Letters: Ignore media claims that SNP members are now split

Most people seem to understand that the issue which Mr Salmond wishes to take to court depends solely on fairness, the right of everyone accused of something to have their own defence and the corroboration of any supporting witnesses considered before any judgment of guilt or innocence. Even known criminals have these rights in a court of law.

Equally, folk seem to accept Nicola Sturgeon’s clearly stated position that no-one, whoever they are, should have special consideration.

I would suggest that the story has been blown up to such proportions due to the usual glee with which the media, the other parties who have a visceral hatred of the SNP for “stealing” so much of their traditional power base, and those who oppose independence at any cost continually search for and pounce on anything that they can build on to slate and, they hope, diminish the SNP.

I have yet to find any indication of a split among my friends or casual acquaintances among SNP supporters such as is making headline news. But without this headline tag it would be too tame a story to continue day after day and would not help the agenda of hostile attack.

As to the crowdfunding, to me that is an indictment of our legal system as it is clear that, to seek justice, one must be able to afford many thousands of pounds for the costs. By this method, Mr Salmond is merely trying to acquire the means to defend his right to the norms of justice, a fair hearing before judgment and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Those supporting him are in many cases simply supporting this principle.

Just as Charles Kennedy will be remembered, in spite of his alcoholism and sad early death, as the man who took the LibDems to their best position in the polls since the days of Jo Grimond or even earlier, whatever the outcome of the current entire process, nothing can detract from Alex Salmond’s place in history whose dedication to an ideal took the SNP from “a wasted vote” to government and a referendum on restoring Scotland’s control of its own affairs.

L McGregor
Falkirk

READ MORE: This is what Alex Salmond's judicial review can and can't do​

LAST night I watched Newsnight on BBC2, presented by Emily Maitlis. She had Iain Macwhirter and a journalist from The Scotsman in the studio to talk about the Alex Salmond resignation and the crowdfunding issue.

Her aggressive demeanour towards Mr Salmond came across from the start. She introduced Mr Macwhirter as being “from the Alex Salmond camp” in order to ensure viewers did not treat his comments as being impartial. Although he corrected her, the image had already been set.

She then referred to Mr Salmond as having “£250 million” at his disposal and therefore not needing crowdfunding. Once again, Iain Macwhirter corrected her and said that she must mean £250,000 and, anyway, he gives much of that amount away to charity. Emily Maitlis attempted to interrupt every time he tried to make a point.

On the other hand, the lady from the independence-hating Scotsman newspaper was allowed uninterrupted time to bad-mouth Mr Salmond and to try and create a division within the independence movement by implying that there will now be a rift between the male and female supporters and that Mr Salmond was creating a separate camp to compete with Nicola Sturgeon.

For some time now, the British state has been at war against the prospect of a new independence vote by using the print media, TV, radio and even supermarket branding. Those of us who are less engaged could well be swayed by their propaganda if we are not careful.

Alasdair Forbes
Farr, Inverness-shire

READ MORE: SNP 'pretty united' as Salmond crowdfunder raises more than £85k

THESE are indeed depressing times, what with Trump flailing around, the Westminster tragi-comedy, far-right movements in parts of Europe, suppression of tax-dodging information revealed in the Panama and “Paradise” leaks, Prince Andrew demanding that we pay for his daughter’s wedding, Putin flexing his expansionist muscles, etc.

There is a nasty smell around, particularly in relation to the attacks on Corbyn and, now, our own Alex Salmond. It seems to me that, aided by the media, the English establishment is seeking to tighten its control by destroying its left and centre-left opponents.

The only parties which should represent a coherent opposition in numerical terms are being targeted; the Labour party (at Westminster) under the weak leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and internal sniping from Blairites and others, makes an easy target – yet I do not believe Corbyn is anti-Jewish or racist in any way. The actions of Israeli governments have caused distress and anger to many of us since the six-day war land grab. Similarly, the Ukraine and Georgia land grabs by Russia or the Chinese incorporation of Tibet and its massive settlement of Han Chinese in Uighur lands are despicable and have caused distress and disruption to indigenous inhabitants.

The other threat to Tory monopoly of power is the SNP (at Holyrood and at Westminster) and its allies here in Scotland. The media is making as much trouble as it can over the Salmond allegations. The media would rejoice should the party fall apart over this, so it is important that we keep our heads and let the various due processes take their course.

It would be better, now, of course if Alex Salmond himself adopted a low profile, though it is obvious that he feels very angry. It may ultimately be a good thing for parliament’s procedures in investigating theses cases to be tested in court – and revised if necessary.

The strange thing is that the party which is in the biggest mess of all is the Conservative party! Yet its renegade MPs are feted by the BBC with numerous interviews and appearances on Question Time and unchallenged statements.

Andrew McCrae
Gourock