Investigating the Investigators

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

Despite often being attributed to Voltaire himself, it was actually Evelyn Beatrice Hall (Voltaire's Biographer) who penned these words. One line in and I digress already, that, even for me must be some kind of record. But to more serious matters....

I have to confess that David Leggat's Legoland Blog is not my first bookmark for Rangers related issues. But in true Voltaire fashion I have to say I was utterly appalled at his recent treatment at the hands of Strathclyde Police. In fact we all should be appalled – it was a full frontal assault on the principle of freedom of speech in this country.

His alleged crime ? Naming an individual who had been mentioned on twitter by someone else (without sanction I may add) as a suspect in the HMRC leaks of the Rangers Tax Case. In other words... good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander.

I thought the fundamental principle hammered into every recruit who passes through the Scottish Police College is that they would discharge their duty without fear, favour malice or ill-will towards anyone. Back to college for some methinks.

Post incident Leggo has directed much of his ire over the incident towards Strathclyde Police lawyer Duncan Campbell. I think he is barking up the wrong tree. The decision for the Police to become involved was an operational matter not one made by some lawyer employed by them to sift through employment contracts etc. Sure he may have been consulted for his legal knowledge, he may even have advised the Police, but at the end of the day the decision for the Police to become involved in what at worst amounted to a civil case of defamation( if even that), was purely an operational decision taken by a Police Officer, and probably a fairly high ranked one at that, within Strathclyde Police.

Furthermore in cases which have a considerable grey legal area, my understanding is that the Police are far more inclined to contact the on call Procurator Fiscal for advice rather than some lawyer employed by them. They are after all answerable to the Fiscal.

But it doesn't end there. For Leggo alludes to the fact that if he did not remove his blog article he was offered a nights bed and breakfast courtesy of Strathclyde Police. I thought in these days of liberty, human rights and lawyers strikes, that arrest was not the preferred option when the interests of justice could equally be served by service of a copy complaint/summons on the accused. After all Leggo did not fit the common law criteria for arrest. He was not of “no fixed abode” because Strathclyde Police, after all had come chapping at his door, nor was their an evident intention to abscond or a need to prevent a repetition of the offence. So why such heavy handed tactics to oppress freedom of speech ?

The whole incident is now of course subject of an official enquiry and I'm sure Leggo, in his own indomitable style will keep all interested parties updated.

But on the subject of Police Investigations, or perhaps lack of them in this case, I didn't share my fellow bears joy upon hearing the news that Sir David Murray had instructed his lawyers Levy McRae to petition the Crown Office to launch a criminal investigation into the leaks at HMRC during the now ill-fated Rangers Tax Case.

My initial reaction was “What ?”.

Are you telling me that a government agency which was leaking information at such an alarming rate, which allowed the beneficiaries of that information managed to hold a whole nation captive for several months, and the quantity and the quality of the leaks even allowed them to win awards, had not involved the Police to date ? That the epidemic level of breaches of the official secrets act were not reported by those in charge at HMRC ?

If not then we deserve answers as to why not.

Why has such glaring breaches of criminal law not been reported by those whose job it is to investigate ? My information is that despite an internal investigation by HMRC the perpetrator (s) of these leaks has not been identified. So in the most high profile tax case in Scottish history the investigating agency are aware of tsunami size leaks and breaches of the law within yet, to date it remains unreported as a crime ?

Why were the Police who have the power to search homes, the technology to forensically check computers, the ability to examine documents for DNA and fingerprints, the authority to access phone records, not brought in to identify the culprit ?

Forget conspiracy theories, if this matter has not been reported to the Police we are talking about professional incompetence at a level which should prove to be a catalyst for a government enquiry into the whole affair.

I must go for now....I have a letter to write to my MP.

[J_RFC87 766]

Are you telling me that a government agency which was leaking information at such an alarming rate, which allowed the beneficiaries of that information managed to hold a whole nation captive for several months, and the quantity and the quality of the leaks even allowed them to win awards, had not involved the Police to date ? That the epidemic level of breaches of the official secrets act were not reported by those in charge at HMRC ?

Nail, head.

The breaches of confidentiality prejudiced the administration process, the SPL/SFL voting and the collective opinion of the country.

Had we not had a trial by media due to illegally obtained and unconfirmed information, would we be where we are?

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Nail, head.

The breaches of confidentiality prejudiced the administration process, the SPL/SFL voting and the collective opinion of the country.

Had we not had a trial by media due to illegally obtained and unconfirmed information, would we be where we are?

Which of course as a consequence Jad had a financial impact on all of us who were shareholders in Rangers....

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,450]

I doubt anyone will be found in regards to the leaks.

It makes a mockery of the secrecy contracts that all Civil Servants sign when they're employed, whether its the job centre or hmrc, from cleaners to the head honcho

[loyalfollower 1,543]

No one will be found because the authorities choose not to find them.

I still think this was all leaked to impact on the tribunals decision. There's too many leaks and with the independence carry on its too much of a coincidence.

Westminster called for an enquiry into how Ken Bates got Leeds from administration and his paper bag jobs.

Why hasnt holyrood had one for rangers?

Im sure you all know the real answer

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

No one will be found because the authorities choose not to find them.

I still think this was all leaked to impact on the tribunals decision. There's too many leaks and with the independence carry on its too much of a coincidence.

Westminster called for an enquiry into how Ken Bates got Leeds from administration and his paper bag jobs.

Why hasnt holyrood had one for rangers?

Im sure you all know the real answer

Or they were less than thorough with their investigation as the leaks were working in their favour...

[jayzer 36]

No one will be found because the authorities choose not to find them.

I still think this was all leaked to impact on the tribunals decision. There's too many leaks and with the independence carry on its too much of a coincidence.

Westminster called for an enquiry into how Ken Bates got Leeds from administration and his paper bag jobs.

Why hasnt holyrood had one for rangers?

Im sure you all know the real answer

That is one of the reasons for a NO vote on Independence....

[will_1974 204]

We need to know the following:-

1. Has an internal investigation into the leaks been initiated
   
2. If so, by whom and what is the current status
   
3. If the investigation is complete what was discovered and what the outcomes where
   
4. Has a police investigation into the leaks been initiated
   
5. If so, who is leading the investigation and what is the current status
   
6. If the investigation is complete has anyone been charged
   

[loyalfollower 1,543]

People in England really can't believe what's went on when you explain it to them, the worst being is.they can't understand the sfa treated us the way they did, and why hmrc went after us when more money wouldve been gained from a premier league team?.

I laugh of any conspiracy about illuminate or end of the world, but this could only happen in Scotland, and we've seen posters on here with the web diagrams and.how everything's linked together.

We can only hope an investigation happens as I doubt it will and as a support and club we have to quash any false reporting on anything as no one else will help us

[elephants stoned 2,994]

Astonishing that the police were not involved much earlier at HMRC's request. This is much bigger than EBT's or sphell title wins, this has now gone firmly into UK goverment incompetance and possible collusion with anti-Loyalist or Nationalist agendas. A full and open enquiry into this sham of an investigation by HMRC must happen and no matter how big or small the people implicated, justice must be done and be seen to be done.

[Reformation Bear 6,453]

I repeat what I've said before on this forum - HMRC behaves like a department that is out of control (and it is not alone at Westminster - just look at the fiasco over the recent rail contract where it emerged the Dept for Transport had thoroughly botched its own procurement and civil servants were asked to step aside while an investigation was held). Difference here is that a botched rail contract made national headline news while leaks at HMRC about Rangers were glossed over by a media that did not want to pursue that angle.

I used to work in central civil government and when leaks become evident there are ways of working that can be adopted to track down those who leak. If HMRC was not actively and with all urgency working to track down who was leaking information, and using the police and any other authorities who could assist then they should be brought to account. So I welcome all efforts by those to bring HMRC to account not only for the leaks but to disclose in full the entire approach they took to the case including holding to account the persons in HMRC who were responsible for it.

Now the age old game is well and truly in play - delay, only answer exactly what was asked and to the minimum extent possible, be economical with the truth; fob things off into committees; provide cryptic responses just before Parliament recesses in the hope that nobody notices; bring out every excuse not to disclose information "it's not in the public interest"; "it would prejudice commercial relations...."; "there an official enquiry being planned so cannot comment...."; "it's a matter for Parliament"; "the information is confidential"; "it is too costly to pursue and we have bigger fish to fry"......you get the drift. So to get justice on this will take enough people asking the right questions persistenly and for as long as it takes for HMRC to do its job and disclose which person or persons were responsible for the leaks and to bring them to justice. HMRC must not be allowed to get away with this.

[nachothelegend 1,932]

I say take it to the top, that being Her Majesty herself.

She has shown interest in The Bank failures.

Get her told and see what she has to say about it.