Our MSP

[Mary G]

I'll simply alert people to this story in the Scotsman, without comment from me ... for now.

Campbeltown bus chief slams Mike Russell comments
http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/campbeltown-bus-chief-slams-mike-russell-comments-1-2947841

[Mary G]

The Herald also has the story:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/ ... e.21213248

[Hume]

Firstly, anyone from Campbeltown knows that the bus service will always be of far greater importance to the community than a seasonal ferry. It is an excellent service in my view.

I only read the Scotsman article but to me this just confirms why the printed press is on its last legs. No surprise from the Scotsman mind you to run an anti-SNP story - it has at least one every day.

In consecutive paragraphs they say 'he is believed to have said' and 'he said' ? What is it? Neither quote seems to be what Colin Craig has put in his letter to Mr Russell so what is Mr Russell supposed to have said? What ever it is, he said he didn't.

Did anyone hear what he said?

[WC1]

According to the For Argyll website, the Oban Times has a video of Mr Russell's full speech, though only part of it - omitting the alleged remarks - is on the newspaper's website. Maybe if they published the whole thing the truth would be firmly established either way?

[Stebyr]

According to the For Argyll website, the Oban Times has a video of Mr Russell's full speech, though only part of it - omitting the alleged remarks - is on the newspaper's website. Maybe if they published the whole thing the truth would be firmly established either way?

Why let facts get in the way of story!

[giantredwood]

I am no supporter of the SNP but this looks like a complete non-story, with some comments being twisted and deliberately taken out of context to artificially create a furore. If the comments he made are reported truthfully by the Scotsman then as far as I can tell he is speaking about the journey and the time it takes and not about the bus or the service provider.

As Stebyr so rightly comments, why let the facts get in the way of a good story.

[WC1]

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think facts are important. In this case, they're important because they either call into question our MSP's judgement in making the alleged remarks and his integrity in later denying that he did so, or they exonerate him and raise questions about how and why the allegations came to be made. Either way his electors have a right to know the truth.

[Hume]

I agree WC1, the truth is important in cases like this as people form opinions very easily, probably more easily on the negative side. That said, I wouldn't be defending anyone who it turned out had said something so Ill advised.

(ps - enjoyed your recent interview with Louise White)

My earlier post was probably driving more at what giantredwood has said - a non-story. What I was really thinking at the time and building up steam at, I chose not to mention as it would have taken the thread of topic.

[Mary G]

I've spoken to a few people who were at the event, and their unanimous view is that Mike Russell was out of order. His choice of words were embarrassing to those present and ill-advised, in their view.

It must also be said, that Colin Craig has no possible motive for contacting Mike Russell other than to highlight his inappropriate characterisation of West Coast Motors services. If Russell had been throwing compliments around there would have been no such letter from WCM to the MSP.

Also, there has been not a single vocal local who has come out in defence of Mike Russell. That is also telling, in my view.

I also find it interesting that the Oban Times has chosen to publish only an edited version of the speeches.

In aggregate, these facts tell you a lot.

[gizmo]

A politition, local or national, being misquoted, taken out of context, lying or just s***stirring, who'd a thought it.