Latest news with #Israel-linked
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK government intervened in Gaza genocide row at St Andrews University
Stella Maris, the rector of the St Andrews University, was criticised after making a statement condemning Israel in November 2023 and ultimately removed from her role on the university court – the institution's top decision-making body. The National has obtained the minutes of a December 2023 special meeting, called by the university court of St Andrews in direct response to Maris's statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, denouncing Hamas war crimes, and calling Israeli attacks in Gaza 'genocidal'. According to the minutes, the principal of St Andrews, Dame Sally Mapstone, said that the 'level of external scrutiny' of the university due to Maris's public criticism of Israel was 'unprecedented'. READ MORE: Israel-linked donor 'threatened to pull St Andrews grant' in Gaza row The National can reveal that the UK government, its independent 'antisemitism tsar', the media, and 'concerned' funders – particularly the Wolfson Foundation, a major donor with links to Israel – all became involved with Maris's case. Mapstone told the university court that Robert Halfon, a former Tory MP who at the time was the UK skills minister, had 'pronounced concern in relation to the rector's conduct and a strong interest into how it [was] being handled by the University'. Mapstone said that she had met with Halfon in her capacity as president of the industry body Universities UK. However, she added: 'But he [Halfon] insisted on using 10 minutes of it to discuss the situation in St Andrews in relation to the rector and our Jewish community.' Former Tory minister Robert Halfon's official parliamentary portrait (Image: Parliament) Mapstone told the 2023 meeting she could supply 'more examples' of external scrutiny – before adding that she 'had to' meet with John Mann, a Labour peer who was and is serving as the UK Government's advisor on antisemitism, often called a 'tsar' or 'champion'. Mapstone also said that the St Andrews University chancellor, LibDem peer Menzies Campbell, had been kept informed throughout. The university principal went on to describe the extent of pressure from the Wolfson Foundation, saying she had written a '12-page letter' to reassure them 'extensively and personally' after members of the Wolfson family questioned whether a £2 million grant 'could be supported'. St Andrews University was later told by the charity that the grant had been successful, 'but 'by a whisker'', Mapstone said. Sally Mapstone is the principal of St Andrews UniversityWhen the university publicly announced the successful grant in January 2024, they said: 'The Wolfson Foundation's support is a seal of approval of the quality of the pioneering research which takes place in St Andrews.' However, when Mapstone had addressed the university court the previous month, she made clear that the grant was successful 'not because of the quality of our application, which got some of the best peer reviews, but because of the concerns in the Trustee body about the situation at St Andrews'. 'It was felt that the reassurance provided by me as principal was important and sufficient to take the bid through,' she added. A St Andrews University spokesperson said: 'At no point was any influence brought to bear upon the university either by Wolfson, its trustees, or the UK Government. READ MORE: Keir Starmer 'wants Hamas to remain in power', Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu claims 'This is made explicitly clear in the publicly available minutes of the special court meeting of 15 December. 'Wolfson was one of several groups and individuals to raise concerns about reports of antisemitic incidents at St Andrews, and the effect of the rector's statement on the fear experienced by Jewish students in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Israel. 'Those concerns were fully addressed and dealt with prior to the court meeting in December 2023. Maris told the National that the university 'were engaging more with outside voices than considering the impact within the student community'. Stella Maris is the rector of St Andrews University (Image: University of St Andrews) Bill Shackman, a representative of the St Andrews Jewish Staff Network and the university's interfaith chaplain, said that any influence from the UK government 'is very concerning'. 'I think that the rector's statement may have hurt some Jewish students' feelings, but it did not cause them any harm,' he said. 'Jewish students who support this war were offended. Jewish students who oppose the war welcomed her statement. 'Regardless of one's political views, no one should be silenced for expressing their opinions, especially an elected representative. I hope the rector will continue to use her voice to speak out for peace and against all racism, sexism and inequality." St Andrews Palestinian Solidarity Society said news of government intervention was 'not surprising'. 'It has become clear that [the university's] concern has never truly been with student safety, but with safeguarding the university's reputation,' the group said. 'Rector Stella Maris stood against genocide, and for the basic principles of justice and compassion which obligate us to oppose it. 'The fact that this has been made into a conversation about anything else is a sign of the moral cowardice of the administrators, the principal, the ministers, the funders – all those who put their personal standing over the duty to oppose injustice. They should be ashamed.' The St Andrews Jewish Society said in response: 'Considering the university receives funding from the government and is a public university, conversations regarding serious issues, such as student safety, can be addressed by government representatives. 'With raised concerns about Jewish student life on campus it makes sense that government officials would be involved. Jewish students continue to feel saddened and frustrated by the lack of ability demonstrated to understand these complexities around this issue.' READ MORE: Yanis Varoufakis calls on 'censored' St Andrews rector to be reinstated Following the December 2023 special meeting, the university court decided to launch an independent investigation into whether Maris' statement and her actions surrounding it breached the rector's role as president of court and charity trustee. In July 2024, the investigator, Lady Morag Ross KC, concluded that it was not 'sufficiently clear [...] to show that there is a breach of the relevant obligations' and did not advise dismissal. Nonetheless, the University dismissed Maris from her role as president of the court, saying it was 'for her actions and activities after she issued her statement, and because she repeatedly refused to accept that as a member of court, she was by law bound by the same responsibilities and rules as all trustees'. Maris appealed this decision to the Chancellor of the University, Lord Campbell, who ruled in her favour. She has recently been reinstated to her full role as president of court and charity trustee.
The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
LGBTQ+ 'safe space' centre could be opened in Glasgow
Councillor Aitken was responding to queries from trans councillor Elaine Gallagher who asked what the council was doing to uphold duties to protect rights in light of a 'culture war and hostile anti LGBTQ+ environment.' Speaking at last week's council meeting, Councillor Aitken said 'recent legal decisions and public discourse have only intensified the pressure and fear that many trans people are feeling. And I absolutely recognise that this is not just political, it is personal, it is painful and it has real consequences for people's safety, dignity and rights.' She added: 'I'm determined that the council will be an ally and will act.' Pointing out the work of an LGBTQ+ Forum, she said: 'A sub group of the forum is exploring the creation of a physical LGBTQ+ hub in Glasgow, a safe inclusive space for community building, support and celebration. 'Discussions with City Property and partners are ongoing and the energy and commitment from community members involved in the process has been really encouraging.' Read More Glasgow Pride criticised over ties to Israel-linked companies Commenting on LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, she said: 'We also continue to prioritise inclusive education. Our partnership with the TIE campaign is helping ensure our schools are places where all young people including trans and non binary pupils feel safe, seen and supported from professional development for staff to city wide events like Ally and PrideLite this work sends a clear message I hope to our young people – you belong here. ' Scottish Greens councillor Gallagher was questioning whether the council was continuing to roll out actions from a council motion in 2023, which agreed to help guard the rights of transgender and non-binary people. She asked if councillor Aitken agreed that the 'interim non statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was rushed, contradictory, discriminatory and politically motivated.' Concurring, the SNP leader branded the guidance as 'entirely rushed.' Released after the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC guidance says in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants trans women should not be allowed to use women's facilities. Laying out the council's stance, councillor Aitken said: 'We are certainly in no rush in this council to make any changes. I have discussed it with the chief executive and our existing approach is the approach that will continue. We obviously await guidance from the Scottish Government. 'We are a public body and we have to abide by the law but I am absolutely determined that we will do so in a way that is inclusive, respectful and supports the dignity and personhood of everyone who either works in or uses or public buildings or our service and particularly trans and non binary people.'
The National
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government: Publishing Israel meeting details ‘antisemitic'
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson was previously forced to apologise after he held secret talks with Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK, Daniela Grudsky. He faced fierce criticism from SNP MPs, who have attacked the UK Government for supporting Israel during its deadly assault on Palestine, which has to date killed more than 53,000 people, mostly women and children. Now, The Ferret have revealed that the Scottish Government argued that it would be 'antisemitic' to release further logistical information about the meeting. READ MORE: Scottish Government 'must immediately freeze' all Israel-linked arms firm funding It comes after the investigative outlet submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request asking for correspondence about the meeting. With officials refusing to disclose the information, The Ferret appealed to the information commissioner David Hamilton. Hamilton said that 'the withheld information is mostly concerning the logistical arrangements' of the meeting and that 'the majority of information withheld by the [Scottish Government has no inherent sensitivity'. (Image: Jane Barlow) He has since ordered it be released within six weeks, saying the Scottish Government had breached transparency laws 'by failing to identify, locate, retrieve and properly consider all of the information that fell within scope of the request and incorrectly withheld information'. Hamilton added in a report: 'They argued that ignoring Israel's wishes in circumstances where other countries' wishes have been respected, could be considered as an antisemitic action under the IHRA definition.' Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal said: 'The IHRA definition of antisemitism, and its attendant examples, conflates criticism of the policies, practices, and constitution of the State of Israel, with antisemitism. He added: 'Its adoption, by the Scottish Government and other public bodies, undermines our ability to hold Israel accountable for harming Palestinians, and violating international law. This case illustrates the absurd injustice that can result, when the Scottish Government is seeking to avoid legitimate journalistic scrutiny over meetings with Israeli officials by falsely asserting it could be a breach of the IHRA definition and antisemitic. 'The Information Commissioner has rightly dismissed this flimsy assertion and the Scottish Government should reassess the validity of its position on the IHRA definition.' Nick McGowan-Lowe, Scotland organiser at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the Scottish Government is 'lightning-quick to claim a commitment to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability, but is glacially slow when it comes to putting those same principles into action'. He added: 'The NUJ has long argued that Scotland's FOI legislation is in dire need of reform, and will be lobbying for support of Katy Clark MSP's bill at Holyrood to bring freedom of information laws into line for a modern democracy.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We have received the Information Commissioner's decision and are considering its terms. Freedom of Information legislation permits us to consider whether disclosure of information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the UK and any other state. This applies to all countries.'
The Herald Scotland
18-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Grannies cycle Grangemouth to St Fergus in pipeline protest
The women say there are serious risks associated with the project, which will use a decades-old pipeline to transport the carbon dioxide gas. Bridget Cooper, one of the North Sea Knitters, said: 'I have always been uncomfortable with the plan to make a new gas fired power station somehow tick green boxes by attaching the really dodgy and unproven carbon capture to it. 'But I was shocked when I learnt that part of that plan was pushing CO2 from Grangemouth to Peterhead through an old pipeline.' Carbon dioxide generated at industrial sites across Scotland will be transported via pipeline to the St Fergus energy terminal, several miles north of Peterhead. It will then be stored deep below the North Sea in a bid to reduce emissions. The women cycled through a number of coastal towns. (Image: Friends of the Earth Scotland)Cooper added: 'We wondered if people living along the pipeline knew about this plan and if they knew that leaks from a CO2 pipeline in the US had hospitalised people. 'So we thought, let's travel the pipeline and let people know. Walking was not possible with my old arthritic knees, so biking it had to be. 'I really loved chatting with people and giving them some basic information as we pedalled along.' The group of 'craftivists' left Grangemouth on May 3. Travelling along the route of the pipeline over the next five days, the group passed through Stirling, Perth, Forfar, Stonehaven, Aberdeen and Peterhead, before reaching their final destination in St Fergus. According to the 'pipeline pilgrims', their activism was spurred into motion after reading about the rupture of a carbon dioxide pipeline in Mississippi. In 2020, 40 people were sent to hospital with CO2 poisoning and hundreds were evacuated from their homes after 31,000 barrels of the liquefied natural gas was released into the air. Energy companies are keen to construct a new gas plant in Peterhead. (Image: Friends of the East Scotland) Friends of the Earth Scotland oil and gas activism officer Freya Aitchison praised the efforts of the activists. She said: 'It's great that the Knitters have been getting out there and talking to the people who will be impacted by these plans. 'Communities must be meaningfully consulted about what a carbon pollution pipeline could mean and the risks to which they will be exposed. 'Carbon capture is a greenwashing excuse that the fossil fuel industry uses to fool politicians into supporting more drilling and burning. 'These companies have put us all at risk from climate breakdown and now they want to run a dangerous pipeline through the heart of Scottish communities up the east coast.' The Knitters previously staged a 'knit in' in oil company offices and the Court of Session, interrupted the SSE's AGM, and met with the First Minister. Read more from Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco: Political parties barred from Glasgow Pride in wake of Supreme Court ruling Glasgow Pride criticised over ties to Israel-linked companies Is there a place for religion in the assisted dying debate? Pope Leo welcome to visit Scotland — but should go to COP30 first, says charity Protesting outside the Scottish Parliament last autumn, Knitter Chris Aldred told The North Edinburgh News: "Knitting symbolises the hope that we can pass on, not just our skills, but a thriving future for all that come after us. 'The Scottish Government says that climate is a priority but it must turn these words into concrete action to cut pollution now and into the future. 'This means using its power to firmly reject new fossil fuels, standing up to the oil industry and prioritising the needs of workers through the transition.' Friends of the Earth Scotland have long criticised plans by SSE to build a new gas burning energy plant outside Peterhead. The plant, which would produce 910 MW of electricity, would be built alongside the existing power plant; which was Scotland's largest polluter between 2018 and 2020, as well as 2022, when it emitted 1.35 million tonnes of CO2. A diagram of how carbon capture works. (Image: Derek McArthur) A carbon capture facility on the site is expected to be built by energy giant Equinor. The new plant could open as early as 2027, and would be operational until at least 2059. Last autumn, more than 13,000 people signed a petition opposing the proposed build. Previous attempts at developing carbon capture facilities in the region, in 2007 and 2016, were unsuccessful. On their website, SSE Thermal has praised the project, writing: "The Peterhead site in Aberdeenshire is ideally placed for carbon capture technology, with access to essential CO2 transport and storage infrastructure. "The Acorn CO2 Storage Site, which will be used by the Scottish Cluster to safely store CO2, is located about 100km offshore in rock formations deep below the North Sea."
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow Pride to ban politicans over trans rights row
An email from organisers on Wednesday morning read: 'As the organisers of Glasgow's Pride, we are writing to inform you that the attendance of all political parties, and related groups, at Glasgow's Pride on Saturday the 19th of July is currently suspended. Per the email, political parties will not be allowed to register as a bloc, host a stall, or make speeches before or after the march. The ban comes after Pride groups in Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester, and London announced political groups would not be welcome at their events until they showed a 'tangible commitment to trans rights'. The Supreme Court ruling has been met with anger. (Image: Gordon Terris) The embargo has been sparked by anger at a perceived lack of inaction from parties following the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of a woman last month. The organisers continued: 'This does not mean that any of your members are barred or blocked from attending and participating within the Pride March. We will welcome them if they support our message for Equality and Inclusion. 'The organising committee is deeply disappointed that we have had to make this decision however we do hope that by taking this action it will spur your party, and your members to take action and make the required changes. 'Human rights should not be a party decision. Pride is not about political clout or winning favours. You have stood with us in the past, we ask that you stand now and show what you support.' Patrick Harvie has said he 'fully respects' the to the decision, Greens MSP Patrick Harvie, who is bisexual, said he was 'disappointed'. Harvie noted: 'As both a politician and someone who has been out since before my first election and has never shied away from standing up to prejudice, I feel ashamed of how politics in this country is letting down my own community. 'I am of course disappointed at this decision, but the betrayal of our human rights by most political parties is the cause of this horrendous situation, and I fully respect the right of Pride organisers to make this decision.' Read more: Glasgow Pride criticised over ties to Israel-linked companies The long-time parliamentarian added: 'It is now abundantly clear that the community has lost trust in political parties more broadly, and I urge those in leadership positions across the spectrum, and members of all parties who do support LGBTQ+ people's human rights, to put their house in order.'
