War Against Terror
Monday, September 24, 2001
A few weeks ago service men and women in Moray were preparing for what was supposed to be a routine exercise in the Middle East. Now with the terrible events on the United States everything has changed.
Officially the ‘Swift Sword II’ exercise is going ahead as planned. However you don’t have to be a military genius to work out that our service-people may have new operations to undertake. The exercise in Oman is not far away from Afghanistan, where the chief suspect in the US attacks is believed to be hiding out.
Contingents from the Moray RAF bases are already in Oman or are making their way there at the moment. That is why I have written to the commander of the ‘Dambuster’ Squadron Dave Robertson, to wish him and his colleagues all the best. I would like to extend those wishes to Wing Commander Andy Friar and his crews who will be flying their Nimrod’s out to Oman.
At testing times like these we are reminded of the bravery of our service-personnel who train in the hope of not having to engage in combat. It looks increasingly likely that military action will follow and there are signs that I will be recalled to Westminster next week to hear the UK government’s plans.
My recent visit to RAF Strike Command during tours to RAF Brize Norton and RAF Benson gave me a great insight into the professionalism of our service people. They deserve our full support.
I and my colleagues in the Scottish National Party parliamentary group have given our full backing for solidarity with the United States and recognise that targeted military operations may be a necessity. But like most people we are anxious that great care should be taken and that any strikes shouldn’t avoid civilian casualties.
One of the great tragedies of this current situation, are the attacks on our Muslim communities. We are blessed in Moray and elsewhere in this country to have hard working people from many parts of the world who contribute immensely to our common society. There is no possible justification for discrimination or abuse against fellow citizens because of their ethnicity or religious beliefs. We need to show the terrorists that we are better than them. A good place to start is at home with the treatment of Scots Asians. As Mahatma Ghandi said “You should judge a society by the way it treats its minorities”.
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SNP highly critical of bank’s role in farm case
Tuesday, September 4, 2001
Press Release from Moray Parliamentary Office
“Extreme lack of understanding at a difficult time” – Robertson
The Scottish National Party Member of the Westminster Parliament for Moray, Angus Robertson, and the SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament, Margaret Ewing, have given their support to a local farmer and his family whose livelihood is under threat from the Clydesdale Bank. The farmer, Mr McLeod from Birnie, has like many farmers had significant cash flow difficulties in recent years and he was struggling to make payments. Following this the Clydesdale Bank called in the Sheriffs Officers to evict the McLeods. The eviction was narrowly avoided when local SNP representatives Angus Robertson MP and Margaret Ewing MSP took up the McLeod’s case.
Mr Robertson commented:
“ I am very disappointed at the extreme measures that the bank is trying to use in this case, especially given the exceptional difficulties the farming industry is facing at the present time. This is exemplified by the issuing of a second Sheriffs Officers letter after the bank had agreed to reassess the situation. This inevitably causes a great deal more anxiety for the family, who are already in some distress.
“ It is hard to see what extra benefit the bank can possibly gain by taking on the farm, given that the animals will require looking after and that the Foot and Mouth restrictions on movement make selling very difficult. The McLeods have farmed the land at Birnie for several decades and it would be heartbreaking if they were not able to continue after giving their lives to the business. Following the temporary reprieve this week I hope that a more amicable solution can be found that will allow the McLeods to continue in business and at the same time offer better value to the bank than a forced sale.
Mrs Ewing continued:
"I have worked on this case for some time; even at 4.30pm yesterday [Tuesday] I was in contact asking for a reprieve. I am pleased that our joint efforts have been effective and urge the Clydesdale Bank to take a more constructive approach to this family and the difficulties they have been facing."
Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111
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