Fact-Checking with the Scottish Tories
From the sublime to the ridiculous. Coming back to earth from the dopamine hit of Celebrity Feudalism was always going to be harsh, but for the Scottish Tories it’s been a bit of a crash-landing.
Kieran Andrews, the Scottish Political Editor of the Times had an ‘exclusive’ of the woes of the poor Tories under Moray Ross. After reports of multiple senior departures from the party – including Oliver Mundell leaving the frontbench team “for personal reasons”, Jon Novakovic (Ross’s chief of staff), David Bateman (director of communications), Harley Lothian (head of digital), and Rebecca Fraser (deputy chief of staff) – worse was to come.
To steady the (sinking) ship the Tories needed some fresh blood, a firm hand. Step in Craig Patterson, a man with years of experience and sure to bring some sense and stability to the Scottish Conservatives tragic chaos.
It didn’t quite work out like that. Like The Apprentice cv round it all went horribly wrong.
As Kieran Andrews reported: “A political operative who was set to become a senior aide to the leader of the Scottish Conservatives has had his job offer withdrawn after he was accused of inventing parts of his CV.
Craig Paterson was billed by Douglas Ross as having been a “senior political adviser” to Jim Murphy, the former Scottish Labour leader, in a note announcing his appointment as the party’s new head of research. However, the offer has been hurriedly withdrawn after senior Conservatives were informed that Paterson had never worked for the former Scottish secretary. Murphy has said that he had “never knowingly met this guy let alone employed him in any role, ever” while people who worked closely with Murphy separately told The Times that Paterson had not been part of the former East Renfrewshire MP’s constituency or Westminster teams.”
A Scottish Conservative source said: “The web of lies concocted by this man is incredible. He embellished a brief period at Labour into his own fairytale.” A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “We will no longer be hiring this person after new information came to light.”
Red faces all round, as the public watched the astonishing incompetence of the Conservatives on show. I mean, as Mark Nixon has pointed out “I’m just laughing that they saw he had been in that post with Murphy – you know the one who saw, as leader, Labour go from 41 seats to 1 in Scotland – and thought “hey, he’s good, let’s give him a job”.
And such is the state of Unionist politics in Scotland that you often can’t put a fag paper between them.
But there’s a twist.
As sharp-eyed James Dewar points out, the journalist who first broke the story explaining the great appointment, was, er, Kieran Andrews.
The Scottish Tories under Douglas Ross are peeling apart in the aftermath of the Johnson debacle and their on-off support for the beleaguered ex-PM. They now face further electoral carnage under the leadership of Liz Truss and many of them are heading for the exits.
We are supported only by our readers. We don't have corporate backers and we don't take advertising, so we rely entirely on your support.
Help to support independent Scottish journalism
This is worthy of a place in Private Eye’s ‘Street of Shame’ column.
Of course, Bella is an infinitely better publication than the public school educated writers of that scurrilous magazine! I suspect they will filch it from you.
Over the years, the public school educated writers of that scurrilous magazine have been responsible for bringing to light some of the greatest malfeasances of the British state. It’s not the world your from that counts. It’s what you about the world you find yourself in.
Compared to the Scottish tories,( all the tories really )“ Yes Minister ,Was a serious show”. Roll On Indy.
What is the BIG story here?
Britnat Journalist caught regurgitating Tory press release?
Scottish Tories in staffing crisis meltdown?
Scottish Tory press release found to be an Eton mess of lies?
DRossie found wanting?
All Unionist newspapers run the original story without any fact-checking basic facts?
An aide to Jim Murphy thought to be some kind of 7th cavalry—the man who ended Labour’s hegemony in Scotland.
The Unionist press running the “breaking” story in a small print paragraph on page 97?
Anything to do with Scottish Tory/Labour/Dumb parties? Anything at all.
Interesting to hear Jim Murphy deny Paterson had any involvement with his Party losing 40 of 41 seats while Jim was in charge .
Is Jim claiming all the plaudits for himself ?
I’ve decided to go on living….want tae see what happens next….
Please don’t leave us …we need you!