Gregory Hoare

Political Journalist based at Holyrood. All own views. RTs not endorsements.

LLM in International Human Rights Law.

[STV News @STVNews]

Ellie Wilson's rapist granted parole year after he was deemed a 'risk' to women. https://t.co/f34GsafG6p

[Representing Border @ITVBorderRB]

'Between us we’ve got in excess of 150 years of life living on this planet - six children between us'

New Health Secretary, @AConstance23 defends the Scottish Government's decision to scrap a dedicated Women's Health minister - despite concerns from campaigners.

[Kieran Andrews @KieranPAndrews]

Story here: https://t.co/3IOUGHnyQd

[ITV News Border @ITVborder]

ITV Border can reveal that the SNP will launch legal action against its former Chief Executive Peter Murrell to recover the money he stole from the party.

Full details ⬇️

https://t.co/TvVM4t6kTs

[Kieran Andrews @KieranPAndrews]

Source: “The NEC were unanimous in their position that we should seek to recover the funds stolen from us by Peter Murrell.”

Murrell’s lawyer told high court enough of his assets had been frozen by court order to allow repayment of the sum he embezzled from the party

[Gregory Hoare @GregoryHoare]

Top exclusive from @KieranPAndrews for @ITVborder @ITVBorderRB

[Kieran Andrews @KieranPAndrews]

EXC: SNP will pursue Peter Murrell for money he stole from the party

National Executive Committee last night agreed to a proposal by First Minister John Swinney to launch compensation order to try and recoup cash from Crown Office, which has proceeds of crime seizure underway

[@GinaDavidson @ginadavidsonlbc]

Staggering detail in the legal narrative at the Murrell trial this morning- a motorhome which he drove a total of 4 miles from an industrial home to his mother’s house at a cost of £31,250 a mile. Registered in his name for social purposes. Goods bought with stolen money inside.

[Oliver Wright @ITVOliver]

Absolutely devastating. And actually quite bizarre, given the vast majority of submissions to the regulator vehemently opposed the changes. What was the point in doing a consultation at all?

[Gregory Hoare @GregoryHoare]

Interesting. Nicola Sturgeon repeatedly denied her resignation as First Minister was anything to do with Operation Branchform

[Paul Hutcheon @paulhutcheon]

Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister in February 2023.

She told Laura Kuenssberg she suspected wrongdoing by her estranged husband in “early” 2023.

[BBC News (World) @BBCWorld]

Israel put on UN sexual violence in warzones blacklist for first time https://t.co/YGI3v1OjVp

[Representing Border @ITVBorderRB]

'If she says she knew nothing, then clearly the police believed her, we should believe her too.'

Kate Higgins, who worked as a special adviser to Nicola Sturgeon, defends her former boss.

She calls former SNP Chief Exec Peter Murrell 'devious'

[@GinaDavidson @ginadavidsonlbc]

A further statement has been issued by Nicola Sturgeon:

“Today the media is reporting details of items that my former husband has now admitted buying with SNP funds. I have seen questions raised about how I could not have known about this. I want to reiterate that I had no
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[Peter A Smith @PeterAdamSmith]

Response from Nicola Sturgeon posted to her social media:

“My reaction to the guilty plea tendered today by my former husband is difficult to put into words. I am angry, hurt, sad and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends and the SNP.
To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension.
To be clear: I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes. I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why. That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these are not my crimes. I was misled just as others were.
I know that there will be political discussion in light of what has happened, and I understand why. However, for me this has also been a profound personal trauma. I need to remain focussed on recovering from that and building a new phase of life. I will be making no further comment.”

[Peter A Smith @PeterAdamSmith]

NEW: The SNP’s former chief executive, and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, pleads guilty to embezzlement of more than £400k of party funds. Peter Murrell was handcuffed in court and is being held on remand to appear again on 23 June for sentencing. @itvnews

[kathryn samson @KathrynSamsonC4]

Peter Murrell arrives at court in Edinburgh. He is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the SNP. This hearing had been scheduled to take place before the Holyrood election earlier this month, but was moved until after the vote.

[Reuters @Reuters]

Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organizers said, with several hospitalized with injuries and some reporting sexual assaults, including rape https://t.co/Z4venPDNKc

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Southampton have to go into full Mea Culpa mode. Written reasons into Spygate are so damning. “Junior members of staff were put under pressure to carry out activities which they felt were, at the least, morally wrong.” Shameful. No more arrogance, no more passive-aggressive statements. Just front up.

Club rightly and widely vilified for the conduct of some within over Spygate and for the inept handling of the fall-out. Only when Tonda Eckert goes can the rebuilding of a damaged reputation begin. Only when the owner Dragan Solak addresses a fans’ forum, takes fans’ questions, and also address widespread external criticism can any trust or respect begin to return. Club cannot put CEO Phil Parsons up for interview following his misguided statement on the day of the appeal. He’s damaged.

Solak has to talk: to restore some faith amongst shocked staff; to persuade those fans thinking of not renewing season tickets or memberships to give them another chance; to give angry fans hope that their club has someone competent at the helm of a listing ship; and perhaps to dissuade some players from jumping ship.

Also, from a commercial perspective, Solak has to reassure sponsors: 19 partners, including a bank, law company and GPS-tracking company and 13 regional partners who may, understandably, worry about the damage to the club and to themselves by association. It's a long road back for Saints and it has to start with Solak leading the way. #SaintsFC

[Gregory Hoare @GregoryHoare]

Disgusting

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has released video footage on social media of himself berating detained activists from the Gaza flotilla.

The video has prompted international outrage, while the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Ben Gvir’s actions were ‘not consistent with the values of the State of Israel’

[Yvette Cooper @YvetteCooperMP]

I am truly appalled at the video posted by Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla.

This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated.

We are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support.

We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved.

[Representing Border @ITVBorderRB]

Conservative peer Lord Alister Jack says Labour should stick with Keir Starmer.

Former Scottish Secretary knows about being in the bunker when a Prime Minister's in peril, having been one of Boris Johnson's closest allies.

He says constantly changing PM is 'damaging' to UK