Wife-beater ex-SNP MSP blasted for blaming VICTIMS for ending his career
'APPALLING' Wife-beater ex-SNP MSP blasted for blaming VICTIMS for ending his career
A FORMER MSP who was jailed for domestic abuse has blamed his victims for ending his political career.
Wife-beater Bill Walker, 83, also claims in his memoir he was the target of a 'vendetta'.
3
Disgraced former MSP Bill Walker leaves Dumfries Prison after serving half of his 12-month sentence for a catalogue of domestic abuse offences
Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
3
Domestic abuse campaigners rallied outside the Scottish Parliament after he refused to give up his seat
Credit: Jeff3
Sneering Walker has blamed the victims of his violent crimes for ending his political career
The ex-SNP member for Dunfermline was caged for 12 months in 2013 after being convicted of 23 charges spanning 30 years.
They included battering three former spouses and a stepdaughter.
But in his self-published book, the unrepentant brute says: 'My former wives succeeded in ending prematurely my political life.'
He added that his victims had sought to 'discredit me and destroy the modest successes of my life'.
He claimed he penned the book 'to set the record straight'.
Danielle Secker bravely shares her story of horrific domestic abuse
But Tory MSP Sharon Dowey hit out: 'These shameful comments are the worst type of victim-blaming.
'Walker alone ended his career through his dreadful criminal behaviour, not the poor women on the receiving end of his abuse.'
A spokesman for the SNP, who expelled Walker in 2012, said last night: 'These are appalling comments.
"He should apologise to all those he wronged.'
Walker was contacted for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Legal arguments grounded in international covenants remain symbolic
Mike's argument hinges on the idea that a democratic mandate within the Scottish Parliament, supported by international instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), can create a legal obligation on Westminster to hold a referendum and respect its outcome. This reflects a critical misunderstanding of UK constitutional law and the nature of sovereignty. READ MORE: Would a Scottish sovereign wealth fund be possible after independence? Under the constitutional doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty – a cornerstone of UK constitutional theory established since R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (2017) – no devolved institution can lawfully alter the constitutional status of the UK without Westminster's explicit consent. The UK Supreme Court's 2022 judgment reaffirmed this principle: the Scottish Parliament's powers are limited by the Scotland Act, a statute of Westminster, which reserves constitutional matters – including independence – exclusively to the UK Parliament. Legal scholars such as AV Dicey famously defined sovereignty as the ultimate legislative authority within a state. In the UK, this authority resides solely in Westminster. Democratic mandates within Scotland, however genuine, cannot override this legal reality. Mike's reliance on ICCPR ratification ignores that international human rights law – including the ICCPR – does not supersede domestic constitutional arrangements. It offers political leverage but no enforceable right to secede or unilaterally legislate independence. READ MORE: Snide comment about the SNP's lack of action was factually incorrect Further, international law, as clarified in the Kosovo Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (2010), is neutral on declarations of independence; it neither prohibits nor guarantees recognition. Recognition remains a political act based on effective control and international relations, not legal entitlement. Mike's approach is effectively a rephrasing of the SNP's long-standing but legally impotent strategy: secure a democratic mandate, then petition Westminster or the courts. This 'legal pathway' has been explicitly rejected by the UK Supreme Court and lacks any constitutional basis for compelling change. In contrast, constitutional change in states founded on parliamentary sovereignty cannot be achieved through legal argument alone. It requires political authority that transcends existing legal limits – exercised by the people themselves, not their parliamentary proxies – through actions that alter the facts on the ground. READ MORE: Why is the BBC not talking about Scottish concerns? By failing to engage with these fundamental legal principles, Mike's letter risks perpetuating confusion, giving false hope to the independence movement, and entrenching the constitutional status quo. To achieve true sovereignty, Scotland must recognise that constitutional law as it stands is a reflection of power, not justice or democracy. Without shifting the balance of power, even legal arguments grounded in international covenants remain symbolic. James Murphy Bute AT times I wonder why I buy The National every day and encourage others to get it, then on a day like Sunday I know exactly why I do this, because I find the level of open debate very interesting and stimulating. The two letters in the Sunday National from James Murphy and Mike Wallace were excellent, well-researched and presented. Not only did I find them very interesting, but I agree 98% with both of them. Now, James and Mike might be surprised to hear me say that, because their letters made it clear that they thought Respect Scottish Sovereignty took a different position than they do. Well that must be my fault – I obviously did not explain the RSS position clearly enough. READ MORE: John Lamont branded 'morally repugnant' over mass deportation call First, on the question of 'legal authority', RSS believes, as they do, that the highest legal authority in Scotland, is the sovereignty of the Scottish people. We are not looking for legal authority from the UN, we want the UN human rights covenants put into Scots law. Some of them already have been, but we want others put into Scots law. The present 'devolved parliament', has very limited power, but does, under the Scotland Act, have the power to do this. That we have already established. Do we think that if we get that, the problem is solved? No, we have no illusions about that. We know that the UK establishment will fight tooth and nail to hold on to Scotland's resources, and will not give up easily. That is clear from 'British' history. We in RSS know that clearing a legal path to self-government will not be achieved just by getting the UN human rights covenants into Scots law. We understand that a mass movement pushing for direct democracy will be required. This can be done more effectively under this legislation, in order to force the UK establishment to back off. We know that this fight will need to be directed at many targets economic, political, and civil. That is why we are developing direct democracy units across Scotland. Mike says he is one of the 7000 who have signed our petition and I expect James is another. But, they are both right that we need political power behind us – not a political party, although we welcome support from all quarters, but people from all parts of Scotland with demands on a whole range of issues, who are prepared to use the legal powers in the UN covenants, put into Scots law to demand change and to push hard for it. We are not armchair revolutionaries with a theory and no practical way of implementing the changes we need. We are entirely conscious of the need for people's involvement and we are preparing for that, but we need to provide the legal framework within which we can mobilise. My own experience is in the Skye Bridge battle, which the people of Skye won. If we can't get people like James and Mike on our side and working with us, we have no chance. But if we do, and can mobilise the sovereign Scottish people, we are invincible. Andy Anderson National Convener, RSS (Respect Scottish Sovereignty)
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
The worst Scottish town centres for empty shops as SNP criticised for ‘decades of decline' on high streets
Scottish high streets 'laid to waste' by SNP, says Scottish Labour Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The SNP has overseen 'decades of decline' in Scotland's high streets, according to Scottish Labour. It comes as a new report revealed that one in every eight shops across the country is lying empty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In 2023-24, the town centre rate in Scotland hit 12.3 per cent after rising for the second consecutive year. The worst hit area was South Ayrshire, with a staggering 35.3 per cent of town centre shops vacant, while in Aberdeen City Council it was 20.7 per cent. You can see the full figures below. Scottish Labour criticised the SNP's failure to pass on business rates relief received by businesses in England. In previous years this relief was not passed on at all, and this year retail businesses and larger hospitality businesses in Scotland missed out. Scottish Labour has renewed pledges to support high streets by delivering fair funding for local government and by reforming business rates to level the playing field between local businesses and online giants. Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour Economy spokesperson, said: 'The SNP has overseen decades of decline in Scotland's high streets. From our iconic cities to our small towns, high streets right across Scotland have been laid to waste by this SNP government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Under the SNP, businesses are struggling, shops are lying empty, and pavements are crumbling. For years the SNP has starved local communities of funding and failed to fully pass on rates relief to local businesses. 'A Scottish Labour government will breathe fresh life into town centres by delivering fair funding for councils and overhauling business rates to level the playing field between local businesses and online giants.' David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: 'Scotland's high streets haven't had their troubles to seek in recent years following the upheaval wrought by the pandemic and cost of living crunch. 'Even now where they do have disposable income to spend, households are prioritising experiences rather than products bought in shops. Meanwhile, business rates and the cost of employing store staff are being ratcheted up by the government, loading onerous additional costs onto the very stores which help underpin the vitality of Scotland's high streets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If stores struggle to trade profitably it leads to more empty units and gap-toothed retail destinations. Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of overseeing Scotland's 'decades of decline' in high streets as new figures show the country's town centres are littered with vacant properties. Photo from Danny Lawson/PA Images | Danny Lawson/PA Images 'Scotland's shops saw their business rates bill rise by £7.6 million in April, taking their business rate to a 26-year high. UK Ministers are introducing a permanent rates cut for shops in England from Spring 2026, in recognition of the disproportionate amount they pay. 'We need to see all retailers in Scotland benefit from a permanent rates reduction too. This would increase retailers' confidence about investing in new and refurbished shops and help revive Scotland's town centres.' The Scottish Government has been approached for comment. Town centre vacancy rates by Local Authority, 2023-24: Aberdeen City - 20.70 per cent Aberdeenshire - 10.30 per cent Angus - 17.40 per cent Argyll & Bute - 13.20 per cent Clackmannanshire - 10.80 per cent Dumfries & Galloway - 13.50 per cent Dundee City - 17.70 per cent East Ayrshire - 12.00 per cent East Dunbartonshire - 8.60 per cent East Lothian - 11.90 per cent East Renfrewshire - 4.60 per cent Edinburgh City - 5.40 per cent Eilean Siar - 3.30 per cent Falkirk - 17.00 per cent Fife - 18.80 per cent Glasgow City - 12.10 per cent Highland - 14.30 per cent Inverclyde - 4.90 per cent Midlothian - 9.00 per cent Moray - 14.10 per cent North Ayrshire - 7.80 per cent North Lanarkshire - 17.70 per cent Orkney Islands - 9.20 per cent Perth & Kinross - 11.00 per cent Renfrewshire - 17.70 per cent Scottish Borders - 11.80 per cent Shetland Islands - 5.80 per cent South Ayrshire - 35.30 per cent South Lanarkshire - 14.80 per cent Stirling - 13.10 per cent West Dunbartonshire - 13.90 per cent West Lothian - 8.40 per cent
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
Kneecap to return to Glasgow amid 'biggest run of shows ever' after TRNSMT axe
Kneecap are returning to Glasgow later this year for their 'biggest run of shows ever' after being axed from music festival TRNSMT. The group were dropped from the line-up for the Glasgow Green event amid an investigation by counter-terror police into rapper Mo Chara. He is accused of terrorism offences related to a Hezbollah flag he allegedly held up on stage. The group played Glasgow's O2 Academy earlier this month after tickets sold out in just over a minute. Now the trio have announced a UK tour for November, with the band to play Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Sunday, November 30. The group say its their 'biggest run of shows ever' with gigs to be played in London, Newcastle and Manchester among other venues. Here we go🔥🔥🔥We're back in November across Scotland, England and Wales to play our biggest run of shows ever. 🟢 Artist pre-sale tomorrow 10am ⚪️Venue pre-sales Thursday 10am🟠General sale Friday 10am All of ye can get a pre-sale link for tomorrow at 10am ahead of the… — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 15, 2025 Pre-sale tickets are available from Wednesday, with general sale beginning on Friday at 10am. At the show last week Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam O hAnnaidh, hit out at Scotland's First Minister John Swinney. He asked the crowd: 'What's your First Minister's name?' He then added: 'They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow.' Police Scotland confirmed three arrests were made at the show on Tuesday, July 8. Swinney said the band's comments were 'unacceptable' after a video at a 2023 gig appeared to show one member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' The SNP leader called for them to be axed from TRNSMT in May, and their cancellation came after safety concerns were raised by Police Scotland. Last week, Swinney said: 'The last thing I want to be doing is commenting about music choices and the activities of music bands. 'When comments get made that are beyond the pale, then it shouldn't be a surprise to people that I get asked about them. 'Of course the comments that were made by Kneecap which I responded to, they apologised for. 'I welcome the fact that the band are performing, they've got to make their contribution to the music scene. 'I think the most important issue is the controversy has been around the crisis in the Middle East, the suffering of the people in Gaza. 'I want to make sure there's a ceasefire in Gaza, there's humanitarian assistance, and that we have are no way distracted from the humanitarian catastrophe that is going on in Gaza at this moment.' The Belfast group, who perform in Irish, have been an outspoken critic of the war in Gaza and said the prosecution, following an investigation by the Met Police, is linked to their views on Palestine. Kneecap performed at the 2000 Trees rock festival on July 10, and are due to play Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on August 15 and Belfast Vital on August 29 – nine days after O hAnnaidh's next court appearance. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
