Scotland needs to clean up its own act

Here`s a dishonest article that implies there are no paedophile rings  or cover ups in Scotland:

While the revelations are decades too late, the disclosure of an elite paedophile ring potentially involving MP’s, ‘Lords’, entertainers, BBC employees and other members of the UK establishment may prove to be the knockout punch to any possibility of Scotland staying in the union.

Why would any Scot vote to remain part of a governing system in which such horrific crimes could be committed with impunity and legally covered up, by some of the most powerful political figures?

We are witnessing what happens when a feudal, barely democratic political system combined with a corrupt state broadcaster are allowed to function outside the law with no accountability.

http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9456-westminster-and-the-bbc-a-haven-for-child-abusers

Here`s two more articles which suggest otherwise.

Nicholas Fairbairn and Alistair Smith

THE two top Scots Tories from Margaret Thatcher’s Government were last night linked to an alleged child abuse ring. Former Kinross and Western Perthshire MP Sir Nicholas Fairbairn and former party Scottish chairman Dr Alistair Smith were named as suspects in the historic abuse of underage boys.

Senior officials in Thatcher’s Government were alleged to have attended private sex parties with underage boys and visited a notorious guesthouse.

Pearson added: "The Scottish Goverment cannot stand back from this. We know victims have been calling for action here in Scotland and so far we are the only part of the UK not holding any investigations.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/tory-child-abuse-claims-calls-3853105

Tam Paton

THE Scottish Government ignored calls from one of its own advisers to launch an investigation into a high-profile paedophile ring operating in Edinburgh. Dr Sarah Nelson revealed five years ago that she had uncovered an abuse network centred on convicted sex abuser Tam Paton, the late manager of the Bay City Rollers.

However, her demands for an inquiry were never followed up - despite compelling evidence that dozens of boys may have had their lives ruined by the twisted pop svengali and his powerful accomplices. Young runaways or children in care were lured in, drugged and then sexually abused. Many were then forced to work as 'rent boys' at a number of seedy secret flats across the Capital.

The paedophile ring is thought to have operated over several decades and to have included, at one time or another, well-known TV personalities, lawyers and police officers...

In 2009, Dr Nelson carried out a follow-up study and again came across a substantial number of Paton's alleged victims. The age of the victims indicates that Paton's crimes may have continued well into the new millenium.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/488484/Why-was-Scottish-Savile-ignored

You have to ask why the Scottish Government are so reluctant to hold any kind of inquiry into child sex abuse. Then we have the campaigner, Robert Green, a man who was imprisoned for three months and one week and who has now been under house arrest for the past fifty five days - all without a proper trial or knowing what the charges are. His only crime seems to have been that he kept pushing for an investigation into child sex abuse.

Here`s a snippet of a letter to Frank Mulholland QC, referring to Kenny MacAskill and regarding Robert Green and the Hollie Greig case - there`s still no reply from the Lord Advocate:

He claims that Hollie Greig’s case was properly investigated, and found to have no basis in fact. Yet, as you and I and thousands of others know (for I am sure that I am not the only person to have informed you of this) no investigation worthy of the name took place - unless, that is, it is normal procedure in Scotland to follow up serious allegations of long-term gang rape of a child by failing to question the named abusers, failing to seize and examine their computers, failing to admit the testimony of expert witnesses, and nonchalantly standing by while the despoliation of vital evidence is allowed to take place.

http://www.freerobertgreen.co.uk/open-letter-to-frank-mulholland-qc/

UPDATE:  It gets worse:

The Sheriff at Robert Green`s trial today (16 July 2014) threw out his challenge that the Scottish Government did not act within the limits of its judicial capacity when he was arrested and held in prison with no proper representation and without being aware of the precise charges.

A new trial is set for 21 January 2015 and the charges are still unknown but existing bail conditions remain. An interim hearing has been set for 15 December 2014, the purpose of which is not known.

See also
http://www.dunblaneexposed.info/2013/10/savile-isnt-the-only-obnoxious-paedophile-being-covered-up-by-the-system-thomas-hamilton/

http://ukgovernmentwatch.wordpress.com/nicholas-fairburn/

Beechwood Child Abuse Witness in Peterborough Prison

Three Nottingham MPs, Vernon Coaker, Lilian Greenwood and Chris Leslie

Three Nottingham MPs, Vernon Coaker, Lilian Greenwood and Chris Leslie have so far failed to respond to UK Column enquires as to their action to help Beechwood victims and protect other children from abuse. Their silence says much.  The Beechwood Children’s Home abuse witness is being held in Peterborough prison after unknown police action on Thursday, 10th July, and a secret court hearing on Friday, 11th July 2014. For the personal safety of the individual and in the wider public interest we are naming the witness as Melanie Shaw.

Article | July 14, 2014 - 5:04pm

Despite telephone calls by UK Column and members of the public to Nottinghamshire police over the weekend, we were unable to establish the precise whereabouts of Melanie. We remained concerned for her safety in light of civilian police staff claims that she was safe, without any supporting facts as to what had happened, or where she was being held. Late on Friday afternoon Melanie Shaw’s solicitor was also unaware of the police action or his clients location.

At 1127 on Monday, 14th July we received a call from a friend of Melanie who informed us that she was being held in Peterborough prison after being picked up by Nottinghamshire police on Friday and held in cells overnight. After a Court hearing the following day, for which it is still not known if Melanie had proper legal representation or the benefit of public and press attendance, she was remanded to Peterborough prison. This category B prison run by Sodexo had a reputation in 2011 for drugs, bullying and violence. As the country’s only male and female prison, it has a maximum capacity of 840 and boasts a Mother and Baby Unit for 12 mums.

Melanie’s incarceration appears to be based on allegations that she set fire to a neighbours shed - a charge which Melanie denies. Melanie has reported to the UK Column that individuals linked to her bail conditions had been harassing her in recent weeks.　

http://www.ukcolumn.org/article/melanie-shaw-beechwood-child-abuse-witness-held-peterborough-prison

Extract from whatdotheyknow

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Lilian Greenwood (Shadow Minister (Transport); Nottingham South, Labour)

Does the Home Secretary recognise that there have been allegations about historic abuse in a wide range of institutions, including the former Beechwood children’s home in Nottingham? Will she assure my constituents and those of other Nottinghamshire MPs that if they approach the overarching inquiry, their cases will receive a fair and impartial hearing and they will have access to the proper help and support they need? [No mention of Melanie Shaw, although she has been approached.]

Theresa May (The Secretary of State for the Home Department; Maidenhead, Conservative)

I think it important to recognise that the inquiry panel will not itself be able to investigate individual allegations that come forward. It will be looking at what happened in a number of settings such as residential care homes and trying to learn the lessons from that. On individual allegations against a perpetrator, those will be handed on to the police for them to investigate, which is entirely proper. We are working across Government to look at people’s ability to raise cases, the manner in which they will be able to do so, and how those cases will be passed on as appropriate, along with the support given to victims. Together with a number of other MPs, my hon. Friend Tessa Munt raised this matter with me earlier this week, and made a number of suggestions about how to take it forward.

[No recognition that whistleblowers like Melanie Shaw who approach the police can end up in prison on trumped up charges]

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-07-17a.1011.0&s=speaker%3A11420#g1015.3%20

Update 28 July 2014

Melanie is repeatedly moved in HMP Peterborough and her normal medication is withheld

At her court appearance 25 July 2014 the barrister for the Prosecution presents no evidence and no application is made for bail.

The judge asked about the evidence which was still not in his possession. The judge referred to the only evidence being a finger/palm print and pointed out that this is normally a simple matter and they must have had the evidence for them to bring charges.

The prosecution made some fumbling remarks to excuse the lack of evidence but assured it would be available shortly.

It could be October before the court case continues. So Melanie remains on remand in Peterborough until then.

See http://alicemooreuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/nottinghamshire-child-abuse-witness.html

Knowledge-based education versus transferable skills

We are informed that Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is one of the biggest changes in education for many years. The transformation in education is required because in the 21st century global economy, Scotland must operate at the cutting edge of knowledge. However, knowledge is accumulating at an ever increasing rate which means content has to be constantly updated. Now the task is to equip people to be lifelong learners. Moreover,  new knowledge brings new ethical issues to resolve. For example, in the life sciences genetic engineering can bring benefits for humanity but may also transform society in ways we do not wish. Therefore, we also need to educate citizens so society chooses wisely. So the arguments go.

A strong distinction can be made between traditional education and progressive education although the practice in particular schools may involve any kind of mix between the two types of curriculum.

TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

This is renowned for being authoritarian and hierarchical, with teachers at the head of the class giving instructions and lessons. The curriculum is divided into subject areas and there is an emphasis on memorising content. Learning the alphabet and multiplication tables by rote produces a strong foundation on which to build later learning. Knowledge is transferred to the student who is considered a passive recipient. Textbooks are used as well as pen and paper, worksheets etc. Rationality and factual evidence predominate. The accumulated wisdom of the past is transferred; relativism is frowned upon; truth is valued and there is a recognition of right and wrong. There is a product, that is, knowledge and understanding, which is assessed by objective tests. The capacity for critical thinking and meaningful innovation come at the end of a rigorous knowledge-based education. Competition is inevitable.

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

This is portrayed as being egalitarian, child-centred and relevant. There is an emphasis on transferable skills rather than knowledge. Experience and understanding are more important than facts, and so are feelings and creativity. It is the learning process that matters and so pupils must learn how to learn with the aim of being lifelong learners accepting responsibility for their own learning. This is one of the important outcomes of what is often called outcome based education. Co-operation takes precedence over competition. Learners are allowed to be active (find things out for themselves) and have fun. Pupils are grouped together so that collaboration and team work are encouraged. Decisions are made by consensus. Project work is done with multidisciplinary topics to achieve critical thinking; rote learning is frowned upon and multiple intelligences are recognised. Students use multi-sources rather than textbooks and the teacher is merely a facilitator.

Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scotland is clearly moving in the progressive direction. It may be considered by some that that is no bad thing; for too long we have lagged behind our more progressive neighbours. After all, progressive education is a global enterprise. But is abandoning knowledge based education to replace it with the idea of learning transferable skills really the way to go for the 21st century? There are some critics although few in the educational establishment.

Cognitive science points to the limits of working memory and the importance of stored information in long-term memory for critical thinking and creativity. Setting multidisciplinary tasks before pupils have acquired the relevant knowledge in each discipline overloads working memory. Problem solving cannot occur in a vacuum and it is too much to expect each pupil to discover everything for themselves. Googling for information cannot replace a solid grounding in the various disciplines.

The following blogger gives an example of the limits of working memory and how distraction in the classroom, whether through active learning (discovery) or group discussion, reduces the efficiency of learning.

http://www.guerillapolicy.org/education/2013/09/04/why-does-progressive-education-not-work/

In her blog Daisy Christodoulou writes:

In modern education, traditional knowledge often gets a bit of a hard time. Critics of knowledge-based curriculums argue that modern technology has eliminated the need for pupils to remember and memorise vast quantities of knowledge. Not only that, but the rate of modern development means that a lot of knowledge will quickly become obsolete. We need to ‘future-proof’ education by teaching transferable skills which can apply in a range of situations, not knowledge which may soon be irrelevant.

Unfortunately, as plausible as these arguments sound they aren’t backed up by the facts. Firstly, the idea that we can outsource memory to the internet is simply not true. In the words of Dan Willingham, a cognitive scientist who has published a book explaining the latest neuroscientific research for an educational audience:

Data from the last thirty years lead to a conclusion that is not scientifically challengeable: thinking well requires knowing facts…critical thinking processes such as reasoning and problem solving…are intimately intertwined with factual knowledge that is stored in long-term memory.

Skills and knowledge are bound up with each other, and any curriculum which marginalises knowledge is therefore doomed to fail.

http://thewingtoheaven.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/skills-and-knowledge/

UPDATE: Thanks to Sheila here is a link below which shows the same diagram for health and wellbeing (GIRFEC) that is being used in the video above for Curriculum for Excellence: I guess they would call that joined up working !

 http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/HWBposter_tcm4-831087.pdf

David Tombs warned the government 25 years ago

　

"A former social services official has said his warnings about the threat of a Westminster-based paedophile network were ignored because "there were too many of them over there".

"David Tombs, who ran Hereford and Worcester social services, said he warned the government after the arrest of paedophile Peter Righton in 1992. "

"Two inquiries have been launched into historical claims of child abuse. Tim Yeo MP, a junior health minister in the early 1990s, said he was "staggered" by the claims. .."

"The Government is taking the matter seriously. But this is 24-25 years later on from when I was expressing my concern."

"But Mr Yeo said he found Mr Tombs' claims "incredible".  He told the Today programme: "I think it's incredible, the idea that any remotely credible evidence had been shown to a civil servant at the Department of Health would have been ignored and received the comment that it apparently was. "

"There was no culture of child sex abuse that I was aware of either in Whitehall or in Parliament," he added. "The whole thing is extraordinary."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10963499/Warnings-of-Westminster-paedophile-network-ignored-because-there-were-too-many.html

See also http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/tory-child-abuse-whistleblower-i-3848987

Millionaire helps pregnant women flee the UK

A multi-millionaire is helping pregnant women whose babies are deemed at risk to flee the UK.

Ian Josephs has spent over £30,000 helping 200 to avoid having their newborns taken away by social services. He pays for their fares to a new life and offers them free legal advice, even paying for lawyers in some cases.

Around 50 have fled to Ireland on his money while another 150 went to France, Spain and Italy.
Forced adoption opponent Mr Josephs, who runs a language business and has a law degree, has defended his decision to fund their escape, despite many already having children in care.

He said: "Social services have moved away from giving families support and are now too quick to take children away. "I know what I do is controversial. People ask how I know the people I’ve helped don’t go on to do something wicked, but my reply is that even killers are entitled to lawyers.

"These woman are entitled to a fair chance to keep their children if they have not been convicted of any crime of cruelty and aren’t on drink or drugs."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/millionaire-helping-pregnant-women-flee-3850505#.U8MITGHgl9I.facebook

Abuse in residential and foster care

"The research by York University and the NSPCC is the first of its kind to uncover and analyse local authority records on abuse in foster and residential care."

"Academics tracked abuse allegations – and their outcomes – between 2009 and 2012. They found that on average there are between 450 and 550 cases of proven abuse every year in foster care and between 250 and 300 cases of confirmed abuse a year in residential care."

"In residential care the rate of substantiated abuse claims is significantly higher than for foster families, with an average of between two and three proven cases per 100 children. Steve McCabe, the shadow minister for Children and Families called the findings "shocking", saying that the conclusions of the report "suggests that the current level of supervision, scrutiny and inspection is woefully inadequate".

"It beggars belief that the Government can be planning to outsource even more children's services when these findings indicate that those which are already largely outsourced cannot be relied upon to provide the safe and secure environment that should be a priority for government," he added.

"While the vast majority of foster carers do an excellent job in difficult circumstances, academics found that most abuse or neglect in foster care – more than 88 per cent – is perpetrated by carers. In more than a third of these cases the child was physically harmed and a further 11 per cent were sexually abused."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/major-study-reveals-true-scale-of-abuse-of-children-living-in-care-9587244.html

Nottinghamshire Child Abuse Witness Taken By Police, Now Missing

Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Chris Eyre

A key whistleblowing witness and victim of child abuse at Nottingham Beechwood Children’s Home is effectively missing after sending a text to the UKColumn starting…"pls ring urgent, something has happened n I don’t trust the police and I may be locked up tomorrow…" Sent at 21:22 on Wednesday 9th July 2014 the UK Column has been trying to locate the witness ever since.

This witness has reported to us rape, intimidation, beatings, physical and emotional threats as just some of the abuses suffered by vulnerable young children at Beechwood, but some youngsters were also witnesses to ‘suicides’ - children ‘falling’ from upper windows. Other witnesses report that children’s bodies were hidden on the site.

Fearful for the physical safety of this highly vulnerable witness, who already alleges a police cover-up and is fearful of the police, we contacted Nottinghamshire Police via their 101 phone line.

After speaking to the civilian telephone operator and expressing grave concerns for the safety of the witness, Nottingham police were asked if the witness had been arrested and if they were safe. In a short return call the operator said that a police officer had said that the witness was safe. Unconvinced by the vague reply, we asked the name of the police officer and a shoulder number. The operator said they were unsure. They were also unsure as to whether the witness had been judged ‘safe’ at home, had been arrested and was ‘safe’ in custody, or was in a psychiatric facility.

The UK Column duly asked for clarification from a named police officer with their personal number and was promised a call from such an officer. No such call was received overnight. Our worst fear remains that the witness has been sectioned and held in a psychiatric unit in order to silence them.

http://www.ukcolumn.org/article/nottinghamshire-child-abuse-witness-taken-police-now-missing

See  http://alicemooreuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/compensation-for-beechwood-childrens.html

Legal challenge against Named Person plans launched in Edinburgh

Sir Michael Havers intervened to stop the investigation and exposure of Establishment paedophiles

Have systems been set in place for a whitewash?

 

"Sir Michael Havers was appointed as Attorney General by Margaret Thatcher in 1979, and was made Baron Havers in 1987. He intervened three times between 1981 and 1983 to stop the investigation and exposure of Establishment paedophiles, and to prevent the publication of stories which showed that Establishment figures were members of the Paedophile Information Exchange."

"Although none of this implicates Havers’ sister, Baroness Butler-Sloss, in any way, it seems at the very least deeply inappropriate to have someone heading a ‘historic’ child abuse inquiry whose own brother played such a major role in the protection of Establishment paedophiles throughout the 1980s."

Read more http://spotlightonabuse.wordpress.com/

Victims should have the biggest say in who handles the inquiries

Mr McKelvie

Following [the] announcement by Home Secretary Theresa May that there would be two public inquiries into how historical claims of child abuse were dealt with, Mr McKelvie said it was 'crucial' that victims have the biggest say on who carries out the investigations.

One of the inquiries, led by NSPCC chief Peter Wanless, is to review an investigation conducted last year into the Home Office’s handling of past child abuse allegations.

But Mr McKelvie said he was sceptical that the involvement of the NSPCC would encourage victims to come forward because it is widely seen to be the 'charity of the establishment.'

'For many many years [the NSPCC] had people like Rolf Harris and Jimmy Savile associated with the fundraising side of it,' he added.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2684262/Powerful-elite-20-establishment-figures-paedophile-ring-abused-children-decades.html#comments

`Giving Victims a Voice` is a joint report into sexual allegations against Jimmy Savile, co-authored by David Gray, Detective Superintendent MPS and Peter Watt of the NSPCC. Information about victims of Jimmy Savile came from 12 pathways one of which was the NSPCC helpline which Esther Rantzen helped set up and who was also a trustee of the NSPCC. She claims she was aware of the rumours about Savile but did nothing about it. The NSPCC say they only became aware of Savile`s offending in 2008(?)

Whatever the truth of the matter the NSPCC are useless at vetting their volunteers and some branch members are prepared to write references for child abusers.

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/our-news/child-protection-news/13-01-11-yewtree-report/yewtree-report-pdf_wdf93652.pdf

Patricia Macmillan, who was chair of NSPCC’s East Cheshire branch, defended [Stuart] Hall in a letter to the court on the grounds of his charity work.

http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/user/Peter%20Wanless/content/15513/nspcc_distances_itself_from_volunteer_supporter_of_stuart_hall

Here`s a rather strange connection between the NSPCC and Jimmy Savile. Sir Rodney Walker, formerly of the NSPCC, bought Jimmy Savile`s seaside Scarborough apartment to use as a holiday home for his family.

No wonder victims are sceptical.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jimmy-savile-scarborough-flat-bought-1787149#ixzz370i959xF