HUNDREDS of Scots women with breast cancer are failing to take vital drugs because they can't afford them.
More than a third of sufferers are struggling to pay prescription charges for drugs to keep them alive, a charity claimed today.
A study by Breast Cancer Care revealed 39% of Scots patients had financial difficulties after paying prescription charges for treatment.
Of this group, 13% had not taken the drugs because of the cost.
Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, a former nurse, said: "The exemption system is unfair and the sheer cost of the administration is a complete waste of resources."
Evening Times
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Health chief rejects A&E closure fears
HEALTH bosses have dismissed the fears of thousands of patients who face a longer drive to casualty after an A&E is axed.
Gordon Martin, of Lanarkshire Health United, said: "If you're having a heart attack or your child is having an asthma attack, an extra 10 minutes could be the difference between life and death."
Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, who lives in East Kilbride and worked in the NHS, said: "This is another example of how flawed the health board's thinking is."
Evening Times
Gordon Martin, of Lanarkshire Health United, said: "If you're having a heart attack or your child is having an asthma attack, an extra 10 minutes could be the difference between life and death."
Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, who lives in East Kilbride and worked in the NHS, said: "This is another example of how flawed the health board's thinking is."
Evening Times
Review of second home payouts to MSPs
Jack McConnell has ordered a review of one of the most lucrative of MSP allowances amid concerns that people are cashing in on the capital's property boom.
The first minister yesterday asked the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to review the controversial Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance, which allows MSPs who live more than 90 minutes from Edinburgh to claim up to £10,600 a year for a mortgage on a second home.
Around 50 MSPs are thought to have taken advantage of the scheme since devolution, and some are believed to have sold on their homes for large profits.
Mr McConnell's move came after sustained pressure from Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist MSP for Glasgow, who branded the allowance "a property gravy train for well-paid MSPs".
Mr Sheridan this week failed to force MSPs to disclose how much they made selling homes bought in part with public funds by amending a new bill defining the register of members' interests.
The Herald
The first minister yesterday asked the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to review the controversial Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance, which allows MSPs who live more than 90 minutes from Edinburgh to claim up to £10,600 a year for a mortgage on a second home.
Around 50 MSPs are thought to have taken advantage of the scheme since devolution, and some are believed to have sold on their homes for large profits.
Mr McConnell's move came after sustained pressure from Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist MSP for Glasgow, who branded the allowance "a property gravy train for well-paid MSPs".
Mr Sheridan this week failed to force MSPs to disclose how much they made selling homes bought in part with public funds by amending a new bill defining the register of members' interests.
The Herald
Monday, April 24, 2006
Second mass demo over plans to close A&E units
PROTESTERS battling to stop the closure of two casualty units are preparing for another massive demonstration against the cuts.
An estimated 2000 people attended Saturday's demonstration against the closure of Monkland's accident and emergency department.
The crowd, who linked arms to form a chain around the hospital, were joined by defence secretary John Reid, whose constituency includes Monklands.
Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, a member of the Lanarkshire Health United group, said: "We don't agree with the health board's rationale that one of the casualty units has to close."
And Dr Reid said: "In this area, we have more social deprivation.
"Many people don't drive so transport to a hospital further away is an issue and this area has a 30% higher mortality rate for over-60s than the rest of the country."
Evening Times
An estimated 2000 people attended Saturday's demonstration against the closure of Monkland's accident and emergency department.
The crowd, who linked arms to form a chain around the hospital, were joined by defence secretary John Reid, whose constituency includes Monklands.
Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, a member of the Lanarkshire Health United group, said: "We don't agree with the health board's rationale that one of the casualty units has to close."
And Dr Reid said: "In this area, we have more social deprivation.
"Many people don't drive so transport to a hospital further away is an issue and this area has a 30% higher mortality rate for over-60s than the rest of the country."
Evening Times
Sunday, April 23, 2006
MSPs hire interns from anti-gay US college
MSPs are hiring interns from a right-wing American university that refuses to enrol openly gay students.
Scottish taxpayers are helping fund the placements from Brigham Young in Utah, a Mormon institution which has a zero tolerance policy on “homosexual conduct”.
SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie said that she too hoped that the parliament did not have links with any homophobic organisation.
“I would condemn any university that practices discrimination. It should be clear from the parliament that this is unacceptable. We should also be forging links with universities that are less elitist,” she said.
Sunday Herald
Scottish taxpayers are helping fund the placements from Brigham Young in Utah, a Mormon institution which has a zero tolerance policy on “homosexual conduct”.
SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie said that she too hoped that the parliament did not have links with any homophobic organisation.
“I would condemn any university that practices discrimination. It should be clear from the parliament that this is unacceptable. We should also be forging links with universities that are less elitist,” she said.
Sunday Herald
Saturday, April 22, 2006
SSP business in the Scotish Parliament
On Thursday morning, the Socialist Party got to chose the issues for debate.
They called for drugs to be decriminalised.
It was the only way to fight the drugs menace, they argued.
Addicts should have the right to treatment within seven days.
If necessary they should be prescribed heroin as they began their rehabilitation regime.
The motion was defeated by 79 votes to 6, the SNP and the Greens abstained.
The second Socialist debate was on the pensions dispute in local government.
Socialist leader Colin Fox said the Scottish Executive was using European law - scrapping the so-called rule of 85 which allows some workers to retire at 60 - to mount a wider assault on public sector pensions.
BBC Scotland journalist John Knox on the week in the Scottish Parliament
They called for drugs to be decriminalised.
It was the only way to fight the drugs menace, they argued.
Addicts should have the right to treatment within seven days.
If necessary they should be prescribed heroin as they began their rehabilitation regime.
The motion was defeated by 79 votes to 6, the SNP and the Greens abstained.
The second Socialist debate was on the pensions dispute in local government.
Socialist leader Colin Fox said the Scottish Executive was using European law - scrapping the so-called rule of 85 which allows some workers to retire at 60 - to mount a wider assault on public sector pensions.
BBC Scotland journalist John Knox on the week in the Scottish Parliament
Friday, April 21, 2006
Council chief slams moves to downgrade hospital A&E unit
NEARLY 4700 extra emergency patients could be forced to seek treatment at Glasgow's largest hospital if a controversial casualty closure goes ahead.
NHS Lanarkshire has published details of how its proposal to close an accident and emergency unit in its area would force more patients to seek treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, a former midwife and union rep at the Royal, said: "The Royal can't cope already and that can only get worse when Glasgow cuts its own provision."
Evening Times
NHS Lanarkshire has published details of how its proposal to close an accident and emergency unit in its area would force more patients to seek treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, a former midwife and union rep at the Royal, said: "The Royal can't cope already and that can only get worse when Glasgow cuts its own provision."
Evening Times
Fox hunts McConnell on nuclear question
Yesterday's prize went, nevertheless, to Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialists. There, we've said it: the hopeless Utopians were on the money. Fox knew, as the world knows, that Jack has a problem with nuclear power so tricky you could use it in a magic act. The Socialist also knew any possible straight answer Jack might give would land the executive in super-heated water.
Nukes or not? The London government is increasingly keen on the building of new stations. Jack's Liberal Democrat partners are not. The first minister's line is that nothing will be decided until the issue of radioactive waste is "resolved". That defence is close to meltdown.
As Fox pointed out, Tony Blair is ready to go nuclear. Others believe boffins cannot "resolve" the waste issue. So where does that leave the first minister? "Will he today take the opportunity," asked Fox, "to come out categorically against more nuclear power stations in Scotland?"
No fear. Jack wanted us to understand there were two sides to this tricky argument, energy needs versus waste. Perhaps so, but Fox was more interested in political nuclear reactions.
"What assurances can the first minister give this parliament that his view and not that of the British prime minister will hold sway in this parliament?"
Jack's answer, in full: "The decision on whether or not a new nuclear power station would (sic) be built in Scotland will be made by this devolved government. We have the responsibilities. We will take them seriously. But we will make the decision and no-one else".
Problem solved? Don't be daft.
The Herald
Nukes or not? The London government is increasingly keen on the building of new stations. Jack's Liberal Democrat partners are not. The first minister's line is that nothing will be decided until the issue of radioactive waste is "resolved". That defence is close to meltdown.
As Fox pointed out, Tony Blair is ready to go nuclear. Others believe boffins cannot "resolve" the waste issue. So where does that leave the first minister? "Will he today take the opportunity," asked Fox, "to come out categorically against more nuclear power stations in Scotland?"
No fear. Jack wanted us to understand there were two sides to this tricky argument, energy needs versus waste. Perhaps so, but Fox was more interested in political nuclear reactions.
"What assurances can the first minister give this parliament that his view and not that of the British prime minister will hold sway in this parliament?"
Jack's answer, in full: "The decision on whether or not a new nuclear power station would (sic) be built in Scotland will be made by this devolved government. We have the responsibilities. We will take them seriously. But we will make the decision and no-one else".
Problem solved? Don't be daft.
The Herald
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Call to deliver better care to Scots drug addicts
MINISTERS were urged today to guarantee that drug addicts get help within seven days of seeking treatment.
The Scottish Socialist Party wants initial assessments to take place and care packages to be drawn up within a week of drug-users coming forward.
SSP drugs spokeswoman Rosemary Byrne was telling MSPs that should be a statutory right for drug-users looking for help.
And the Socialists argue that should be an integrated package of care, including if necessary, residential treatment.
But Ms Byrne claimed today that such care was not available to many addicts at present.
She said: "The rich can afford Priory-style first-class treatment but far too many working-class kids are parked on methadone."
Edinburgh Evening News
The Scottish Socialist Party wants initial assessments to take place and care packages to be drawn up within a week of drug-users coming forward.
SSP drugs spokeswoman Rosemary Byrne was telling MSPs that should be a statutory right for drug-users looking for help.
And the Socialists argue that should be an integrated package of care, including if necessary, residential treatment.
But Ms Byrne claimed today that such care was not available to many addicts at present.
She said: "The rich can afford Priory-style first-class treatment but far too many working-class kids are parked on methadone."
Edinburgh Evening News
Asylum student and family can stay
An Albanian student threatened with deportation will remain in Scotland following a dramatic appeal by university chiefs to allow her to complete her studies.
Rosie Kane, the socialist MSP, who met the family three months before their arrest, said: "It's three times in the last two weeks that families have been released because it was found that their case has not been concluded. Clearly, they are being picked up because their cases have not been properly examined.
"There's absolutely no reason why they should have been put through this horrendous trauma."
The Herald
Rosie Kane, the socialist MSP, who met the family three months before their arrest, said: "It's three times in the last two weeks that families have been released because it was found that their case has not been concluded. Clearly, they are being picked up because their cases have not been properly examined.
"There's absolutely no reason why they should have been put through this horrendous trauma."
The Herald
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Call for Hepatitis C Inquiry
The Herald MSPs on the influential Holyrood health committee yesterday demanded an independent public inquiry into the case of thousands of people who contracted hepatitis C from blood products, but only after procedural manoeuvring sparked controversy.
There were claims of underhand tactics as the LibDem MSP who is to serve on the committee, Euan Robson, was barred from voting by Roseanna Cunningham, the convener and an SNP MSP. He had not been elected to the position by the full parliament following a reshuffle of LibDem portfolios.
Ms Cunningham's casting vote meant the committee backed the full inquiry. Labour members wanted the decision delayed until Mr Robson, who is newly on the committee, is qualified to vote. Andy Kerr, health minister, had argued in January any investigation would not show anything new.
An estimated 3500 people contracted the infection from blood transfusions, before adequate screening was developed in 1991. New evidence, presented yesterday by Carolyn Leckie, Scottish Socialist party MSP, showed the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) knew there was a screening option available for at least five years between 1986 and 1991. Although the test could only detect five out of every six cases of infection, the service refused to implement it.
There were claims of underhand tactics as the LibDem MSP who is to serve on the committee, Euan Robson, was barred from voting by Roseanna Cunningham, the convener and an SNP MSP. He had not been elected to the position by the full parliament following a reshuffle of LibDem portfolios.
Ms Cunningham's casting vote meant the committee backed the full inquiry. Labour members wanted the decision delayed until Mr Robson, who is newly on the committee, is qualified to vote. Andy Kerr, health minister, had argued in January any investigation would not show anything new.
An estimated 3500 people contracted the infection from blood transfusions, before adequate screening was developed in 1991. New evidence, presented yesterday by Carolyn Leckie, Scottish Socialist party MSP, showed the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) knew there was a screening option available for at least five years between 1986 and 1991. Although the test could only detect five out of every six cases of infection, the service refused to implement it.
SSP objects to Royal birthday best wishes
Scotsman: "SSP objects to Royal birthday best wishes
HAMISH MACDONELL
THE Scottish Socialists will attempt to turn a parliamentary tribute to the Queen's 80th birthday into a political protest today.
Jack McConnell has tabled a motion to the Scottish Parliament congratulating the Queen on her birthday.
All the party leaders will get the chance to contribute to the short debate but Frances Curran, who will speak for the SPP, yesterday dismissed it as a 'waste of time' and said she will tell MSPs it is wrong to spend time debating the birthday of an unelected monarch.
The SSP tabled a counter motion, calling on the Queen to retire and for a Scottish socialist republic. It was not accepted for debate.
Ms Curran said: 'I am annoyed with the parliament, that the legislative chamber is taking half an hour to give birthday wishes to the Queen.
'But, if they want to do that, they should include a full spectrum of views.
'The fact that we are curtseying to an unelected head of state is ridiculous.'"
HAMISH MACDONELL
THE Scottish Socialists will attempt to turn a parliamentary tribute to the Queen's 80th birthday into a political protest today.
Jack McConnell has tabled a motion to the Scottish Parliament congratulating the Queen on her birthday.
All the party leaders will get the chance to contribute to the short debate but Frances Curran, who will speak for the SPP, yesterday dismissed it as a 'waste of time' and said she will tell MSPs it is wrong to spend time debating the birthday of an unelected monarch.
The SSP tabled a counter motion, calling on the Queen to retire and for a Scottish socialist republic. It was not accepted for debate.
Ms Curran said: 'I am annoyed with the parliament, that the legislative chamber is taking half an hour to give birthday wishes to the Queen.
'But, if they want to do that, they should include a full spectrum of views.
'The fact that we are curtseying to an unelected head of state is ridiculous.'"
Saturday, April 15, 2006
College Crisis
Greenock Telegraph
COLLEGE bosses still plan to sack 70 lecturers — even though they're set to get over £2.4 million extra cash next year.
Crisis-hit James Watt College will get a 10.8 per cent rise in cash from the Scottish Funding Council.
But bosses still want 70 compulsary redundancies and to impose new conditions on staff.
And if the unions don't accept the package, all lecturing staff could be axed and rehired on new terms.
EIS union branch secretary Alan Ferguson said: "Their reason to cut jobs is to generate a huge profit and most colleges are not operating on that basis.
"Will this new funding change the minds of management? I suspect not.
"But a rise of 10.8 per cent is going to be a really good increase. I would call on them, in light of the figures, to withdraw their threats to sack one in five lecturers."
A spokeswoman for the SFC said: "A college has to show they're doing what they said they were going to do in student numbers and provision, and that they're spending the money to meet their own targets and giving value for money. How they achieve that is up to them." The combined cash from the SFC and student fees will give the college an extra £2.4m.
James Watt College said there was no-one available to comment this week.
• SOCIALIST MSP Frances Curran welcomed a unanimous call by the STUC annual conference in Perth for an urgent investigation into the management of James Watt College.
Ms Curran pledged "100 per cent support" for STUC demands that college staff jobs and conditions be protected.
And revealed that she had written to Scottish Executive minister Nicol Stephen urging him to investigate the actions of the principal and board.
COLLEGE bosses still plan to sack 70 lecturers — even though they're set to get over £2.4 million extra cash next year.
Crisis-hit James Watt College will get a 10.8 per cent rise in cash from the Scottish Funding Council.
But bosses still want 70 compulsary redundancies and to impose new conditions on staff.
And if the unions don't accept the package, all lecturing staff could be axed and rehired on new terms.
EIS union branch secretary Alan Ferguson said: "Their reason to cut jobs is to generate a huge profit and most colleges are not operating on that basis.
"Will this new funding change the minds of management? I suspect not.
"But a rise of 10.8 per cent is going to be a really good increase. I would call on them, in light of the figures, to withdraw their threats to sack one in five lecturers."
A spokeswoman for the SFC said: "A college has to show they're doing what they said they were going to do in student numbers and provision, and that they're spending the money to meet their own targets and giving value for money. How they achieve that is up to them." The combined cash from the SFC and student fees will give the college an extra £2.4m.
James Watt College said there was no-one available to comment this week.
• SOCIALIST MSP Frances Curran welcomed a unanimous call by the STUC annual conference in Perth for an urgent investigation into the management of James Watt College.
Ms Curran pledged "100 per cent support" for STUC demands that college staff jobs and conditions be protected.
And revealed that she had written to Scottish Executive minister Nicol Stephen urging him to investigate the actions of the principal and board.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Safety fears over plasma products
Sunday Herald: "PRODUCTION of blood plasma medicines at an NHS facility in Scotland was halted after regulators found many quality control faults, the Sunday Herald can reveal...
MSP Carolyn Leckie, health spokes woman for the SSP, said any plans to privatise the centre, which emerged as a possibility last year, would not help.
She added: “Privatising it is just going to remove any accountability altoge ther. It should be invested in. They have known what the problems are for decades, they have just refused to put the money in.”"
MSP Carolyn Leckie, health spokes woman for the SSP, said any plans to privatise the centre, which emerged as a possibility last year, would not help.
She added: “Privatising it is just going to remove any accountability altoge ther. It should be invested in. They have known what the problems are for decades, they have just refused to put the money in.”"
Che Guevara banned from games
Scotland on Sunday
FLAGS or scarves bearing political images such as Che Guevara have been banned from football grounds as a result of anti-sectarian laws designed to crackdown on religious bigots.
The communist South American guerrilla fighter is among the more bizarre victims of the new laws, which are supposed to be aimed at preventing fans from displaying inflammatory religious imagery.
Advert for The Scotsman Digital Archive
However, regulations also stipulate that anything "political" must also be banned, meaning that Guevara - whose image has been worn by Celtic fans in the past - has now been ruled out of bounds.
Flags backing the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, sometimes displayed by Celtic supporters, also fall within the remit of the ban. The prohibition was highlighted by one Celtic fan and member of the Scottish Socialist Party, who recently attempted to buy a flag bearing Guevara's image at Hampden park.
Wullie McGartland said: "I asked one of the sellers if he knew where I could get one.
"He told me to wait there while he went into a box under the table, then pulled out the very scarf I'd spent 20 minutes looking for."
He went on: "I asked him why the scarves were not on display, only to be told that the council had banned them for being 'overtly political' as part of the crackdown on sectarianism."
Glasgow City Council confirmed that licensing rules for street traders now prevent them from selling political imagery at football matches.
The rules state that no flags or scarves can be sold which have a "political, racial, religious or sectarian content or which could reasonably be construed as inciting".
McGartland added: "I don't understand what the bold Che has got to do with it [sectarianism]. There is no mention on the scarf of the IRA or anything else from across the water - just a picture of Che, his name and Hasta La Victoria Siempre [Always toward victory]."
He added: "Maybe the New Labour-run council doesn't like being reminded of what a real socialist looks like."
The regulations on selling sectarian material in Scotland were introduced in 2003.
Exclusion zones are now operating outside all of Glasgow's three main football grounds: Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden.
Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist MSP, said: "The most iconic image of freedom and justice throughout the world is Che Guevara's image, and to ban paraphernalia of that image is dictatorship personified."
He added: "Only those in authority who want to maintain that authority have anything to fear from Che Guevara. This is a ban too far."
FLAGS or scarves bearing political images such as Che Guevara have been banned from football grounds as a result of anti-sectarian laws designed to crackdown on religious bigots.
The communist South American guerrilla fighter is among the more bizarre victims of the new laws, which are supposed to be aimed at preventing fans from displaying inflammatory religious imagery.
Advert for The Scotsman Digital Archive
However, regulations also stipulate that anything "political" must also be banned, meaning that Guevara - whose image has been worn by Celtic fans in the past - has now been ruled out of bounds.
Flags backing the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, sometimes displayed by Celtic supporters, also fall within the remit of the ban. The prohibition was highlighted by one Celtic fan and member of the Scottish Socialist Party, who recently attempted to buy a flag bearing Guevara's image at Hampden park.
Wullie McGartland said: "I asked one of the sellers if he knew where I could get one.
"He told me to wait there while he went into a box under the table, then pulled out the very scarf I'd spent 20 minutes looking for."
He went on: "I asked him why the scarves were not on display, only to be told that the council had banned them for being 'overtly political' as part of the crackdown on sectarianism."
Glasgow City Council confirmed that licensing rules for street traders now prevent them from selling political imagery at football matches.
The rules state that no flags or scarves can be sold which have a "political, racial, religious or sectarian content or which could reasonably be construed as inciting".
McGartland added: "I don't understand what the bold Che has got to do with it [sectarianism]. There is no mention on the scarf of the IRA or anything else from across the water - just a picture of Che, his name and Hasta La Victoria Siempre [Always toward victory]."
He added: "Maybe the New Labour-run council doesn't like being reminded of what a real socialist looks like."
The regulations on selling sectarian material in Scotland were introduced in 2003.
Exclusion zones are now operating outside all of Glasgow's three main football grounds: Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden.
Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist MSP, said: "The most iconic image of freedom and justice throughout the world is Che Guevara's image, and to ban paraphernalia of that image is dictatorship personified."
He added: "Only those in authority who want to maintain that authority have anything to fear from Che Guevara. This is a ban too far."
Monday, April 03, 2006
MSP cleared of protest disruption
BBC
Tommy Sheridan has been cleared of causing disruption during a protest at a Glasgow immigration centre.
Mr Sheridan, 41, was alleged to have been part of a trio who blocked guards by chaining barricades and an old fridge to gates in November last year.
The Scottish Socialist MSP was arrested along with two other men after the demo against dawn raids at the Govan centre.
The men were acquitted of breach of the peace after a five-day trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Mr Sheridan, who defended himself during the trial, branded the claims "unconvincing".
Sheridan and co-accused Stuart Kerr, 28, of Helensburgh, were found not proven.
The charge against David Reilly, 27, from Whiteinch in Glasgow, was dropped by prosecutors at the end of the evidence.
Mr Sheridan told the court: "The nature of the demo was to disrupt activities at the centre. We probably did annoy members of staff.
"However, I would submit that the evidence that we have heard is woefully insufficient."
A host of witnesses spoke on their behalf, including Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six freed in 1991.
He described it as "one of the most peaceful" he had been at and said he was "very surprised" at the arrests.
Tommy Sheridan has been cleared of causing disruption during a protest at a Glasgow immigration centre.
Mr Sheridan, 41, was alleged to have been part of a trio who blocked guards by chaining barricades and an old fridge to gates in November last year.
The Scottish Socialist MSP was arrested along with two other men after the demo against dawn raids at the Govan centre.
The men were acquitted of breach of the peace after a five-day trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Mr Sheridan, who defended himself during the trial, branded the claims "unconvincing".
Sheridan and co-accused Stuart Kerr, 28, of Helensburgh, were found not proven.
The charge against David Reilly, 27, from Whiteinch in Glasgow, was dropped by prosecutors at the end of the evidence.
Mr Sheridan told the court: "The nature of the demo was to disrupt activities at the centre. We probably did annoy members of staff.
"However, I would submit that the evidence that we have heard is woefully insufficient."
A host of witnesses spoke on their behalf, including Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six freed in 1991.
He described it as "one of the most peaceful" he had been at and said he was "very surprised" at the arrests.
Probe into Labour Council
The Herald
The leader and the education chief of a Labour-run council are to face disciplinary hearings at the party's London HQ, after an internal investigation into allegations of vote-rigging, bullying and harassment...
Behind the row is a claim by senior Labour figures that large amounts of council funds are allocated to areas of most political advantage. Clydebank schools have allegedly been given the lion's share of a £100m improvements fund, meaning less for Dumbarton. The decision is understood to have been taken without being properly minuted.
Even Labour activists admit that the closure of a library and resource centre in Renton can only be explained by the town being represented by a Scottish Socialist Party councillor.
The leader and the education chief of a Labour-run council are to face disciplinary hearings at the party's London HQ, after an internal investigation into allegations of vote-rigging, bullying and harassment...
Behind the row is a claim by senior Labour figures that large amounts of council funds are allocated to areas of most political advantage. Clydebank schools have allegedly been given the lion's share of a £100m improvements fund, meaning less for Dumbarton. The decision is understood to have been taken without being properly minuted.
Even Labour activists admit that the closure of a library and resource centre in Renton can only be explained by the town being represented by a Scottish Socialist Party councillor.
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