Boffin denies being corrupt, but admits being incompetent
Just hours before his debate on tackling the menace of wayward seabirds, Mr Ross hauled Professor Iain Gillespie, former principal of the University of Dundee, in front of the Education Committee for what turned out to be a three-hour kicking.
In all my years watching Holyrood debates, I've never seen a mauling quite like this.
READ MORE:
It's not just that the MSPs on one of Holyrood's most dysfunctional committees were well briefed and at the top of their game, and working well together.
But I cannot remember a witness more out of their depth and underprepared than Prof Gillespie.
I don't think we can rule out the possibility that he was in the Parliament for a tour and just wandered into Committee Room 4 by accident.
You have to wonder why he put himself through that. Sure, under Section 23 of the Scotland Act, the Scottish Parliament has the power to require any person to attend a committee to give evidence, but compelling someone to come along is a massive pain in the hoop.
He could have said no. He should have said no. It would have made him look like he had something to hide, yes, but I'm not sure his evidence will have convinced anyone otherwise.
Here's another top tip if you're ever hauled in front of a Holyrood committee — and it applies in other circumstances too — if someone asks you if you are corrupt or incompetent, you can say you're neither.
You do not have to choose one or the other.
And if you are going to choose one of the two, don't, as Prof Gillespie did, take a second or two to think about it.
What did we learn from the startling session? That Prof Gillespie's plea for a knighthood was a joke, and that despite going on 11 foreign trips in two years, flying first class, and staying in five-star hotels at the university's expense, he is not a 'good time Charlie'.
And that nothing should be read into the fact that when he quit he left his keys and staff card on a book called The Spy and the Traitor.
Sure.
He was asked a number of times if he thought he should pay back the £150,000 golden goodbye.
It was, he said, not in his 'thought process' to give back the cash, but that he would 'reflect' on it.
It was a brutal session. If this is what Douglas Ross is like with incompetent academics, just imagine what he'll be like if a herring gull ends up in charge of the new Qualifications Scotland body.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
24 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Scots woman kept 28 animals in 'rubbish and excrement' in 'appalling' incident
"The smell was overwhelming, and the interior conditions were truly appalling. The floor was completely obscured by a foot-high layer of rubbish, excrement, and discarded items." A Scots dog walker has been given a disqualification order for five years for dogs, cats and other pets after keeping more than 20 animals in squalid conditions. On Monday June 23, Sarah Cummines appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court where she pled guilty to failing to meet the basic welfare needs of dogs, cats and a ferret in her care. Cummines worked as a dog walker and pet sitter when the incidents occurred and admitted to multiple counts of animal neglect after being found keeping animals in a home described as one of the worst ever seen by Scottish SPCA inspectors, reports Aberdeen Live. Inspectors discovered a shocking scene of nine adult dogs, nine puppies, four adult cats, five kittens, and one ferret living among piles of waste, excrement, and debris. The animals had no access to clean resting areas, food, or water, and many were exposed to dangerous and unhygienic conditions. A Scottish SPCA inspector said: "We received a complaint in October 2024 about potential neglect at Cummines' property. On arrival, the smell was overwhelming, and the interior conditions were truly appalling. The floor was completely obscured by a foot-high layer of rubbish, excrement, and discarded items. "Cats were living on top of kitchen cabinets among faeces and filth. The kitchen sink was full of rubbish and clearly had not been in use for some time. The animals had no access to clean areas and were forced to groom themselves in filth, posing serious health risks." "One small dog was seen climbing over piles of waste and jumping between appliances to avoid touching the floor. All the animals were frightened, and the cats were visibly nervous. This was no environment for any animal or human." The investigation also found that the animals were navigating over old dog crates and hazardous items to reach basic spaces like the kitchen or doors. Evidence of chewed beds and distressed behaviours indicated prolonged suffering and stress. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The inspector continued: "We were horrified not only by the condition of the animals but by the state of the entire home. The bedroom was one of the worst rooms we've encountered, and a box room was barricaded shut inside, a ferret had escaped its cage. These were among the worst living conditions for both animals and a human we have ever witnessed." Despite being offered help and the opportunity to relinquish the animals voluntarily, Cummines refused. The Scottish SPCA then removed the animals for their welfare. Alongside her sentence, Cummines was given a community payback order with supervision for one year. A spokesperson for the Scottish SPCA added: "We welcome the court's decision today. No animal should be forced to live in such filth and fear. This outcome sends a clear message that neglecting the welfare of animals will not be tolerated in Scotland." The Scottish SPCA encourages anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal or if they suspect signs of animal neglect to contact their confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
The National
35 minutes ago
- The National
Question Time called out as Reform councillor on St Andrews panel
Thomas Kerr, a Glasgow councillor who defected from the Tories, is due to take part in the flagship debate programme on Thursday night from St Andrews. All of Reform UK's Scottish politicians are defectors from the Tories or Scottish Labour. They have not won an election north of the Border. Kerr will join Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Tory MP Andrew Bowie and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch on the programme. READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment A number of social media users pointed out that both the Scottish Greens and Scottish LibDems have more elected representatives than Reform, but are not as frequently platformed by the broadcaster. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: 'Reform and the politics they represent are a direct threat to Scotland. We all saw what they were really about during the Hamilton by-election – where they ran a campaign of hate-fuelled prejudice and misinformation, showing themselves to be a racist, far-right party. 'Long before his rise in the opinion polls, the BBC gave Nigel Farage an extraordinarily high profile, as one of the most regular faces at the Question Time table. Now, they are doing the same in Scotland where his latest political vehicle has never had so much as a local councillor elected. 'It is frankly bizarre that the BBC has chosen to platform a representative of a party with zero electoral track record, and a party whose politics have been shown to be dishonest, divisive and dangerous.' Tomorrow, Question Time is in St Andrews Joining Fiona are Anas Sarwar, Andrew Bowie, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Thomas Kerr, and Lesley Riddoch 9pm on the @BBCNews channel, @BBCiPlayer and @BBCSounds, or @BBCOne at 10:40pm Apply now: — BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) June 25, 2025 A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'Question Time is a national programme which must be relevant to audiences across the UK and reflect a wide range of political views. "We continue to seek a range of views when Question Time comes to Scotland and across this series, our panels have had representation from the various political parties, including the Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats. 'We also take account of the most recent electoral performance and electoral movement since the election. "Reform have consistently polled strongly all across the UK and in a recent Scottish Parliamentary by-election (Hamilton, Rutherglen and Stonehouse), Reform polled 26% of the vote, and finished third, behind Labour and SNP.' Kerr's inclusion on the programme sparked a strong reaction online. SNP MSP James Dornan said: 'Once again we see the once unknown Tory councillor Thomas Kerr on BBC. I have no doubt at all that him deserting that sinking ship to join Reform had absolutely nothing to do with it of course.' Scottish Greens Glasgow councillor Jon Molyneux added: 'Thomas Kerr has more time for TV cameras than he does for his constituents. He's not contributed to a council meeting for six months. 'Too much like hard work or running scared? He should do the job taxpayers pay him for and open up his snake oil to proper scrutiny.' READ MORE: SNP MPs join Labour rebels in bid to kill off benefit cuts On social media user said: 'When was the last time, BBC Question Time had a 'councillor' from a political party? They are so desperate to platform Reform.' Another added: 'Reform, again. No elected representatives in Scotland, but let's promote them anyway at the expense of the other parties who do have elected politicians.' One said simply: 'Again where are the Liberal Democrats or the Greens, Might as well just call it the Reform show #bbcbias.' It comes as a new MRP poll from YouGov, released on Thursday morning, predicted Reform winning three Westminster seats in Scotland.
North Wales Chronicle
36 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Calls for Scotland-wide seagull summit amid warnings someone could be killed
Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who called a debate on the issue at Holyrood, warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls. Fellow Tory Rachael Hamilton said a nationwide summit must be held to tackle the issue as she warned that Scots are being left 'scared, attacked and traumatised'. Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie had already promised to hold a seagull summit in the north of Scotland but Ms Hamilton, who represents the south of Scotland, said a summit for the whole country is needed. The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP said 'aggressive' seagulls had attacked seven children in one month last year in Eyemouth, with one girl 'left with gashes to her scalp and blood running down her face'. She called for action on the 'growing nuisance', which she said posed a health and safety risk to residents. Despite rising complaints from locals, though, she said NatureScot's licensing system to control the birds was bureaucratic and failing to solve the issue. 'I think we need a summit,' she said. 'I don't think we just need a summit in Moray, we need a summit across Scotland.' Ms Hamilton said the debate was 'important' as she criticised what she said was a lack of action from the Scottish Government. She told MSPs: 'Absolutely nothing is getting done. I don't believe the Government are listening to us because the issue continues in my constituency in Eyemouth. 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' She said one business owner had described the situation as 'people being scared, attacked and traumatised'. NatureScot and the SNP have ignored this problem for far too long. I'm bringing forward a debate in Parliament today to demand action to control the menace of gulls in our communities. — Douglas Ross MSP (@Douglas4Moray) June 26, 2025 MSPs debated the issue on Thursday, the last day of Parliament before the summer recess. Opening the debate, Mr Ross said people often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is debating the problems around gulls – but he said it was an 'extremely serious issue'. The Highlands and Islands MSP said constituents have told him they are worried about leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', while others have suffered mental health issues thanks to a lack of sleep caused by noisy gulls. One resident, he said, is spending £2,000 a year to remove nests from her home. 'People should not have to keep living in fear of being divebombed by these menaces on a daily basis, and are crying out for action,' he said. He accused NatureScot of having a conflict of interest as the body responsible for both the licensing to control birds and to conserve them. He went on: 'The behaviour of the SNP's quango NatureScot confirms they have lost the plot. They have told people to protect themselves with umbrellas and even suggested dogs as a deterrent. 'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers. 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP Government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Jim Fairlie, the minister for agriculture, said while people often 'chuckle and laugh' about the issue of gulls, he warned it was 'deadly serious'. But he told MSPs that he could not intervene on NatureScot to change the licensing system because it would leave the Government open to judicial review. He urged people to stop feeding the birds, which he said was the primary reason for the issue. The birds have been an increasingly common site in urban areas as they leave their natural habitat in search of food. He said: 'We have to work out what it is that is causing the issue in the first place. 'We are feeding them – it is quite simple. We are creating habitat, and we are creating feeding stations which are allowing gulls to inhabit our space, and that is now quite clearly coming into conflict.' He added: 'We have got to try and limit food waste and public littering. We have got to take away these feeding opportunities.' SNP MSP Christine Grahame warned against 'demonising' gulls, which she described as 'clever, adaptable' animals. 'Language such as 'mugging', 'menace' can be applied to us, our fellow counterparts,' she said, 'but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food. 'Anthropomorphising is tempting but not helpful.' A NatureScot spokesperson said: 'We understand gulls can sometimes cause problems in our towns and cities. 'At the same time, gull populations are facing serious declines. NatureScot has a duty to balance health and safety concerns with gull conservation. 'Over the last five years we have supported many individuals, businesses and communities to better manage gulls without the need to kill the birds or destroy their nests. 'As a result, the number of licence applications to destroy nests and eggs and kill chicks has reduced, from 2,633 in 2023 to 1,601 in 2024.' The spokesperson said in the longer term, Scots will 'need to find ways to live with gulls and other wildlife'. They added: 'We will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that collaborative gull management plans are put in place for future years, with a focus on effective preventative measures, deterrents, changes to behaviour and guidance.'
