Sunday, June 07, 2009

WHEN DO 2 WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT? WHEN YOU ARE ALEX (THE SPIV) SALMOND THAT'S WHEN.

I suspect that the expenses issue has almost blown itself out as far as headlines are concerned but; now that it has died down a bit we are able to look again at those who have been desperately hiding and hoping it would go away. Chief among them is our slippery old friend Alex (the spiv) Salmond; chief not because of the extent of his fiddling; but because he is the first minister; he continues to display mendacity and hubris but, as the old Ayrshire plagiarist said ‘facts are chiels that winna ding,/An downa be disputed’ The facts are that he put in claims which required him to be in London to make them genuine and he was not in London, the word is fraud.

He has been challenged by the redoubtable Tory leader Annabelle Goldie to publish his diaries for this period and he is “outraged” here is his bizarre and brazen defence; He said: "I have never claimed I was in London during all of these two months - any such suggestion is absurd, and the Tories' trawl irrelevant. He wasn’t there but claimed expenses which required him to be there and he describes that as irrelevant! Apparently with him so is the truth! He digs himself in deeper with the following :-

"I am delighted to have my expenses judged by the independent audit of all MPs' claims, and make all information available to them, and am entirely confident that the position is rock solid - how many Tory MPs can say that?” Can your position be “rock solid” when you have made false claims on your expenses? What Salmond (the spiv) is really saying is when it comes to his involvement in false claims 2 wrongs do make a right. You can draw no other conclusion, he is guilty as charged but his Tory accusers were at it as well so that’s all right then! thanks for clearing that up Alex.

His shifty reply throws up another cracker; he now demands an apology from Tory leader Cameron for accusing him of benefitting from 2 jobs with this gem of rat like cunning "I wrote to David Cameron on 20 May calling on him to apologise for his misleading claims about me benefiting from two salaries, when he should know fine well that I donate my gross Holyrood salary to an independent charitable trust - now worth nearly £40,000, and which has benefited over 40 youth and community groups in North East Scotland. "I am still waiting for a reply, and in light of this recycled attack am stepping up the demand for a public apology. Absolutely ‘he haw’ to do with Ms. Goldie’s request or indeed the accusations about his expenses, I can think of a reply for him O.K. So in Alex (the spiv’s) world a politician donating large sums of money to a charitable trust bearing his mother’s name; also Salmond of course, does not benefit him in any way or; put another way £40,000 of good publicity on his own doorstep is not to his advantage” “at’s a cracker” as Frank Carson would say, the stench from (the spiv) is becoming overwhelming.

What does this tell us? 1/ he cheated on expenses. 2/ he benefitted from 2 salaries. He put forward devious; deceitful excuses designed to hide his culpability oh, and he’s Scotland’s First Minister. Lots of heads have rolled for less than this which tells us something quite disturbing about him and his party. Quite simply he is content in the knowledge that he can say and do anything he pleases; pull any stunt; he can treat his party with unconcealed contempt and there is not one single member, Councillor, MP, MSP or MEP who would dare to stand up to him, is this a healthy political party? Labour right now; warts and all; right here today is in far healthier long term shape than the SNP the comparisons could not be starker. Far better I think and far more healthy to belong to a party where members are not afraid to criticise and dispute with each other in public than be like the SNP members obsequious camp followers, terrified of the leader (the spiv) Salmond.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

you really are a hoot Terry.

you would rather belong to a party that starts wars, buys new tridents, privatises the royal mail, etc etc. sells schools to the private sector etc etc avoids democratic votes and appoints unelected lords everywhere etc etc, ID cards and spying on teh public.
What would the Labour party have to do to make paisleys Che Guevara think seriously about your membership? go on please tell us in between your next meal.

you are a fantasist

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 17:19

“What would the Labour party have to do to make paisleys Che Guevara think seriously about your membership?”

A ban on keeping pigeons and whippet racing might do it.

Oakwood said...

Alex Salmond is in deep doo doo over this and it is only a matter of time before it comes out.

I'm no Salmond apologist but to be fair when Labour councillors were exposed on STV a few years ago to be claiming for travel mileage and meals expenses when the council was not even sitting they were allowed to stay in post

Anonymous said...

ASals. expense are as nothing compared to your wee pals.

£140 to wash a couple of windows every week at Irene Adam's office.

and

Jim Sheridan

2004/5 £20,902
2005/6 £21,613
2006/7 £22,110
2007/8 £23.083

Including

£991.95 for memory foam mattress and ivory leather bed.
£699 sofa
£829 sofa bed
£219 coffee table
£199 table lamp
£359 wardrobe
£299 chest of drawers
£159 bedside cabinet
£109 mirror
£699.99 42inch plasma TV

PLease please please explain the need for both an ivory leather bed and a sofa bed.

What does a £200 table lamp look like ?

ariel said...

Let's hear it for Labour's Jim Devine - submitted an expense claim with a phony VAT number from a non-existent company.

Any comment Red One Leader?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Oakwood) 07/06/09
Alex Salmond is getting an easy ride as usual from the anti Labour press who have very little to say about the Scottish First Minister being a fraudster, why is that?

I don’t have any knowledge of these Labour councillors; perhaps you could enlighten me.

Oakwood said...

Councillor Ronnie Burns, during his time as Provost claimed travellinbg expenses and meals costs for days when Renfrewshire Council were not even sitting, including public holidays.

Google it.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 08/06/09

Jim Sheridan’s mortgage relief claims are very similar to Angus MacNeil SNP MP who claimed second home expenses of £61,000 over 3 years as well as claiming hotel expenses while staying in London despite having a flat there.

Jim’s bed and mattress were £991.95; Alex Salmond’s London bed cost £1,093 still he is the leader after all isn’t he.

I think the sofa bed might be for the same reason as I have one; to accommodate an overnight guest or for when the wife has fallen out with you.

Salmond submitted claims that required him to be in London to make them valid and he wasn’t in London, any MP is allowed to buy a bed; you are not allowed to claim London expenses when you are not there and the house isn’t even sitting. The size of the claim is irrelevant, he is a fraudster.

Is this SNP laziness or stupidity.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Oakwood) 17:23

I assumed you were talking about something else; my recollection is the same as that of Bernard Ponsonby; “the case was investigated by the Procurator Fiscal and the Standards Commission who both found no case to answer” but you have gone to the trouble of buying a rope so you might as well use it right?

So what am I to make of you now then?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(ariel) 15:47

I don’t know what Jim Devine has done; I know that he got work done by someone he knew I haven’t heard or read anything else; other than that he is being investigated.
My post was about Salmond (the spiv) any comment yellow leader?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 08/06/09

The Labour Govt. are in the eye of a perfect storm; the worst recession since the Second World War, unfairly getting the blame for the expenses scandal; being hounded by an anti Labour right wing press, half way through a third term and the SNP took 2 seats as we did and they took 1076 more of the popular vote; believe me ‘m not worried.

You seem to be suggesting that 2 each with the SNP getting more of the popular vote means they deserve to be called winners? Can you therefore accept that in the 07 May election for Renfrewshire Council Labour and the SNP took 17 seats each with Labour taking over 1,000 more of the popular vote that Labour won that election, no running away now, answer the question.

Anonymous said...

A memory foam mattress? With Jim Sheridan lying on it not constitute mental cruelty?

Sorry to be a bore but the SNP out polled Labour in Renfrewshire in the Euro. That would be the 'Perfect storm' excuse wot caused it, Right? Not the great job the SNP are doing in the council and the invisible opposition in Mr 'Mauler' McMillan.

Whens the next cage fight? I love the sight of blood.

Anonymous said...

"I don’t know what Jim Devine has done; I know that he got work done by someone he knew I haven’t heard or read anything else; other than that he is being investigated."

So you DON'T KNOW what Jim Devine has done but DO KNOW what Salmond has done - even to the point of calling him a fraudster.

I have a mental picture of you sticking your fingers in your ears and whistling when you are faced with something 'unhelpful' Terry.

As the first comment notes, you really are a hoot.

Anonymous said...

Terry.

Did Mrs Cameron declare the £70 thousand pounds profit she made when she sold her late Motherinlaws house to her son for £80 thousand pounds.

Who says that is doesn't pay to be n the SNP, it's one rule for them and one rule for us, don't you agree Terry.

Dr James Cashback.

The Brokendown Barman said...

Cllr Terry Kelly:
I think the sofa bed might be for the same reason as I have one; to accommodate an overnight guest or for when the wife has fallen out with you.

do you think that this is a valid use of the tax payers money?

Anonymous said...

Terry,

Liked the alternative SNP signs near the Polling stations on Neilston Road S.N.P. - Shuts Newer Primaries...

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 09/06/09
You think it was the SNP performance in the council! What planet are you from?

The SNP and Labour took 2 seats each and the SNP took the majority of the popular vote; since you claim that this is an SNP victory will you also accept that Labour won the last council election?
Labour 17 seats SNP 17 seats and labour with the majority of the popular vote by over a thousand?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 09/06/09

I know that Jim Devine is being investigated and if found guilty of fraud he should be punished accordingly; as should Salmond, whose case seems rather obvious he claimed London expenses and he wasn’t in London.

I am making the point that there does not seem to be a single Nat. with the courage to condemn that; this includes you.

Is he really that scary? Are you really all such cowards? You and the SNP are not a ‘hoot’ you are a disgrace.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(the broken down barman) 09/06/09

Let’s assume that a/ you have a friend; (I now but bear with me) b/ your friend visits you, c/ you invite the friend to stay, do you expect the friend to sleep on the couch or on the floor? Yes this a valid use of tax payers money.

If you would like to see a rule which states that MP’s are not allowed to have a friend, relative or guest stay with them then that would be different but that would put you in a rather strange position, still, it takes all kinds I suppose.

Alan said...

As a self-employed person, if I have a 2nd home that I utilise when working away from my normal home, I should expect to get tax relief for furniture in that home that allows friends to come and stay with me? Is this what you are saying Terry?

Derek said...

You are completely insensitive and stupid, particularly in this climate, regarding your comment re the overnight sofa.

No other business (I know because I have my own business)could even claim tax relief (never mind the full cost) of such an item, but yet you are saying that it is ok for the taxpayer to gift this because it is for an MP when he wants to have his cronies round.

I have read your blog for a while now and I must admit I never expected that could be this stupid.

The Brokendown Barman said...

so how do i claim for a sofa bed?? why should i pay my taxes so that mps and councillors can have their friends over?? do i have to pay for their dinner and breakfast as well? where does it all end terry?? where???

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 09/06/09

I think I have made my position on these matters clear; I have no interest in Cllr. Cameron’s property port folio if indeed there is such a thing; nor am I aware of any wrong doing on her behalf; anyone who has accusations of this kind should follow the proper channels.

My only interest in Cllr. Cameron is a political one and in that sense I regard her stewardship of education to be a catastrophe; the sooner she is gone the better will be the prospects for our school children.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 09/06/09

Very clever and they show a tremendous determination by the campaigners not to give up; or at least to enact revenge.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Alan) 09:16

If you are self employed and need a second home and you find that you need tax relief on items in that that home then you are living beyond your means. It is entirely a matter for you what you pay yourself or what conditions you apply to yourself; MP’s have their rules and regulations set by Parliament; you are a private Co. you make and take the profits if you don’t like it find another job.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Derek) 13:44

Well we have been talking about little else and most people agree that an MP should not be penalised by having to live in London so a residence at least similar to their home seems quite fair.

“but yet you are saying that it is ok for the taxpayer to gift this because it is for an MP when he wants to have his cronies round”

An interesting take on it but not what I said; your argument is so weak that you have to twist my words.

I said it is reasonable for an MP to have someone stay overnight with them without that person being obliged to sleep on a couch or on the floor.

You are a private citizen running a private business presumably for your own gain MP’s are public servants they serve our interests; you serve your own so stop whining and get on with it.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(the broken down barman) 15:55

MP’s are public servants; they represent us and serve our interests; they are entitled to a similar level of living when in London as they have at home.

Over the years in industry and in politics I have been obliged to stay away from home on business and the agency requesting me to do so i.e. my work or the council has always reimbursed me on my return why should MP’s be treated differently?

Notwithstanding abuses or fraud committed you have no case.

Anonymous said...

S.N.P. Shuts Newer Schools and Terry says this is 'very clever' I would hate to see what Terry thinks are the work of a genius. How about these......

S.N.P Still No Policies
S.N.P Scottish Nose Pickers
S.N.P Sex Not Politics

Damn it, my crayon has went blunt. Need to use my green one.

Alan said...

Why should an MP get better tax breaks than someone who runs their own company and employs people to the good of the nation.

You are a complete idiot.

The Brokendown Barman said...

Cllr Terry Kelly said...
If you would like to see a rule which states that MP’s are not allowed to have a friend, relative or guest stay with them then that would be different but that would put you in a rather strange position, still, it takes all kinds I suppose.

WELL YES, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RULE THAT MPS ARE NOT ALOUD TO HAVE FRIENDS STAY OVER AT OUR EXPENSE. WHY NOT BUY THEIR OWN SOFA BED?

Alan said...

You really are missing the point and you semm to think that self employed people earn huge amounts of money.

MP's earn a basic salary (before ridiculous expenses and perks) of £64766 which is more than 2.5 times the national average wage.

At this salary level you are saying that we the taxpayer should be paying for sofa's for them to have their pals over to stay! Do you really understand how ridiculous you sound?

I, like the majority of self-employed, earn less than an MP and yet I could not even claim tax relief on such an item.

In this climate, I would really have expected you to be condemning such behaviour from MP's but really you are supporting them.

Do you suggest that the taxpayer should be paying for bedding, guest towels, food, drink, hors d'oeuvres etc for MP's friends.

You are a complete idiot and are shooting youself and your own party in the foot.

Wonder if this will make the National Press like your comment which stated that "all women are thick"

Ryan Connolly said...

Re your comment to Derek.

I agree that an MP should be reimbursed at a "reasonable" level for staying in London when it is entirely necessary.

It is, however, completely unreasonable to expect the taxpayer to fund for items to allow them to have their friends to stay over. This is not necessary for them to carry out their public duties and therefore should be funded from their own pocket.

Maybe we should by them a set of clubs should they fancy around of golf?

You have descended to a level of silliness that I had previously thought that even you, could not attain

This is the attitude that is causing the problem in the country at the moment.

Incidently, most sofa beds can be picked up from around £300/£400 unlike the "luxury" one purchased by Jim Sheridan.

I know as I bought one a few months ago!

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 10/06/09

These signs seem to have upset you. Sometimes it can be something clever and simple that gets under the skin as well as reminding you that these people have good memories.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Alan) 10/06/09
I’m an idiot! You seem to think that someone who runs their own company does it for the good of the nation wow! what does that make you? Someone who runs their own company would be quite happy to sack people if there was more profit in that; profit for them that is not for the nation; you really don’t have a clue do you?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(the broken down barman) 10/06/09

I find it frustrating to say the least having to deal with this populist garbage; I have rarely read such reactionary c**p outside of a BNP or SSP/Solidarity pamphlet.

You should apply for a job with The Sun Newspaper, you could job share with Richard Littlejohn.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Alan) 11/06/09

“you semm to think that self employed people earn huge amounts of money”

No I don’t I assume that they want to.

“I, like the majority of self-employed, earn less than an MP and yet I could not even claim tax relief on such an item”

You should get yourself another job and stop whining then; MP’s are obliged to stay Monday to Friday in London to do their jobs and are entitled to a second home.

Homes have TV’s tables, chairs and yes sofa beds as well; homes are where people live and where other people visit them and sometimes stay with them.

“In this climate, I would really have expected you to be condemning such behaviour from MP's”

Suggesting that I have not condemned MPs behaviour quite simply makes you a liar.

“Do you suggest that the taxpayer should be paying for guests food drink etc”

I am OK with my taxes providing a second home similar to their main home.

“Wonder if this will make the National Press”
Be my guest; I don’t hide.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Ryan Connolly) 11/06/09

“You have descended to a level of silliness that I had previously thought that even you, could not attain”

You are suggesting that an MP should not be allowed to have a friend or even husband or wife to stay in their second home; you are saying that this home is different from your main home, no visitors are allowed in this one, this one must not have a sofa bed, and you call me silly!

I have two sofa beds one cost £400 and one cost £750 but I’m struggling not for the first time with you to see the relevance of this.

Nothing about Salmond (the spiv) then.