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Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Bill to keep child kidnap and murder plot trio in Scots jail hits £1m
They are still within the Scottish prison after losing a last-ditch appeal against their extradition to the US, after the FBI identified them as being behind a twisted scheme to kidnap five children and kill their parents. Three US citizens wanted over a child snatch murder plot have racked up a £1million bill for taxpayers as they remain in Scotland seven years later. Valerie Hayes, Gary Reburn and Frank Amnott were found living in Glasgow in 2018 after the FBI identified them as being behind a twisted scheme to kidnap five children and kill their parents. They are still within the Scottish prison estate more than two years after losing a last-ditch appeal against their extradition to the US. So far they have cost the public purse at least £205,278 in legal aid fees and an estimated £750,000 to £800,000 in prison costs. Scots Tory community safety spokeswoman, Sharon Dowey, said the huge bill would spark fury. She said: 'The Scottish public, who are footing the bill, will demand this case is brought to a swift conclusion.' US prosecutors say ringleader Hayes fled to Glasgow after botching an abduction plot, which 'read like a script from a bad horror movie'. They say the mum duped childless couple Frank and Jennifer Amnott into believing she was a government agent before convincing them to help her carry out the abduction in return for a child of their own. The US Attorney's Office claim Hayes, who was living in Maryland with boyfriend Reburn, fed the couple lies that she was in intelligence and three of her kids had been kidnapped and were being held by two families in the Old Order Mennonites community in Dayton. 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. Prosecutors say Hayes, Reburn and Frank Amnott planned to enter the first house and hold the parents at gunpoint. After Hayes secured the two kids, Reburn and Frank Amnott would kill the parents before driving to the second house, force entry, and perform a similar murder. A Department of Justice affidavit said Hayes was disguised as a Mennonite when a parent opened the door and was held at gunpoint. Another parent fled and dialled 911 and, when cops arrived, found Frank Amnott holding the parent hostage. Prosecutors say Hayes and Reburn fled to Maryland to meet Amnott's wife before all three fled to Scotland, where they were later arrested. In 2019, Frank Amnott pled guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to kill witnesses and firearm offences. He said Hayes was central to the July 2018 plot. But Hayes says she was in the UK having been granted temporary asylum as a victim of 'systematic torture' at the hands of a US intelligence officer. Their appeals against extradition were thrown out of the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court in London. In 2023, the case was sent to the European Court of Human Rights, a last chance at avoiding extradition. Hayes and Reburn, listed in court papers as being held at HMP Edinburgh, and Amnott, listed as HMP Polmont, have complained that their extradition would violate their rights because there is a risk they would receive a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole if convicted in the US. Interim measures have been granted by the ECHR to prevent their extradition pending a determination. The Scottish Legal Aid Board said: 'Extradition cases can result in higher costs because of their international nature but we work with legal teams to ensure these are managed effectively.' The last ECHR update said it was being 'communicated to the Government for observations' in July 2023. The US Attorney's Office, in the Western District of Virginia, said it does not comment on pending extradition matters. The Scottish Government said it would be 'inappropriate' to comment.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Why looming £2bn benefits black hole can't be filled by more SNP tax hikes
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... Last week my friend and colleague Douglas Ross MSP was thrown out of the Scottish Parliament chamber after heckling the First Minister John Swinney. He had taken exception to Swinney's deflection – after a serious question from Scots Tory leader Russell Findlay on how farming will have to adapt should the pursuit for net zero continue – with an irrelevant reference to the impact of Brexit. I can understand Ross's frustration at the inability to get straight answers from SNP ministers. It all adds to the burden of evidence that Holyrood as an institution is in urgent need of reform to ensure that opposition MSPs are better able to get the answers they need for their constituents, and that ministers can less easily avoid giving serious responses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Given the inadequacies of the parliamentary chamber, we should be particularly grateful to external bodies such as the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) for the detailed work they do analysing the Scottish Government's finances. Their latest report, published just last week, contains some stark warnings about the looming black hole in Holyrood funding, as a direct result of SNP policy decisions. Getting John Swinney to answer a question can prove frustrating, but he will need to find one for the looming black hole in the Scottish Government's finances (Picture: Jane Barlow/pool) | Getty Images Record funding, crumbling services We are presently in a scenario where the total amount of money available to Scottish ministers to spend is at record levels, even taking account of inflation. According to the SFC, total Scottish Government funding in the current financial year 2025-26 will be £59.6 billion, around £800 million more than was originally thought. This is against a backdrop of record high taxation across the UK, with even higher taxes in Scotland, again thanks to SNP choices. And yet, despite all this extra money, all around us we see crumbling public services and cuts being made to vital projects. Something simply doesn't add up, but the SFC is helping by putting their fingers on some of the reasons for this mismatch. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There are two major drivers of increased spending within the Scottish Budget. The first is the award of above-inflation public sector pay deals which, as the SFC point out, have exceeded the Scottish Government's published public pay policy. No one would object to public servants receiving more pay if that were in exchange for greater efficiency, but the second part of that equation appears to be missing. Clever politics? The other area is around welfare spending. Whilst even the UK Labour government has recognised the risks from an ever-expanding benefits bill, the SNP are heading in the opposite direction. The SFC forecasts that spending on devolved social security payments will increase from £6.9 billion in the current financial year to a staggering £9.4bn in 2030-31. When related to the Barnett Formula funding received from the UK Government, this leaves the Scottish Budget with an estimated £2.1 billion black hole in 2029-30. Now it is entirely a matter for the SNP to decide they are going to prioritise spending on benefits above other areas such as the NHS, schools, or infrastructure. It may even be clever politics to do so, to help create a body of voters reliant upon those benefits who will, in turn, reward the SNP with their votes. But none of this helps pay for the ever-expanding cost of benefits in Scotland, which is growing faster than other parts of the UK. And it is clear that SNP ministers have absolutely no idea how they are going to fund this growth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Increasing taxes further to try and fill the gap is unlikely to be the answer. Already we hear concerns from Scottish business that differential rates of both personal income tax and land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT) make it increasingly difficult to attract higher earners to relocate to Scotland from other parts of the UK. 'Economic performance gap' As the SFC points out in their report, higher tax rates are not actually delivering the revenues that were projected. On a straight-line basis, the income tax hikes implemented by the SNP should be raising a net sum of £1.674 billion for the Scottish Government. But the actual projected income tax net position, compared to what it would have been prior to the devolution of Scottish income tax, is just £616 million. That means there is an astonishing £1 billion gap between what Scotland's higher income tax rates might have added to the Scottish Budget, and what they are actually projected to deliver. The SFC refers to this figure as the 'economic performance gap', which is largely made up of slower aggregate earnings and employment growth in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK, alongside effects from Scottish and UK policies, taxpayer behaviour, and differences in the sectoral make-up of the Scottish economy and in the distribution of incomes between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In simple terms, if the Scottish economy was growing at least at the same rate as the UK as a whole, with similar increases in average earnings, we would have £1 billion more to spend on public services than we currently have, and the SNP would be halfway towards meeting the ever-expanding costs of additional welfare spending. It once again demonstrates the overriding need for Scottish ministers to focus on economic growth. A faster growing economy, where we could at least match UK average rates, would generate the wealth we need to pay the bills, without the requirement for counter-productive taxes on higher earners which we can see are already having a dampening effect on economic growth. SNP ministers now have some very serious questions to answer about their tax and spending plans going forward. We can only hope that it won't take more outbursts in the Holyrood chamber to get the answers we all require.
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
SNP ministers silent after being urged to defend pay rise
SNP ministers sat in silence after being challenged to defend their bumper £20,000 pay rises during a Holyrood debate. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross urged Nats rivals to explain why they deserve the inflation-busting salary increase after First Minister John Swinney's decision to lift a long-standing pay freeze. Advertisement 2 Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Ross challenged SNP ministers to respond. Credit: Alamy 2 SNP leader John Swinney decided to lift the ministerial pay freeze. The MSP raised the issue during a government debate titled, 'the international situation', with Mr Ross arguing that the parliamentary time should instead have been used to discuss issues relevant to Scotland. And he pointed to the £19,126 extra cash that will be received by SNP ministers from this month as an alternative topic of discussion, as he called on those present on the frontbench, including Mr Swinney, to intervene on him in order to provide a response. Mr Ross said: 'Can any of the ministers on the frontbench say that they deserve and have earned their £20,000 increase?' The former Scots Tory boss then stood silently as he waited for an intervention to be made by any of the SNP ministers including Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie and Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson. Advertisement He added: 'I'm just going to stand here and wait. If any of these highly paid Scottish government ministers can defend their £20,000 pay increase to the public, tell us now.' The Scottish Tory MSP was again met with silence, before deputy Presiding Officer Liam McArthur asked him to return to the topic of the debate. Mr Ross said: 'I'm making the plea again. Come on! If Mr Swinney believes that they deserve that funding, that increase of £20,000, I'll give way to the First Minister. "I'll give way to the Cabinet Secretary, I'll give way to Angus Robertson or Jim Fairlie. Can no Scottish government minister defend it? Advertisement 'And maybe that's why we're debating this international debate today, maybe this is why the topic chosen by the SNP government is one that they are not in charge of because they cannot answer simple questions about the area of their responsibility. 'And I think the people of Scotland can see that because they can see this is a government who take them for granted, who provide massive pay rises for their ministers and can't even hold themselves to account.' Kenny MacAskill blasted over SNP - Crown Office comments Former SNP leader Alex Salmond introduced the pay freeze in 2009 amid the global financial crisis. But as it has been scrapped the party's ministers will receive £19,126 extra from this month. Advertisement Junior Nats ministers will earn £100,575 and cabinet secretaries will bank £116,125 per year. Ministers have government and MSP parts to their salary and it is the latter that is increasing. Despite the pay rise for his ministers, Mr Swinney previously stated that he will decline the uplift. He said: "I've reflected on my own position - so that people don't think I've taken a decision that will benefit me personally - I will leave my salary as an MSP and ministerial frozen."
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scottish independence convention would bring 'energy' back to movement that's become 'too abstract'
Ash Regan warned that for many Scots the idea of ending the Union was "drifting into an abstract concept". A summit on how to make Scottish independence a reality would help inject "energy" back into the campaign, an Alba MSP has said. Ash Regan warned that for many Scots the idea of ending the Union was "drifting into an abstract concept". John Swinney last week insisted "the time is right" for independence despite fears of a global recession sparked by Donald Trump's trade war. It comes as the First Minister will this week host a summit of political and civic leaders to discuss how to "lock-out" the far-right from Scottish politics. The event is a reaction to the rise in support for Reform across the UK, with polls suggesting Nigel Farage's party will make a substantial breakthrough at next year's Holyrood election. But Regan, who will attend the summit, said voters should be inspired by independence as an alternative to the UK's economic woes. She also took a swipe at the Scottish Conservatives for choosing to boycott the event. The Alba MSP said: "We are close to only one year out from the Scottish elections, but for too many independence is drifting into an abstract concept. "I will be attending the First Minister's summit on Wednesday - as unlike the Tories I think it's important to be in the room, instead of harping on about grievances outside the room. "However, it isn't a summit aimed at locking Reform out of Scottish politics that we need. It is time for the Scottish Government, and Holyrood, to seize the political initiative on independence. "An independence convention should be called this summer. It would bring energy back to the movement and allow for the constitutional imperative of independence to be reconnected to the economic necessity of delivering it as an immediate priority. "With independence we would have control over our own resources to address people's concerns about the lack of investment in public services and the lack of support with their cost of living. "Importantly, with independence we would have control over our own borders and immigration. That means that we would have an immigration system that suits the needs of Scotland and not a one size fits all model imposed upon us by London. "The Scottish Government must signal that they are serious about taking Scotland forward to independence and bringing together representatives of civic society and Scotland's parliamentarians for a summit on independence is the way to show intent." An SNP spokesman said: "The SNP is the party of independence. "We are focussed on delivering for people across the country and making the case for taking decisions in Scotland for Scotland with independence." Russell Findlay, the Scots Tory leader, last week said he would not attend an "anti-right wing" summit being held by the First Minister. He claimed the event was "not required" and accused John Swinney of using the meeting to "deflect from the SNP's dismal record".
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MSPs urge John Swinney to tackle 'explosion' of Edinburgh gang violence
John Swinney has been urged to organise a summit on how to tackle organised crime in Scotland as a gang war rages across its two biggest cities. A turf war between rival gangs of drug dealers has escalated in recent weeks from across Edinburgh to a string of properties in Glasgow. Three people were arrested and charged yesterday (April 18) in connection with drugs and firearms offences as Police Scotland tries to bring the violent feud to an end. READ MORE: Edinburgh presenter Kirsty Gallacher's rugby player boyfriend and bold new career READ MORE: Edinburgh teen girl, 17, and two men arrested after weapons and a firearm seized A Scottish Government spokesman last night said "disrupting organised crime and diverting individuals away from organised crime remains a priority", reports the Record. But they added the reported incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh are an operational matter for Police Scotland. In recent weeks, shots have been fired at buildings and a number of properties have been set on fire in and around both Scottish cities. One MSP is now calling for the First Minister to intervene on the issue of organised crime. 'The latest explosion of violence in Glasgow and Edinburgh is directly linked to a drugs war that has been raging across Scotland since 2001, we're almost a quarter of a century into this drugs war," said Russell Findlay. 'These parasites, these drug dealers, have no levels of depravity that are too low.' He said the 'turf war' has already led to innocent civilians being caught up in the attacks on properties, and called on the Government to ensure police are properly resourced and 'look again' at proceeds of crime legislation – which is used to seize assets from convicted criminals. The First Minister is holding a summit on April 23 designed to tackle the rise of the far-right – in which he included Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The SNP leader has invited other political parties and civil society groups to try and build consensus on the issue, but the Conservatives have dismissed the event as a 'talking shop'. Findlay added: "John Swinney, who represents a party of polarisation and division, is staging a summit next week supposedly to tackle polarisation in politics. 'Perhaps he'd be better spent staging a summit to tackle the blight of organised crime and drug dealing in Scotland.' The Scots Tory leader said organised crime groups, including the internationally wanted Kinahan gang, appear to be using Dubai as a 'bolthole' and a hub for money laundering. He said: '(The Kinahans) are primarily based in the United Arab Emirates and it seems even the United States, who are looking to arrest the Kinahan gang members, are unable to persuade that country to hand them over. 'So the UK Foreign Office and our international partners including the US need to do whatever they can to ensure these drugs gangs… are brought to account.' Earlier this month, four people were arrested as part of a police investigation into rival 'groups' in Edinburgh. Police are also investigating a series of deliberate fires in and around Glasgow. On Friday three more people – including a 17-year-old girl – were arrested and charged in connection with drugs and firearms offences in Edinburgh. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The First Minister has been clear that the far right and racist hatred should have no place in Scotland. Wednesday's event will bring together political, faith and community leaders to agree a common approach to asserting Scotland's shared values and creating a cohesive society where everyone feels at home. "Disrupting organised crime and diverting individuals away from organised crime remains a priority for the Scottish Government and partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce as shown through the Serious Organised Crime strategy which puts the emphasis firmly on identifying the key threats, focusing on strengthening the links between intelligence, and making better use of data."
