David Maddox: At the risk of sounding like a cybernat...
This item Labour have just put out is possibly the most outrageous press release I can remember in my time in Holyrood, which is saying quite a lot.
I will spare you most of the gory details, but entitled: "SALMOND THREATENS TO CANCEL MORE GLASGOW PROJECTS" it claims that the First Minister during FMQs threatened to "cancel the new Southern General Hospital and the National Indoor Sports Arena if he does not get his way on the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link."
It then quotes Glasgow Shettleston MSP Frank McAveety: “The First Minister’s threat to take away funding for the National Indoor Sports Arena is just more bluster. He knows fine well that he signed a commitment to deliver this facility, which is vital to the success of the Commonwealth Games."
I had to check with some fellow hacks, that I had not dreamed what really happened in FMQs. They confirmed to me that none of the above press release is true. Mr Salmond used those projects as examples of how Glasgow is still getting a lot of infrastructure investment and at no point was there a threat to cancel them. I write this as a journalist who has not exactly been shy of criticising the First Minister.
This release probably has something to do with upcoming Glasgow North East by-election and, as a colleague pointed out to me, there are a lot of weekly papers who do not have staff here who may pick it up and report it as fact.
Not exactly the most honourable moment for Labour in Holyrood, even if ultimately it is effective.
I will spare you most of the gory details, but entitled: "SALMOND THREATENS TO CANCEL MORE GLASGOW PROJECTS" it claims that the First Minister during FMQs threatened to "cancel the new Southern General Hospital and the National Indoor Sports Arena if he does not get his way on the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link."
It then quotes Glasgow Shettleston MSP Frank McAveety: “The First Minister’s threat to take away funding for the National Indoor Sports Arena is just more bluster. He knows fine well that he signed a commitment to deliver this facility, which is vital to the success of the Commonwealth Games."
I had to check with some fellow hacks, that I had not dreamed what really happened in FMQs. They confirmed to me that none of the above press release is true. Mr Salmond used those projects as examples of how Glasgow is still getting a lot of infrastructure investment and at no point was there a threat to cancel them. I write this as a journalist who has not exactly been shy of criticising the First Minister.
This release probably has something to do with upcoming Glasgow North East by-election and, as a colleague pointed out to me, there are a lot of weekly papers who do not have staff here who may pick it up and report it as fact.
Not exactly the most honourable moment for Labour in Holyrood, even if ultimately it is effective.
Labels: Alex Salmond, David Maddox, Frank McAveety, Glasgow North East, Labour, press releases
posted by Administrator at
15:17
6 Comments:
David
Unbelievable.
Labour seem to have ramped up the spin of late, and I can't help thinking that they are on a two-year election campaign starting now. If this is indeed the case, then I would support Cameron's idea of reducing MPs (as well as MSPs,) to make them much more accountable, and work harder for the people they represent - that's us by the way, not Gordon Brown.
No, David, don't spare us the gory details. I hope this is head-lines in the Scotsman so that it gets wider circulation.
David
I think it's time for you and the Scotsman to do a bit of undercover work in North East, for a 'safe seat', Labour seem to be desperate here.
As you point out, it's getting to be quite ludicrous the mud slinging that's coming out of Gray's team, could it be that he's under pressure?
Jings, crivvens, David, that's the knight-hood oot the windae.
Browlie,
My chances of a knighthood went years ago when I helped run a campaign against the Honours and Decorations Committee to help the Russian Convy veterans get the recognition they deserve.
David M
Aye, David, go on burn your boats completely and push for a referendum. If the Scotsman objects I'll try and get you a job on the Stornoway Gazette - a quality read!
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