sector of government, so now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Posted by: bullyweealba, Edinburgh on 11:35am Sun 1 Jul 07
Goodness me, is this lady typical of an extremist and intolerant strain running through the now discredited North British Labour Party?
To equate the Civic Nationalism of the SNP to a terrorist organisation responsible for the murder thousands of innocent men, women and children, smacks of unadulterated bile, ignorance and spite.
She is a disgrace to her family, her employer and her country.
Goodness me, is this lady typical of an extremist and intolerant strain running through the now discredited North British Labour Party?
To equate the Civic Nationalism of the SNP to a terrorist organisation responsible for the murder thousands of innocent men, women and children, smacks of unadulterated bile, ignorance and spite.
She is a disgrace to her family, her employer and her country.
Posted by: frank mcbride, lusitania on 1:17pm Sun 1 Jul 07
Pen Name.
She resigned because she is about to take up a job as a NuLab political adviser.
Pen Name.
She resigned because she is about to take up a job as a NuLab political adviser.
Posted by: Andy Highland, west coast on 3:13pm Sun 1 Jul 07
can only presume that this wummin dal get tae will not br receiving anykind of redundancy payment,since she did jack the job in no doubt she will sneek away with a hefty pension paid for by the Scottish people sorry English tax payer should she give the money to Malwi
can only presume that this wummin dal get tae will not br receiving anykind of redundancy payment,since she did jack the job in no doubt she will sneek away with a hefty pension paid for by the Scottish people sorry English tax payer should she give the money to Malwi
Posted by: Kenny on 4:34pm Sun 1 Jul 07
I find it appaling that this intolerant and poisonous individual was paid £50k a year of public money.
I would be interested in finding out when and where her post was advertised and whether there was a competitive short-leeting and interview process.
That new labour are now apparently offering this woman employment is perhaps an example of the institution's terminal decline.
I find it appaling that this intolerant and poisonous individual was paid £50k a year of public money.
I would be interested in finding out when and where her post was advertised and whether there was a competitive short-leeting and interview process.
That new labour are now apparently offering this woman employment is perhaps an example of the institution's terminal decline.
Posted by: Kenny on 5:14pm Sun 1 Jul 07
Oh and by the way folks. Re "Pen Name" from "Auchtarn". Auchtarn isnt a real place it was the fictitional name of the hotel in Take the High Road!
Oh and by the way folks. Re "Pen Name" from "Auchtarn". Auchtarn isnt a real place it was the fictitional name of the hotel in Take the High Road!
Posted by: Red McGregor on 6:22pm Sun 1 Jul 07
Pen Name wrote:
[quote]She was railling against the extremism that lies below the surface of many Nats, some of which amounts to racism, and she pointed to what happens when Nationalists really get the hump - people get killed, like in Omagh.[/quote]
Who is this supposed racism directed towards? Is it English people, well, my grandfather is English and I have been a member of the SNP since I was 21. Is it toward people of ethnic minority? Yet Bashir Maan is proud to sit in parliament for the SNP and the SNP are proud to have someone of his talents and experience.
In what form does the extremism of the SNP manifest? Is it a determination to democratic change, then again, obviously not because democratic change is peaceful change. Is it to create a sovereign Scotland, well, once again no, because the SNP are committed to a democratic sovereign Scotland through a process of democracy. Is it the fact that SNP want Scotland to be independent that makes our beliefs extreme bearing in mind that nation-states are widely considered to be [bold]the[/bold] legitimate form of government (see Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and Rousseau's political philosophy).
As for your comparison to Omagh that is just pathetic and you have revaled yourself as not just an idiot but a complete idiot because you insult and degrade the suffering of families of victims and the victims by using that as a cheap political points scoring tool.
My opinion of the British Nationalists cannot sinki any lower and I am so glad the Labour British Nationalists were booted from power by the Scottish electorate.
Gandhi said:
"My nationalism, fierce though it is, is not exclusive, is not devised to harm any nation or individual"..."viole
nt nationalism, otherwise known as imperialism, is the curse"
I think, Pen Name, you should question your blind allegiances.
Pen Name wrote:
She was railling against the extremism that lies below the surface of many Nats, some of which amounts to racism, and she pointed to what happens when Nationalists really get the hump - people get killed, like in Omagh.
Who is this supposed racism directed towards? Is it English people, well, my grandfather is English and I have been a member of the SNP since I was 21. Is it toward people of ethnic minority? Yet Bashir Maan is proud to sit in parliament for the SNP and the SNP are proud to have someone of his talents and experience.
In what form does the extremism of the SNP manifest? Is it a determination to democratic change, then again, obviously not because democratic change is peaceful change. Is it to create a sovereign Scotland, well, once again no, because the SNP are committed to a democratic sovereign Scotland through a process of democracy. Is it the fact that SNP want Scotland to be independent that makes our beliefs extreme bearing in mind that nation-states are widely considered to be
the legitimate form of government (see Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and Rousseau's political philosophy).
As for your comparison to Omagh that is just pathetic and you have revaled yourself as not just an idiot but a complete idiot because you insult and degrade the suffering of families of victims and the victims by using that as a cheap political points scoring tool.
My opinion of the British Nationalists cannot sinki any lower and I am so glad the Labour British Nationalists were booted from power by the Scottish electorate.
Gandhi said:
"My nationalism, fierce though it is, is not exclusive, is not devised to harm any nation or individual"..."viole
nt nationalism, otherwise known as imperialism, is the curse"
I think, Pen Name, you should question your blind allegiances.
Posted by: Cochise on 7:36pm Sun 1 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Kenny[/bold] wrote:
Oh and by the way folks. Re "Pen Name" from "Auchtarn". Auchtarn isnt a real place it was the fictitional name of the hotel in Take the High Road![/quote] Why would Pen Name use Auctarn as a place if it's fictional?
The views expressed by Pen Name are so stupid she is either a SNP supporter pretending to be genuine and so to try to undemine the British Nationalists, or a British Nationalist who is a High Road fan, or is Pen Name really Dalgety?
Kenny wrote:
Oh and by the way folks. Re "Pen Name" from "Auchtarn". Auchtarn isnt a real place it was the fictitional name of the hotel in Take the High Road!
Why would Pen Name use Auctarn as a place if it's fictional?
The views expressed by Pen Name are so stupid she is either a SNP supporter pretending to be genuine and so to try to undemine the British Nationalists, or a British Nationalist who is a High Road fan, or is Pen Name really Dalgety?
Posted by: troubled adolescence, alabaman correctional facility on 9:28am Mon 2 Jul 07
There are two classes of public servant in Scotland
The first calss is composed of individuals who have gone through a rigorous, scientific, impartial selection procedure of examinations and interviews to serve as politically neutral civil servants of whatever administration the voter chooses.
The second type are Labour cronnies, ex councillors for example, who are given sinecures at public expense because of their politics. This latter group have an expectation of favour. They will only work for a Labour administration and make no pretence at neutrality.
The existence of the latter group are the direct consequence of the Blair/ McConnell years. That they now wish to resign is fine. However we need a national debate on the politicisation of public service to set parameters to at least contain it.
Brown might favour that, Salmond certainly would, but parasites like Pen Name and Dalgety would not.
There are two classes of public servant in Scotland
The first calss is composed of individuals who have gone through a rigorous, scientific, impartial selection procedure of examinations and interviews to serve as politically neutral civil servants of whatever administration the voter chooses.
The second type are Labour cronnies, ex councillors for example, who are given sinecures at public expense because of their politics. This latter group have an expectation of favour. They will only work for a Labour administration and make no pretence at neutrality.
The existence of the latter group are the direct consequence of the Blair/ McConnell years. That they now wish to resign is fine. However we need a national debate on the politicisation of public service to set parameters to at least contain it.
Brown might favour that, Salmond certainly would, but parasites like Pen Name and Dalgety would not.
Posted by: Boris, Edinburgh on 1:19pm Mon 2 Jul 07
Pen Name,
"when Nationalists really get the hump - people get killed, like in Omagh."
I dont really worry about individual people, but this point makes me physically sick - I cannot really expect anyone to believe this.
Do you understand that the IRA movement was Republican, not Nationalist.
Why are the Labour Party not British nationalists in your book? The issue of Scottish independence is defined by British nationalism as much as Scottish nationalism. The duplicity in acknowledging one form over another is simply arrogance. Labour's policies in Scotland, and the wider UK, are defined by Unionism - even if it is not mentioned at Westminster.
So Pen Name, when will the Katusha rockets be fired on Berwick then?
Pen Name,
"when Nationalists really get the hump - people get killed, like in Omagh."
I dont really worry about individual people, but this point makes me physically sick - I cannot really expect anyone to believe this.
Do you understand that the IRA movement was Republican, not Nationalist.
Why are the Labour Party not British nationalists in your book? The issue of Scottish independence is defined by British nationalism as much as Scottish nationalism. The duplicity in acknowledging one form over another is simply arrogance. Labour's policies in Scotland, and the wider UK, are defined by Unionism - even if it is not mentioned at Westminster.
So Pen Name, when will the Katusha rockets be fired on Berwick then?
Posted by: Red McGregor on 5:23pm Mon 2 Jul 07
I mistakenly wrote:
[bold]Yet Bashir Maan is proud to sit in parliament for the SNP and the SNP are proud to have someone of his talents and experience.[/bold]
I meant to write, of course, of Bashir Ahmad who was recently elected to serve as a SNP MSP and not Bashir Maan who is Scotland's representative on the Muslim COuncil of Great Britain. I apologise for the mix-up.
I mistakenly wrote:
Yet Bashir Maan is proud to sit in parliament for the SNP and the SNP are proud to have someone of his talents and experience.
I meant to write, of course, of Bashir Ahmad who was recently elected to serve as a SNP MSP and not Bashir Maan who is Scotland's representative on the Muslim COuncil of Great Britain. I apologise for the mix-up.
Posted by: Willie, Glasgow on 2:49pm Tue 3 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Blair[/bold] wrote:
Is this stupid c*w related to Anne Moffat?[/quote] Hahahaha. My thoughts as well!
If any more of them want to resign then I am sure the SNP government will be delighted to accept the resignation letters (keep 'em brief folks!). More efficiency savings brought to us by the SNP... :o)
Blair wrote:
Is this stupid c*w related to Anne Moffat?
Hahahaha. My thoughts as well!
If any more of them want to resign then I am sure the SNP government will be delighted to accept the resignation letters (keep 'em brief folks!). More efficiency savings brought to us by the SNP... :o)
Posted by: Joe Middleton, Edinburgh on 6:21pm Thu 5 Jul 07
She hasn't been sacked, she's resigned. However it shows extraordinary bad judgement from Labour to have employed this person in the first place and not to have given her the boot after her disgusting remarks about the SNP. Of course one of their MP's recently had the brass neck to compare Alex Salmond with Hitler and nothing happened to her either.
Labour have always liked to imply some kind of nastyness to Scottish nationalism however they forget the real nasty nationalism is British nationalism with its belief in its own superiority.
Scottish nationalism is civic in nature and is about a better deal for everyone who lives here (no matter their origins) by ruling our own country ourselves and spending our own money.
Good riddence to this prurient individual and the dodgy double standards she represents.
She hasn't been sacked, she's resigned. However it shows extraordinary bad judgement from Labour to have employed this person in the first place and not to have given her the boot after her disgusting remarks about the SNP. Of course one of their MP's recently had the brass neck to compare Alex Salmond with Hitler and nothing happened to her either.
Labour have always liked to imply some kind of nastyness to Scottish nationalism however they forget the real nasty nationalism is British nationalism with its belief in its own superiority.
Scottish nationalism is civic in nature and is about a better deal for everyone who lives here (no matter their origins) by ruling our own country ourselves and spending our own money.
Good riddence to this prurient individual and the dodgy double standards she represents.
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