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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jul 30, 2016 16:34:25 GMT -8
For anyone that might take an interest :
These Scottish Parliamentary Justice Committee hearings,can be viewed on You Tube.DCC Richardson's was December 15th 2015,ACC Nicolson's was January 12th 2016,and Derek Penman's was June 28th 2016.
Though some might believe otherwise,I would recommend these hearings as ''great car crash TV'' for True Crime enthusiasts.
On view,is some of the best displays of ''diplomatic prevarication'',one is ever likely to witness.Some might call it ''lying''.I think that an added bonus,is the attire of some of these police personnel.The classic ''expensive wristwatch with cheap suit,combination''is perhaps,a worse affront to moral sensitivities,than the ''prevarication''.
On a more sobering note,and in fairness to the cops,they really are trying to do their ''deadly serious'' jobs,to the best of their ability.
One may well find out,at a later date,that the worse sinners are the ''unseen'',who may,or may not,have entrusted the Committee with a task,for which they have not been fully briefed [?].
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Post by Ricardo on Aug 11, 2016 0:15:13 GMT -8
For anyone that might take an interest : These Scottish Parliamentary Justice Committee hearings,can be viewed on You Tube.DCC Richardson's was December 15th 2015,ACC Nicolson's was January 12th 2016,and Derek Penman's was June 28th 2016. Though some might believe otherwise,I would recommend these hearings as ''great car crash TV'' for True Crime enthusiasts. On view,is some of the best displays of ''diplomatic prevarication'',one is ever likely to witness.Some might call it ''lying''.I think that an added bonus,is the attire of some of these police personnel.The classic ''expensive wristwatch with cheap suit,combination''is perhaps,a worse affront to moral sensitivities,than the ''prevarication''. On a more sobering note,and in fairness to the cops,they really are trying to do their ''deadly serious'' jobs,to the best of their ability. One may well find out,at a later date,that the worse sinners are the ''unseen'',who may,or may not,have entrusted the Committee with a task,for which they have not been fully briefed [?]. |
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 11, 2016 12:11:19 GMT -8
This is marvelous,Ricardo,that you have managed to post these three hearings on ZKM. Many readers might find them a bit baffling,but it is very possible that they might take on historical significance,in time. Just to home in on the third hearing - essentially,an interview with ''one'' Derek Penman,Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary,who has brought with him,his newly published review of the conduct of the C.C.U. - the Counter Corruption Unit - which is,in essence,the ''band of brothers'' that represent the most senior cops of all. As John Finnie MSP points out,Derek Penman is an ex-Deputy Chief Constable,himself,and there is obviously a suspicion that the Justice Committee are uncertain whether Mr.Penman has acted wholly independently in compiling his assessment into Police conduct,at the most senior level. The main focus of attention : DCC Richardson claims that a decision to spy on Newspaper sources [illegally],was taken,following a tenth anniversary article on the Emma Caldwell murder,published by The Daily Record [April 5th 2015].DCC Richardson claims that this decision was taken,albeit unwisely,through pressure brought to bear by a ''current live murder inquiry'',at that time. The claim of ''live murder inquiry'',was subsequently denied by colleague ACC Nicolson....and now,effectively,by Derek Penman - who has stated this,in writing,in his ''supposedly'' independent review,as an Inspector of Constabulary. On May 26th 2015,The Lord Advocate formerly requests a re-investigation,by Police Scotland,into the murder of Emma Caldwell.It was assumed then,and now ''supposedly''confirmed by the C.C.U AND Derek Penman,that the re-investigation came about,as a result of that tenth anniversary article. So,the Justice Committee,assumes that DCC Richardson was,indeed,lying,when he claimed that his mitigation for acting illegally,was through pressure brought to bear,by a ''live murder inquiry''. BUT,BUT,BUT...the Justice Committee had no idea that,actually,on the date of the tenth anniversary article,there WAS a ''live murder inquiry'' ongoing !Since February 27th 2015....just five weeks earlier,The Lord Advocate had formerly requested that a re-investigation into the murder of Brenda Page,be carried out. So,is it the case that DCC Richardson was actually telling the truth,with respect to a ''live murder inquiry'' - and that it is actually the ''Top cops''and Mr.Penman,who are the ''prevaricators''  ? And,if it is the case that the ''Top cops'' are seeking to ''cover-up'' the truth of the matter - just why ? The only possible reason is,that the ''Top cops'' don't want the Justice Committee [....who represent a ''gateway'' to public knowledge..],finding out that the tenth anniversary article had nothing to do with anything !It was merely a coincidence [?]. What appears to be the case [..unsubstantiated..],is that Police Scotland may,or may not,have found a link,between the murders of Brenda Page and Emma Caldwell. Two murders of young women,twenty-seven years apart. |
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 11, 2016 12:54:23 GMT -8
Just as a postscript,it may be difficult to believe that,up until a week ago,the Justice Committee had no idea that The Lord Advocate had requested a re-investigation into the murder of Brenda Page [....constituting a ''live murder inquiry''...],on February 27th 2015.
Well,Margaret Mitchell MSP,convener of the Justice Committee,certainly knows now.
Let the fireworks begin.....
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 13, 2016 2:38:37 GMT -8
As the Police Scotland ''Spying Scandal'' continues to gather momentum,as opposed to quietly disappearing,there are some facts that are worth mentioning,for anyone interested :
i] The re-investigations of the murders of Brenda Page [Aberdeen,July 1978],and Emma Caldwell [Greater Glasgow,April 2005],remain ongoing.Ms.Page's team reside in Aberdeen [since February 2015],and Ms.Caldwell's team,in Stirling [since May 2015].Both teams have been handpicked by ex-Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland,and are primarily answerable to the office of The Lord Advocate.
ii] Police Scotland is an institution,of only three years longevity,representing the amalgamation of various regional forces in the devolved State of Scotland.It is one of 14 major Police Forces in the UK.Numbering some 17,000 core officers,it is the second largest Police Force in the UK,after London's Metropolitan Police Force.
iii] The Justice Committee is a committee of up to 12 appointed members of the Scottish Parliament.They are politicians with largely legal and policing backgrounds,currently led and convened by Margaret Mitchell MSP.
iv] IOCCO is a UK government appointed organization,with largely independent powers.Standing for The Interception of Communications Commission Organization,it carries out twice yearly inspections,with respect to incoming and outgoing communications data of the 14 major Police Forces,making its finding available to the UK Home Office and Judiciary.It is IOCCO who,of course,who uncovered the illegal monitoring of Newspaper sources,by Police Scotland.
Who has had ''The Knowledge'',from the start ? Arguably speculative,but two names have emerged in the case of ''Mixed messages from Police Scotland'' : ex-Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland and Director of the FBI,James Comey.
When assessing the existence of an endangered,or ''extinct'' creature,the scientific rule of thumb is to find the food source.In applying this principle,in ''this'' case,we should look for source of funding.
Where did the money come from ?
Indications suggest that,rather than ''Scottish Coffers'',funding was ''facilitated'' through Westminster,London.
It then begs the question,just how far up the ''powers of influence'',has this traveled ?
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 20, 2016 0:40:02 GMT -8
It could be acknowledged that Philip Gormley,Chief Constable of Police Scotland since only,the beginning of this year,has walked into a ''Baptism of fire'',in attempting to deal with the ''fallout'' over his senior officers' conduct over the ''Spying scandal''.
Mr.Gormley has arrived at his appointed post,with a glittering,but also controversial past.Though previously Chief Constable of Norfolk Police,prior to this,he had been in the employment of the London Metropolitan Police,where he had had responsibility for the formation of the ''fearsome'' Counter Terrorism Unit,in 2006.
The new job does not come without its compensatory trappings,however.His ''employment package'' includes free rent of a country mansion house in Ayrshire,and a salary,believed to be in the region of $400,000 a year,making him one of the highest paid public sector workers in the UK.
To home in on ''events'' of the last month :
Mr.Gormley has replied to Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell's request for ''clarification'' over DCC Richardson's claim that a decision was taken to illegally monitor Newspaper sources,through pressure brought to bear,out of a ''Live murder inquiry''.Gormley has stated that it would be imprudent of him to comment on this matter,until an ''independent'' inquiry into the whole business,arrives at its conclusions.
This ''independent'' inquiry,given to Durham Police Chief Constable Mike Burton,was requested by Mr.Gormley,himself [!].And this,following Derek Penman's ''Assurance review'' - a supposedly impartial assessment,which has yet to convince the Justice Committee of its ''independence''.Mr.Penman has stated in writing that,at the time of DCC Richardson's decision,there was no ''Live murder inquiry'',and no ''Major Investigation Unit'' operating - now contradicted by the fact that the Brenda Page re-investigation had been in existence for at least five weeks,at that time.
More recently,on August 3rd,Mr.Gormley announced that there will be a ''second'' inquiry into the Emma Caldwell murder - this one to ascertain what went wrong,in the original investigation.Given that the ''debacle'' of the first investigation has already been well documented,this would appear to be a waste of police resources and public money [?].There is perhaps,a perception at least,that though Mr.Gormley seeks to do ''The right thing'',his actions are ''mere gestures''.
After all,as Derek Penman has admitted,his ''Assurance review'' was seen first by Mr.Gormley,for ''factual accuracies'',before printed and presented to the Justice Committee.Mr.Gormley has,in effect,signed on to Penman's inference that DCC Richardson's account was ''flawed''.
As an outsider's observation,the re-investigations into the murders of Emma Caldwell and Brenda Page are actually out of Philip Gormley's hands.Although officers under his command,are involved,they have been seconded by The Lord Advocate,and are answerable to this office,for the duration of these tasks.
The Chief Constable,effectively finds himself,in the role of ''Public Relations officer,by proxy.''.
And he is struggling,in his professional capacity,to survive.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 20, 2016 10:07:01 GMT -8
What has happened to ex-Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland,and what is he up to ?
In March of this year,Frank Mulholland announced that he was stepping down in his role as Lord Advocate,and effectively,''Law Chief'' of Scotland.Having held this appointment for five years,he told the press that : ''Although it has been a real privilege,it is time to do other things.''.
Mulholland's ''associations'' with the Director of the FBI,James Comey,are well known.Particularly with regard to the Pan-Am Lockerbie case,on which both have worked closely,in attempting to bring ''expanded justice'' for the 270 victims' bereaved.
A meeting in Washington,between the two men,and touted by the press as of ''significance'',amounted to a brief,but optimistic statement,with respect to talks that had previously taken place between Mulholland and the Libyan Ambassador,in London.This,on December 21st 2014,and clearly,not actually much on offer for the ''Lockerbie'' families [?].
Interestingly,however,two months following this meeting,Mulholland announced the re-investigation into the murder of Brenda Page....and three months following this announcement,the re-investigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell.Two re-investigations that,as later would become apparent,Mulholland would himself,take charge,at the apparent omission of then Chief Constable for Police Scotland,Sir Stephen House.
Frank Mulholland has indeed,stood down as Lord Advocate,and has been replaced by James Wolffe QC.Recently announced that Mulholland would now become a High Court Judge,the appointment is [strangely] not to be made until ''later in the year'',unlike four of his legal colleagues,whose appointments became immediate.
So,what is Frank Mulholland up to,in his ''doing of other things'' ?
Presumably,tending to his garden,and assisting his wife with the weekly groceries [?].
I think not.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Sept 27, 2016 0:36:54 GMT -8
As the Police Scotland ''spying scandal'' remains hovering in the background of Holyrood politics,Margaret Mitchell MSP,continues her insistance,that the Chief Constable should be held accountable for the officially ''disclaimed'' account of DCC Richardson.
A video of CCTV footage,purportedly showing Emma Caldwell's last known movements,had been unavailable to the Justice Committee,on account of it ''suddenly'' going missing.Lo and Behold,it has ''miraculously''turned up again,purportedly found in the locker of a senior policeman.This became public knowledge,recently,through a press release,under the heading : ''Senior Policeman will not face disciplinary action over missing video.''
An independent police tribunal,recently had concluded that Gerry Gallagher,the former detective,and ''Daily Record's''whistleblower,should be compensated for the infringement of his Human Rights.Though,it could be construed that $15,000 is ''diplomatic hush money'',and mere ''loose change'',for Police Scotland [?].
What has become apparent is that Mr.Gallagher's information,that formed the basis of The Daily Record's tenth anniversary article on Miss Caldwell's murder,was eight years old [!].Indeed,The Lord Advocate's office had known about it,all along.
So,whatever the reality of precisely the reasoning,behind a decision by senior policemen,on DCC Richardson' ''watch'',to illegally monitor Newspaper sources,it undoubtedly comes under the category of ''Knee Jerk''.Whether this decision was ''Willful'',or merely ''Reckless'',has yet to be fully ascertained.
These are certainly not the best of times for Chief Constable Philip Gormley.The Justice Secretary has informed him that there will be budget cuts in Police Scotland's funding,to the tune of many millions of pounds.In addition,there are renewed calls,from various parts of the political spectrum,for a disbandment of the ''entity'' known as ''Police Scotland''.
After only three years,the amalgamation of eight regional forces,is seen as having been an ill conceived idea,from the start.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Oct 3, 2016 1:14:09 GMT -8
Last week [Sept.26th],Chief Constable Philip Gormley,replied to a letter of inquiry [Sept.7th],written by Margaret Mitchell MSP,and convener of The Justice Committee.
Extract from Margaret Mitchell's letter :
''....Police Scotland has said that it accepts the findings in Mr.Penman's review.This would amount to indirect confirmation that Police Scotland agrees that evidence as to the ''live'' status,of the murder inquiry,provided on 15th December 2015 by DCC Richardson,was not accurate.However,it would be helpful to have this expressly confirmed for the record.''.
Extract from Philip Gormley's letter of reply :
''.....following evidence provided to the Justice Committee on 15th December 2015,a complaint was made against DCC Richardson,relevant to the evidence he had provided.I consider it appropriate to advise you that,at the time referred [April 2015],the inquiry into the murder of Emma Caldwell,was not ''live''.''.
Summary :
The Justice Committee have now obtained confirmation,from ''the horse's mouth'',that the official line of Police Scotland is,that they deny DCC Richardson's claim that,the actions for which he was responsible [...illegally monitoring of Newspaper sources...],were through pressure brought to bear,out of a ''live'' murder inquiry.
At the time claimed [April 2015],the ''live'' murder inquiry of Brenda Page,was at least five weeks old.This ''live'' murder inquiry apart,Philip Gormley is ''merely'' in denial of Miss Caldwell's,for that month of April - when it is common knowledge that Miss Caldwell's ''live'' murder inquiry didn't start until May,anyway.
Has The Justice Committee provided a ''Trap Door'',for which Philip Gormley has already walked into ?
It certainly looks like it.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Oct 27, 2016 14:32:18 GMT -8
A recent press release revealed the ''work status'' of Frank Mulholland QC,former Lord Advocate of Scotland,who stood down in this role,in May of this year.
Mulholland had held the esteemed office for five years,and had informed the media,that he now planned ''to do other things''.
In a colorful tenure,Mulholland's successes included the prosecution of serial killer Angus Sinclair,for the ''World's End'' murders of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie in 1977.This,he was able to do,becoming the first prosecution lawyer to argue against the ''Double Jeopardy''ruling,and in so doing,placing Sinclair ''in the dock''to answer charges,for which he had originally been cleared.Following two days of cross-questioning from Mulholland,himself,Sinclair was found guilty,and sentenced to a minimum of 37 years for the murders of Miss Scott and Miss Eadie.
Mulholland has also successfully prosecuted serial killers,Peter Tobin,William Begg and Robert Black.
More recently,Mulholland had requested the re-investigation of the murders of Brenda Page [July 1978],and Emma Caldwell [April 2005].Two cold cases,for which Mulholland personally selected detectives,with the work of these teams,known as ''The Murder Squads'',presently ongoing.
A spokesperson for the Judicial Office of Scotland,has made the following statement,revealing that Mulholland is currently a ''Temporary Judge'',in the employment of the Scottish government :
''Judge Mulholland will not hear any criminal case,in which,by reason of his previous role as Lord Advocate and head of the prosecution service,he would require to recuse himself,nor any civil case involving the Scottish government which,given his former role as the Scottish government's principal legal adviser,he would need to recuse himself.The requirement for Judge Mulholland to recuse himself,will of course,diminish over time.''
....Some ''impressive'' legal jargon,there....but what does it actually mean [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 18, 2017 13:56:17 GMT -8
On 27th February 2015,The Lord Advocate of Scotland formerly requested that the murder of Brenda Page be re-investigated.Almost two years later,the re-investigation,by a team of detectives from Police Scotland,remains ongoing.
The 32 year-old scientist's body was found in her Aberdeen flat on 14th July 1978.Dr.Page had suffered more than 30 [thirty] blows in a frenzied attack,at her city center home.There was no evidence of sexual assault.
Her body was discovered by colleagues,when Dr.Page failed to turn up for work at the University of Aberdeen's genetics department.
It emerged that Brenda Page had been living a double life,topping up her modest salary by working as an escort.
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A few days later,The San Francisco Chronicle received a letter,postmarked 19th July 1978.The writer of this letter claimed to be The Zodiac Killer.
As is claimed,though unconfirmed,The Zodiac Killer wrote the following :
''I am ZODIAC and I am in control of all things.I am going to tell you a secret.I like friction tape.I like to have it around in case I need to truss someone up in a hurry....I have my real name on a small metallic tape.You see,while you have it in your possession,I want you to know it belongs to me and that I may have left it accidentally.I am athletic.It could be swim fins,or a piece of scuba gear.But maybe you play Chess with me ? I have several Chess sets in closets all over.I have my name on the bottom of the lid with the Scotch tape.....My tape is waiting for me all over California.Do you know me ? I am ZODIAC and I am in control.''
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 29, 2017 9:20:42 GMT -8
Pressure ratchets up a notch in the re-investigation of the murder of Emma Caldwell,as it was announced to-day,that a specialist team of detectives,from London's Metropolitan Police,have been drafted in to join the current team of detectives,lead by Detective Superintendent David McLaren.
This,following a report that the late Miss Caldwell's mother,Margaret,has sought and hired celebrity Justice Campaigning Lawyer,Aamer Anwar.
The re-investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder [April 2005],was officially requested by [then] Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland,in May 2015.
It is believed that a meeting will take place,between Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Blair,Detective Superintendent David McLaren and Aamer Anwar,this coming Thursday [February 2nd].And following this,a meeting between Mrs.Margaret Caldwell,Aamer Anwar and current Lord Advocate James Wolffe.
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Margaret Mitchell MSP and convener of Holyrood's Justice Committee,is still awaiting an independent assessment of the conduct of Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson,with regard to evidence he gave to the Committee,in December 2015.
Readers might recall that DCC Richardson claimed that a decision to [illegally] spy on Newspaper sources,was taken,through pressure brought to bear,out of a Live Murder Inquiry.His claims were subsequently refuted by senior officers,including Chief Constable Philip Gormley.
''Inferences'' by these senior officers,all point to the Emma Caldwell murder re-investigation,as a reference.And yet,it is public knowledge that,at the time DCC Richardson was referring,the re-investigation of the murder of Brenda Page,was already five weeks underway.
Chief Constable Mike Barton,of Durham Police Force,has been tasked with this independent assessment - and has,yet to report back to Chief Constable Gormley,on this matter.
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Post by Ricardo on Feb 1, 2017 2:09:23 GMT -8
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Feb 1, 2017 13:52:22 GMT -8
Good to see actual Newspaper reportage included in this thread,Ricardo.
Glasgow based ''The Daily Record'' are likely to keep tabs on The Emma Caldwell re-investigation,every step of the way.Not least,because they believe that it was their 10th anniversary article,that prompted The Lord Advocate to formerly request that the murder be re-investigated.
Strange how The Daily Record seem blind to the fact that their ''re-hashed'' information was 8 years old,and known about,by the Crown Prosecution Service,all along.When it comes to major crime,there is no office that is better informed,than that of The Lord Advocate's - who oversees all prosecution matters.
And yet,The Daily Record continue to promote ''their apparent fact'',occasionally reminding their readers of winning an award for ''Scoop of the year'' [!],for this ''most telling'' and ''historically consequential'' article.
The Brenda Page re-investigation remains ongoing,and I am about to pass on more information to the team,shortly.The re-investigation's second anniversary falls on the 27th of this month [February],and it will be interesting to see if any of the major Scottish Newspapers,take note.At the time of Frank Mulholland's formal request,he did warn about ''a long road ahead'',but had taken his decision,based on confidence that Dr.Page's murder could be solved.
Perhaps the expected independent assessment of DCC Neil Richardson's claim of ''A Live Murder Inquiry'',by Chief Constable Mike Barton,might shed more light on the Brenda Page re-investigation [?].After all,it was the only ongoing ''Live Murder Inquiry'',at that time.Though,according to senior police figures,such as Chief Constable Philip Gormley,and H.M. Inspector of Constablary Derek Penman,there was no such inquiry in existence,at the time of DCC Richardson's claim.
It would appear unlikely that these senior officers exist in a parallel universe [?].
Naturally,the ''Ponderable'' is ''why'' DCC Richardson claimed this state of affairs [?].Was DCC Richardson telling the truth ?
The re-investigation of the murder of Brenda Page,suggests that he was,indeed,telling the truth.
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Post by Ricardo on Feb 1, 2017 23:50:15 GMT -8
The contradictory statements about “A Live Murder Inquiry” raise the possibility that there is a cover-up by the police.
The police probably would not want to admit that they made any mistake.
Hopefully, the specialist team of detectives will be able to investigate without any ulterior motives.
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