Concern as figures reveal nearly £2Million spent on prosecution of Child abuse allegations case involving claims against First Minister's Complaints Adviser & former Lord Advocate

Campaigner Robert Green re-arrested after alleged breach of interdict obtained by ex Lord Advocate Angiolini. A LONG running case involving allegations of child abuse in Aberdeen which has now become a cyber stalking case against campaigners has so far resulted in nearly two million pounds of public funds being spent on a series of legal gaffes, Police operations, prosecutions and imprisonments of persons who have made claims against members of Scotland's legal establishment including First Minister Alex Salmond's complaints adviser & Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (nee McPhilomy)

The staggering figure, currently estimated at £1.7m by internal Crown Office sources but expected to rise substantially could have instead been used to employ 100 nurses on an average salary of around £20K.

Explanations for the massive spend of public funds on the claims & counter claims of campaigners, law firms, conspiracy theorists and activity in the courts has apparently seen large sums of taxpayers money being spent on multiple court hearings, multiple prosecutions, numerous legal teams & solicitors, legal aid, the setting up of a team at the Crown Office to specifically deal with Green and others, long term surveillance & forensic analysis teams, a special unit of former Grampian Police, now Police Scotland sent on numerous cross border trips into England to arrest 'campaigners' and confiscate items, prison bills and a rising bill from various law firms including one which itself represents First Minister Alex Salmond himself.

And a further development in this costly battle between anti abuse campaigners, and figures in Scotland's legal establishment has seen the re-arrest and detention of Robert Green from his home in England by officers from Police Scotland sometime in late February. Green was re-arrested after allegedly breaking an interdict obtained by the ex Lord Advocate during December 2013 in relation to a case reported earlier by Scottish Law Reporter

Information on Mr Green's current location & detention is difficult to obtain in terms of a clear picture, however the media has been told a bail application is to be made on Green's behalf "sometime soon".

Another individual somehow connected with the case, identified as Tim Rustige, was convicted of a campaign of harassment against ex Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini, reported by Scottish Television here: HERE. Mr Rustige is due to face court for sentencing later this month.

As the costs rise in this case, legal sources close to the Crown Office today called for the full publication of all spending on work relating to the various cases in this saga, including full records of payments to private law firms.

Crown Office insiders have also let it be known their office has received enquiries from internet providers and corporations over the authenticity of court orders outside those already used by Police Scotland and the Crown Office.The enquiries came after a law firm which cannot be named for legal reasons served papers on several internet and email companies seeking access to personal email communications.

While the documents served on the companies appear to contain signatures of Scottish judges, no official or published records of the warrants appear to exist, prompting questions of whether fabricated documents have been used to obtain access to private communications.

No one was available from the Crown Office to give an official comment.

ANGIOLINI’S BATTLE WITH ABUSE CAMPAIGN :

Scottish Law Reporter previously covered Mr Green’s release from jail after he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in Aberdeen’s Craiginches Prison for a breach of the peace, by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen. Reports on developments in the hugely expensive case also claimed Sheriff Bowen failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy).

It was also revealed the case against the anti abuse campaigner ranked as Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

Glasgow based law firm Levy McRae are well known for a ‘colourful’ list of clients, including shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell and former Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini who took on Levy McRae to sue anti abuse campaigner Robert Green. Levy McRae threatened several media outlets including law journal “The Firm” & other journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE. Levy McRae are also known to work for clients in the well known tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ties to Levy Mcrae. As details of the Hollie Greig case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill has personal links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action over the abuse case allegations. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics. The revelations of MacAskill’s links to Levy McRae, the same law firm who represented Steven Purcell, were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

Yet another job for controversial Ex Lord Advocate Angiolini, now named as new Chancellor of University of West of Scotland

Ex Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini named as new UWS Chancellor also received a £28k golden goodbye on top of a slew of jobs since leaving Crown Office FORMER Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini (nee McPhilomy) recently back in the news for launching a legal action to silence the well known anti-abuse campaigner & journalist Robert Green, over claims made in the case of alleged abuse victim Hollie Greig, has now been named as the new Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). The latest job for Angiolini comes after the ex Law Chief scooped up a number of lucrative positions such as babysitting Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond as his personally appointed Ministerial complaints adviser and also being to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford (wow, how many jobs, salaries & expenses claims can one person hold down ! –Ed)

The Press Release from the University states : Dame Elish Angiolini Named as New Chancellor of UWS

One more for the pot of many jobs ? Angiolini named as Chancellor of UWS University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has announced the appointment of Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC as its new Chancellor. Dame Elish, who will be formally installed as Chancellor of the University at a ceremony later this year, will represent the University at the highest level and hold formal powers to confer degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions.

Dame Elish replaces Lord Smith of Kelvin Kt who has held the post of Chancellor of UWS since October 2003. Lord Smith, a highly respected figure in the Scottish business sector, steps down from this role at UWS this summer at the end of the current academic year. He has held a range of prominent posts in the commercial and financial arenas and is currently Chairman of the Weir Group, Scottish and Southern Energy, Green Investment Bank and the organising committee of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The appointment of Dame Elish as Chancellor was made by the University’s governing body, University Court at a meeting on 5 February 2013. This five year appointment will see Dame Elish acting as an ambassador for UWS and as part of this role she will confer awards at the University’s graduation ceremonies.

Dame Elish, who is Principal of St Hugh's College, University of Oxford, is one of Scotland's most senior lawyers and has extensive experience of public administrative, criminal and civil law as well as Public Inquiries and Fatal Accident Inquiries.

She is the former Lord Advocate of Scotland – the highest law officer in the Scottish legal system. Prior to this she was Solicitor General for Scotland. Dame Elish was the first woman and the first solicitor in the modern era to hold either position. In 2008 Dame Elish created another legal first when she and Frank Mulholland QC, the then Solicitor General, were admitted as members of the Faculty of Advocates.

As Solicitor General for Scotland (2001–06) and then as Lord Advocate (2006–11), Dame Elish was instrumental in reforming the operation of the justice system in Scotland, in particular making it more responsive to the victims of crime.

In addition, Dame Elish, who is renowned for her championing of equality and dignity in the justice system, supervised some of the most significant prosecutions in Scotland in the last decade, and acted as the Scottish Government’s legal advisor during a period of major change.

She was awarded the DBE for services to the administration of justice in the Queen’s birthday honours in 2011. In the same year, she was granted a Special Achievement Award by the International Association of Prosecutors.

Commenting on her appointment as Chancellor of the University, Dame Elish said: “UWS plays a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of Scotland and I am truly honoured to accept the position of Chancellor of the University.Universities perform a hugely important role in society and I very much look forward to being involved with the activities of UWS.”

Professor Seamus McDaid CBE, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dame Elish as the University’s new Chancellor. She has demonstrated a great capacity for achieving excellence throughout her professional career and, indeed, her work embodies many of the core values of this institution. She will be a first class ambassador for University of the West of Scotland.”

Commenting on the retiral of Lord Smith, Professor McDaid added: “Over the last ten years as Chancellor he has been unstinting in his support of UWS and on behalf of the entire University community I would like to thank him for his time at UWS and wish him continued success for the future.”

Richard Blackburn, Chair of University Court, said: “We are extremely pleased to appoint someone of Elish’s calibre to succeed Lord Smith of Kelvin. She is a great supporter of higher education and has shown throughout her career a commitment to making a significant contribution to society through her work.”

ANGIOLINI’S BATTLE WITH ABUSE CAMPAIGN :

Scottish Law Reporter recently covered Mr Green’s release from jail after he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in Aberdeen’s Craiginches Prison for a breach of the peace, by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen. Reports on developments in the hugely expensive case also claimed Sheriff Bowen failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy).

It was also revealed the case against the anti abuse campaigner ranked as Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Levy McRae to go after anti abuse campaigner. Levy McRae are well known for a ‘colourful’ list of clients, including shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell and former Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini who took on Levy McRae to sue anti abuse campaigner Robert Green. Levy McRae proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE. Levy McRae are also known to work for clients in the well known tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ties to Levy Mcrae. As details of the Hollie Greig case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill has personal links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action over the abuse case allegations. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics. The revelations of MacAskill’s links to Levy McRae, the same law firm who represented Steven Purcell, were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

Aberdeen abuse probe cover-up haunts Scots authorities as Highlands cottage of accused child abuser Jimmy Savile daubed with pleas for “Justice for Hollie Greig”

Justice for Hollie Greig slogans on Savile cottage have curiously not featured in national media coverage A cottage situated in Glencoe the Scottish Highlands which belonged to the deceased BBC celebrity Sir Jimmy Savile OBE KCSG who is now accused of hundreds of acts of child abuse, has been vandalised for a second time, with the words “Justice for Hollie Greig” painted in orange along its exterior walls.

However, while earlier graffiti painted on the cottage was pictured in the national media, consisting of masonic symbols and slogans of “Jimmy the Beast”, campaigners have today pointed out to Scottish Law Reporter that all further reports on vandalism at the cottage, where it is alleged abuse took place, have refrained from any mention of graffiti mentioning the Hollie Greig case, which saw a journalist & campaigner jailed for handing out leaflets calling for an inquiry into allegations of abuse against downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig, and the existence of a paedophile group in the Aberdeen area.

Scottish Law Reporter covered journalist & anti-abuse campaigner Robert Green’s release from jail after he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in Aberdeen’s Craiginches Prison for committing e breach of the peace, by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen. Reports on developments in the hugely expensive case also claimed Sheriff Bowen failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy).

It was also revealed the case against the anti abuse campaigner ranked as Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Levy McRae to go after anti abuse campaigner. Levy McRae are well known for a ‘colourful’ list of clients, including shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell and former Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini who took on Levy McRae to sue anti abuse campaigner Robert Green. Levy McRae proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE. Levy McRae are also known to work for clients in the well known tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ties to Levy Mcrae. As details of the Hollie Greig case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill has personal links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action over the abuse case allegations. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics. The revelations of MacAskill’s links to Levy McRae, the same law firm who represented Steven Purcell, were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

Anti-Abuse campaigner & journalist Robert Green speaks in interview on Hollie Greig abuse scandal cover-up

THE well known anti-abuse campaigner & Journalist, Robert Green, who was jailed for handing out leaflets in Aberdeen calling for an inquiry into allegations of abuse against downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig, has recently been interviewed by the UK Column, featured here :

Scottish Law Reporter covered Mr Green’s release from jail after he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in Aberdeen’s Craiginches Prison for committing e breach of the peace, by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen. Reports on developments in the hugely expensive case also claimed Sheriff Bowen failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy).

It was also revealed the case against the anti abuse campaigner ranked as Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Levy McRae to go after anti abuse campaigner. Levy McRae are well known for a ‘colourful’ list of clients, including shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell and former Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini who took on Levy McRae to sue anti abuse campaigner Robert Green. Levy McRae proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE. Levy McRae are also known to work for clients in the well known tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ties to Levy Mcrae. As details of the Hollie Greig case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill has personal links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action over the abuse case allegations. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics. The revelations of MacAskill’s links to Levy McRae, the same law firm who represented Steven Purcell, were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

The Lord Advocate’s SECRET SLUSH FUND : Crown Office have used secret cash to ‘make payoffs’ & ‘cover up’ criminal, civil cases involving staff

Evidence emerges of a secret slush fund at Lord Advocate’s Crown Office. SCOTLAND’S Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has today been accused of operating a secret, unaudited “slush fund of public money” used to pay for legal advice, and private legal representation for its own members of staff who have been charged with criminal offences or who have become involved in civil legal disputes.

The fund, which legal insiders claim is buried deep in the budget for the Crown Office, is rumoured to have paid out millions of pounds over its existence in cases involving its own staff. There are also suggestions the fund has been used to PAY-OFF ‘media friendly’ law firms to keep headlines involving criminal charges against COPFS staff out of the press and that the fund may have been used “to purchase testimony” from witnesses”.

The claims come after the Crown Office refused to respond to Freedom of Information requests made by journalists investigating leaks that “a substantial fund which is not subject to external audit or accountability”, is maintained by prosecutors to pay huge sums relating to legal costs of their colleagues caught up in scandals, criminal charges and civil legal actions.

Legal insiders claim the fund, which is bankrolled by the Scottish Government, has been operating on an almost “cash-in-hand basis” with several high profile law firms receiving large sums of money for representing Crown Office personnel up to the most senior rank in the organisation.

Documents passed to Scottish Law Reporter show that journalists used FOI laws in June of this year to ask COPFS officials “Are there any arrangements for former Crown Office staff to continue to receive payment of public funds, respective legal advice, action or representation of issues or cases in which they were personally involved in prior to leaving COPFS, and if so, how many such cases have occurred since 2009, how many continue to this date, and how much has been paid in relation to the cases.”

It then took the Crown Office OVER TWO MONTHS to reply, after a series of secret internal discussions concluded the information should not be handed over, out of fears it would reveal significant sums of public money had been handed over by the Lord Advocate’s staff to law firms without any accounting of fees or questions as to the level of charges, which in some cases have skyrocketed past six figure sums.

Gertie Wallace, of the Crown Office ‘Policy Division’ replied to journalists, applying exemptions under Section 35(1)(b) and 35(1)(c) of FOISA to all of the information requested. Gertie Wallace then went onto state : “I consider that the release of the information would substantially prejudice the apprehension and prosecution of offenders and the administration of justice.”

“I am satisfied that in all the circumstances there are compelling reasons that the public interest in disclosing is not outweighed by the public interest in not disclosing the information. I consider the public interest is best served by applying the exemptions under section 35(1) (b) and (c) in this particular instance. “

The Crown Office also refused to disclose the detailed reasons for refusing to disclose the information, citing live criminal proceedings against its own staff.

Wallace went onto say : “I cannot provide you with the detailed reason for this decision because to do so would in itself disclose information which is exempt under this section and also under section 26(c) of FOISA in light of live criminal proceedings which are subject to the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Section 26(c) is an absolute exemption and not subject to the public interest test.”

Following the refusal to disclose, journalists then asked the Crown Office to review their decision, and in response, David Harvie, the Director of Serious Casework concluded the information on how much public money was being lavished on legal fees for staff should not be handed over.

The full details of the FOI battle to reveal taxpayers cash being spent on Crown Office staff and their dealings with law firms can be viewed HERE

Speaking to Scottish Law Reporter earlier today, a solicitor from a well known law firm expressed dismay at the Crown Office refusal to release the information.

The solicitor went onto say that it was well known in legal circles, there is a small exclusive club of law firms who are being paid substantial sums by the Crown Office for work involving their own staff.

He said that in one case he knew of involving criminal charges arising out of drink driving offences, the Crown Office handed over TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS to a law firm who were defending a senior Crown Office staffer in a case that had dragged on unnecessarily for many months, even attracting criticism from a Sheriff.

He also backed media attempts to reveal how much public money is being spent by the Crown Office on law firms and their staff involved in cases.

SLUSH FUND IN ACTION ?

Questions remain over who paid for lawyers working for Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in battle against anti-abuse campaigner. One case which has brought the issue of this secret fund into focus is that of a case involving legal action taken by the previous Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (born McPhilomy) over a campaign asking for an investigation into abuse against vulnerable people in the Aberdeen area, and allegations of a paedophile gang rumoured to contain members of Scotland’s judiciary.

Groups of law journalists and media publications had sought to use Freedom of Information laws to establish whether the Crown Office did pay for legal representation of Dame Angiolini (born McPhilomy)in the case of Robert Green, a journalist & anti-abuse campaigner who was jailed for six months on a breach of the peace charge, at a cost to taxpayers of around ONE MILLION POUNDS after he was found guilty of handing out leaflets asking for an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against a downs syndrome victim, Hollie Greig.

The Crown Office refused to disclose any information in response to FOI requests involving Angiolini, and in some cases, enacted a media boycott of certain publications in retaliation for publishing material and allegations connected with the case involving Angiolini

The law firm involved in representing Dame Angiolini (born McPhilomy) was LEVY MCRAE of Glasgow, who also represented the shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell. Partners at Levy McRae have recently been caught up in bitter court fights over personal actions, while others at the firm are known to work for the Cayman Islands tax dodge haven, where some of the world’s biggest drugs gangs, terror groups and mobsters are known to keep their money from state tax authorities. It is also known that Levy McRae have personal ties to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who used to work at the firm, reported by SLR, HERE

Ex Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in abuse ‘harassment’ claim clears Alex Salmond over Bute House party with SNP donor Euromillions lotto winners

Lotto for Blotto : Ex Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini clears Alex Salmond ALEX SALMOND, Scotland’s First Minister has been cleared of any wrongdoing in hosting events at Bute House which included meetings with Scots Euromillions Lotto winners Colin & Chris Weir who have stated they will donate substantial sums to the SNP’s independence referendum. The report, written by one of Mr Salmond’s very own Ministerial Complaints Advisers who he personally appointed and referred himself to, former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (born McPhilomy) states no public funds were used in the party at Bute House and no Ministerial rules had been breached in relation to complaints made by Scottish Labour MSP Paul Martin.

The report by Dame Elish Angiolini which can be read online here : Dame Elish Angiolini's report into FM Weir complaint clears Mr Salmond, who personally appointed Angiolini as Ministerial Complaints Adviser along with another former Lord Advocate Lord Fraser of Carmyllie who was once charged in connection with an air rage incident onboard an aircraft and who recently cleared Mr Salmond of another complaint involving an honour for another SNP donor, Brian Souter 

Mr Salmond, pleased with Dame Angiolini’s report went on to thank the former Lord Advocate who recently began court action to silence the claims of Robert Green, an investigative  journalist who was jailed for a year after handing out a handful of leaflets campaigning for an inquiry into the case of Hollie Greig, a downs syndrome victim who reported allegations of historical abuse to Grampian Police she was the victim of a paedophile gang in Aberdeen.

Dame Angiolini, the former Lord Advocate, who Mr Salmond said he was “grateful to … for their diligence and thoroughness in carrying out reviews such as this” has previously threatened legal action against Scots law publications such as “The Firm” for reporting on the Hollie Greig case and the abuse claims, which centre on figures in the legal world from Aberdeen around ten years ago. Journalists at several Scottish newspapers have also admitted lawyers acting for the Lord Advocate made “veiled threats” against publication of the abuse victim’s allegations.

Moves reported by Scottish Law Reporter earlier this week regarding the former Lord Advocate’s latest attempts to silence claims over the Hollie Greig case show that Dame Elish is trying to use anti-stalking laws she supported the introduction of, to silence the campaigning journalist and block any attempts by Mr Green to contact her. The documents, published now as a matter of public record also name a number of websites which it is claimed are linked to the campaign to out alleged child abusers. The Court interlocutor, which is a public document, can be viewed and downloaded here : Interlocutor Elish Angiolini v Robert Green re Hollie Greig case

While the former Lord Advocate is being represented by Balfour & Manson, she has curiously given her home address in the documents as the Glasgow law firm of LEVY MCRAE who number among their other clients, shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell. The law firm also works for clients in the tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Scottish Government Press Release on First Minister’s relief of being cleared by himself:

Independent report clears FM in Bute House complaint

The First Minister did not breach the Scottish Ministerial Code by welcoming personal guests to Bute House, an independent report into a complaint made by Paul Martin MSP has concluded.

Mr Martin alleged that the use of Bute House, the First Minister’s official residence, to host a private meeting between the First Minister and Colin and Chris Weir in September 2011 had been a breach of paragraph 7 of the Code.

The Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC – an independent adviser to the Scottish Government on the Ministerial Code – has found there was no breach of the code during this meeting and there was no prima facie evidence which might have formed the basis of a stateable complaint under the Code.

In her report, Dame Elish refers to paragraph 7.2 of the code, which explicitly permits the use of Bute House by ministers to host personal or party events, provided that no cost falls on the public purse - finding that no public resources had been used in this case.

Dame Elish Angiolini’s report says:  “Bute House is the designated official residence of the First Minister.  The visit to Bute House was of a personal/party nature.  Any such visit is expressly permitted by the Scottish Ministerial Code provided no resources are used from the public purse.  The tea and biscuits were provided from the First Minister’s private resources stored in his apartment at Bute House. “As paragraph 7.2 gives explicit permission to host personal or party events at Bute House, provided such events are not resourced from the public purse, the nature and substance of any discussions which took place are not relevant to the Code. The First Minister has nonetheless indicated that there was no discussion about money or donations and confirmed that the visit took place in private with only the First Minister in attendance.”

The report concludes: “There has been no breach of the Scottish Ministerial Code and no prima facie evidence forming the basis of a stateable complaint under the Code.”

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “I would like to thank Dame Elish for her typically balanced and clear report, the findings of which clearly demonstrate that there was no impropriety whatsoever at this private meeting in Bute House.  I welcome the report and I am sure that Mr Martin will also be reassured by Dame Elish’s conclusions, which demonstrate that I acted entirely in accordance with the Scottish Ministerial Code. This will be the fifth complaint to be referred to the independent panel of advisers I introduced in 2008 to rule on these matters.  I am delighted that each complaint has been dismissed and the advisers concluded my ministers and I have acted entirely properly.

Mr Samond went on, unable to resist adding to his lengthy statement : “I remain grateful to Dame Elish and to the Rt Hon Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC - as well as their predecessors, Lord Steel and the Rt Hon George Reid - for their diligence and thoroughness in carrying out reviews such as this.”

A political commentator said he was not surprised the former Lord Advocate cleared the First Minister. He said : “This is why we have Ministerial complaints advisers – to clear Ministers of all complaints.”

ANGIOLINI’S BATTLE WITH ABUSE CAMPAIGN :

Scottish Law Reporter recently covered Mr Green’s release from jail after he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in Aberdeen’s Craiginches Prison for a breach of the peace, by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen. Reports on developments in the hugely expensive case also claimed Sheriff Bowen failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy).

It was also revealed the case against the anti abuse campaigner ranked as Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Levy McRae to go after anti abuse campaigner. Levy McRae are well known for a ‘colourful’ list of clients, including shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell and former Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini who took on Levy McRae to sue anti abuse campaigner Robert Green. Levy McRae proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE. Levy McRae are also known to work for clients in the well known tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ties to Levy Mcrae. As details of the Hollie Greig case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill has personal links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action over the abuse case allegations. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics. The revelations of MacAskill’s links to Levy McRae, the same law firm who represented Steven Purcell, were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

Former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini demands court order to silence anti-abuse campaigner & journalist Robert Green over Hollie Greig case claims

Former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in new court bid to silence campaigning journalist Robert Green over abuse allegations. COURT PAPERS now released as public documents reveal the former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (born McPhilomy) via the Edinburgh law firm of BALFOUR & MANSON, is seeking a ‘non-harassment order’ against anti abuse campaigner & journalist Robert Green, who has been campaigning for answers in the case of Hollie Greig, a downs syndrome victim who has alleged she was abused by several individuals in the Aberdeen area.

Dame Elish is said to be using anti-stalking laws she supported the introduction of, to silence claims in the case and block any attempts by Mr Green to contact her. The documents also name a number of websites which it is claimed are linked to the campaign to out alleged child abusers. The Court interlocutor, which is a public document, can be viewed and downloaded here : Interlocutor Elish Angiolini v Robert Green re Hollie Greig case

While the former Lord Advocate is being represented by Balfour & Manson, she has curiously given her home address in the documents as the Glasgow law firm of LEVY MCRAE who number among their other clients, shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell. The law firm also works for clients in the tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Levy McRae also featured in a recent report where one of it’s other partners, Legal Defence Union boss Bill Macreath (60) of Troon, is facing accusations of professional misconduct & inadequate service as a result of a Law Society of Scotland investigation. Senior partner Peter Watson of Levy McRae has today given comment in a story appearing in the Herald newspaper on the latest court moves by Angiolini, which is reprinted below.

Approached for more details on the case earlier, a Scottish Court Service insider said he was under the impression Balfour & Manson are taking instructions from Levy & McRae on behalf of Elish Angiolini.

Scottish Law Reporter recently covered Mr Green’s release from jail after he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in Aberdeen’s Craiginches Prison for a breach of the peace, by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen. Reports on developments in the hugely expensive case also claimed Sheriff Bowen failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy).

It was also revealed the case against the anti abuse campaigner ranked as Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford..

Legal insiders have today warned if Dame Elish is successful in court, it could mark the start of such orders being used to attack free speech, and also prevent or hamper journalists conducting investigations into scandals, in turn blocking their exposure in the media.

One journalist speaking to Scottish Law Reporter said : “Public figures who accept public roles and seek to influence public life, and who receive large sums of public money and accept honours & titles are not above accountability, the law or public criticism.”

The Herald reports :

Dame Elish in court bid to stop web 'harassment'

David Leask
Investigations Reporter

Former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini is seeking a non-harassment order against a man who claims she covered up an "establishment paedophile ring".

Dame Elish sought court protection against Robert Green, a self-styled "investigator" jailed earlier this year for naming prominent Scots as child rapists. She is using laws she championed for the victims of harassment and aims to bar Green from approaching or contacting her in any way. Her action is the latest result of a series of unsubstantiated child sex abuse allegations made by Hollie Greig, a young Aberdeen women with Down's Syndrome, more than a decade ago.

Dame Elish is understood to hope a non-harassment order would prevent Green, who acts as Ms Greig's "lay legal adviser", using the internet to claim she covered up for a paedophile ring said to include a sheriff, a senior police officer and other prominent Aberdonians.

The former Lord Advocate's solicitor, Peter Watson of Levy & McRae, last night said: "We are seeking an order to prevent Mr Green doing anything which would amount to harassment." Dame Elish, the prinicipal of St Hughes College, Oxford, is taking the action amid heightened concern about the behaviour of "online trolls" and cyberbullies – those who use the internet to defame or intimidate others.

Her name has been widely linked on the internet to Green and Ms Greig's claims, despite two police investigations failing to find evidence of wrongdoing. Dame Elish and others are said to be deeply hurt by an online campaign, partly linked to Green, that have made the Hollie Greig conspiracy theory an international internet sensation. Campaigners who call themselves "Hollie's Army" have bombarded the Crown Office, the Scottish Government and MSPs with calls and emails complaining about Dame Elish.

Some websites have previously named those Green and others believe were victims of the supposed Aberdeen paedophile ring – as well as those they believe were abusers. Websites have also claimed that Ms Greig's uncle – who died in a car crash in 1997 – was murdered after he witnessed her abuse and that her mother was "forcibly" sectioned days after the first allegations were made.

Green was released last month after serving three months of a year-long sentence.

The former travel agent, who is 65 and from Warrington in Cheshire, was jailed after what he believes to be the most expensive breach of the peace trial in Scottish legal history. He was convicted of breaching the peace by naming members of the supposed paedophile ring and of breaching bail conditions barring him from travelling to the north-east of Scotland.

Last night Green, who is electronically tagged under the terms of his early release, said he would contest the non-harassment order. He said: "If I don't get legal aid I will represent myself if Dame Elish is prepared to do so too. I would love to go up against her in court even though she is much more qualified than I am." Green denies claims by Dame Elish's lawyers that he has taken pictures of the former Lord Advocate's home.

He also says he does not know who runs a website called "Free Robert Green" which repeats some of the unsubstantiated allegations against Dame Elish. Green is barred from approaching witnesses from his trial by a series of non-harassment orders granted by the sheriff overseeing the case.

However, Dame Elish did not give evidence and has now turned to the civil courts to obtain protection. Green faces criminal sanctions if he breaches any non-harassment order granted by the courts.

The "investigator", who always stresses Ms Greig received criminal injury compensation as a probable victim of sexual abuse, committed his breach of the peace while campaigning in the 2010 Westminster elections. He is thought to be the only candidate to ever run in a constituency – Aberdeen South – which he was legally barred from entering. Green stood for a party called Scotland Against Crooked Lawyers. The "Hollie" case split the party, which subsequently disbanded.

BIG NAMES, BIG SHAME, AND LEVY MCRAE

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Levy McRae to go after anti abuse campaigner. Levy McRae are well known for a ‘colourful’ list of clients, including shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell and former Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini who took on Levy McRae to sue anti abuse campaigner Robert Green. Levy McRae proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE. Levy McRae are also known to work for clients in the well known tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ties to Levy Mcrae. As details of the Hollie Greig case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill has personal links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action over the abuse case allegations. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics. The revelations of MacAskill’s links to Levy McRae, the same law firm who represented Steven Purcell, were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

Freedom for jailed Journalist & anti-abuse campaigner Robert Green as courts apply heavy restrictions to cover up further abuse investigations

Robert Green, journalist & anti abuse campaigner has been freed. Robert Green, the journalist & anti-abuse campaigner who was jailed by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen for handing out leaflets asking for an inquiry into historical allegations of abuse made by downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig, has been freed from Craiginches Prison, Aberdeen on May 17 2012. A message on the Free Robert Green website reported “Robert Green was freed earlier than expected at 07:40 this morning, and following a brief time with his supporters caught the 8:22 train to take him South of the Border.”

The stiff sentence of ONE YEAR for a breach of the peace, issued by Sheriff Bowen, who, it is claimed, failed to declare relationships with key figures central to the case which included the now former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (née McPhilomy) ended Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial which saw a record HALF A MILLION POUNDS spent on the investigation & trial of Mr Green, a case which tunnelled through the Scottish Courts system for over two years at huge cost to taxpayers.

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig. Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford..

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Cayman Islands hopping lawyers from Glasgow. Reporting on the background of the case, Robert Green was arrested by Police on 12th February 2010 in relation to a breach of the peace alleged to have been committed in Aberdeen when Mr Green attempted to hand out leaflets regarding the anti-abuse campaign. It was also revealed the then Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini had employed private law firm Levy McRae to serve interdicts on Mr Green in connection with his campaign to ‘out’ alleged abusers of downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig. Glasgow law firm Levy McRae who later represented shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell, proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE

It has since emerged there have been heavy restrictions placed by Scottish authorities on Mr Green’s daily life including a ban on any further campaigning for Hollie Greig.

More developments in the Hollie Greig case can be found at http://www.holliedemandsjustice.org/

Elish McPhilomy Angiolini’s Magic Circle : Crown Office ‘ruined’ Operation Planet to avoid jailing judges & prosecutors in Scots 'gay justice' scandal

Former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini’s role in Magic Circle report now under spotlight THE role of Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (born McPhilomy) in OPERATION PLANET, the 1990’s drive by Lothian & Borders Police to investigate, capture & convict some of the top personalities in Scotland’s legal world who were involved in conspiracies to commit sexual offences with other men and under age boys has resurfaced in the media amid scrutiny over the failure of the Crown Office to prosecute anyone in connection with abuse claims made by vulnerable children in the Aberdeen area, and claims some of Scotland’s current judges along with high profile members of the Faculty of Advocates & solicitors are concerned they are about to be exposed all over again in revelations over the arrest of a seedy lawyer alleged to be smuggling drugs into Scottish prisons who was also a central character in the original Magic Circle gay sex for judges scandal in the late 1980’s & early 1990’s.

Legal insiders, now aware of the recurring media interest in the scandal aim to lift the lid on just why several of Scotland’s most senior judges & law officers escaped prosecution for a series of activities which included “drugging young males”, “kidnapping young male residents of care homes for sexual activity” and “perverting the course of justice”.

Senior judges, prosecutors and solicitors, some of whom are still serving in Scotland’s legal establishment today were accused by Police of running a child sex ring for their own pleasure. However, no one from the legal world ever faced justice for their activities, partly because attempts at prosecuting many of those involved failed, after what Police insiders claimed at the time was a deliberate policy by the Crown Office to throw the cases. Only one high profile resignation was ever reported, that of the then Lord Dervaird, who is now a high profile member of the Scottish Government backed Scottish Arbitration Centre.

A recent closer inspection of some of those working at the Crown Office at the time of the Magic Circle affair, reveals some well known celebrities of Scotland’s legal world, revealed in reports in the UK Column : “Towards the end of March 1991 – and as a direct consequence of ‘Operation Planet’, and prosecutions relating to acts of sodomy upon teenage boys – an internal study paper was produced by The Crown Office that sought to establish a rationale for, and the extent to which, the protections offered by Common Law could be circumvented, and statute law ignored. The author of that paper was the (then) Senior Legal Assistant at The Crown Office, Elish McPhilomy (now Elish Angiolini).”

Nimmo Smith QC’s REPORT ON MAGIC CIRCLE GAY JUSTICE SCANDAL, widely regarded by many as a whitewash of the corruption in the Scottish judiciary, identifies Dame Elish Angiolini who worked at the Crown Office at the time as a Senior Legal Assistant, under her maiden mane of Elish McPhilomy. It was clear from subsequent discussions, the report played a heavy part in formulating Crown Office policy on the prosecution of judges, lawyers & other members of the legal profession who were engaging in the illegal sex acts with other men & under age boys.

Nimmo Smith’s report (pages 16 & 17 ) states : “At about the end of March 1991 Elish McPhilomy, the then Senior Legal Assistant at the Crown Office, was asked to prepare a background paper on the prosecution of consensual homosexual offences. Her paper concluded that if a policy direction was considered to be appropriate and necessary with regard to homosexual offences, some consideration might be given to the following aspects:

1) The minimum age for homosexual relations. 2) The need for preventive prosecution directed at the male trade in prostitution with use of section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Ac t 1982. 3) The restriction of prosecution of the client or older man to those situations demonstrating in particular a clear breach of trust, or the overcoming of will by drugs, threats etc. 4) The treatment of homosexual and heterosexual acts of indecency on an equivalent basis. 5) The use of statutory provisions rather than common law charges wherever possible.”

Given Dame Elish Angiolini’s role in the online debate over the Crown Office refusal to prosecute senior members of the legal establishment who are alleged to be implicated in the abuse of vulnerable children across Scotland, and particularly in the long running case of downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig , the UK Column have published an excellent report on Operation Planet and its recurring effect today in what must be one of Scotland’s most shocking uses of the justice system against an abuse victim, her family and their campaigner Robert Green, who was recently jailed for a year, simply for handing out leaflets on the case.

Scottish Law Reporter recently published an investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government. Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. More recently, Dame Elish Angiolini was also appointed to the post of Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

It should be noted “Operation Planet” was initially opened as “Operation Uranus” by Lothian & Borders Police although the name was changed to the former, more discreet title than the latter, apparently after complaints from … the Crown Office.

The UK Column’s report : Operation Planet, Abuse of Justice & The Crown Office Of Scotland

On the 29th April 1991 a meeting was held between Lord Fraser (the Lord Advocate), Lord Roger (the Solicitor General), Duncan Lowe (the Crown Agent), Alfred Vannet (the Deputy Crown Agent) and persons unknown, to discuss a report written by Elish McPhilomy (now Dame Elish Angiolini), that sought to establish a rationale for, and the extent to which, the protections offered by Common Law could be circumvented, and statute law ignored.

Article | March 13, 2012 - 1:47pm | By Tony Shell

‘Operation Planet’, Edinburgh

On the 24th March 1990 the Edinburgh Police launched ‘Operation Planet’. That police initiative followed the discovery of a 16-year-old boy in a house in the city centre who, over a period of 10 days, had been plied with cannabis and repeatedly sodomised by a number of men. The boy had been on weekend leave from a local children’s home. Evidence uncovered in subsequent police enquiries indicated the men were also engaged in homosexual ‘rent boy’ activities, and were linked to a ‘network’ of older men.

The ‘Operation Planet’ Court Case and Judgments

By the time the ‘Operation Planet’ case was brought before court, a total of 10 men had been arrested, on a total of 57 charges. Those charges related to the taking part in, and the procuring of, acts of sodomy upon the boy contrary to Common Law and the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980, the supplying of cannabis to the boy contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and harbouring and concealment of a boy under supervision care contrary to the Social Work Scotland Act 1968.

The pre-trial hearings took place between the 9th and the 11th January 1991. During those hearings it was agreed between the Crown and defence counsels to reduce the 57 indictments to just 10 – allowing five defendants to walk free, and with pleas arranged for the remaining five. Police officers involved in “Operation Planet’ were totally confounded, and extremely angered, by this extraordinary turn of events.

On the 15th and 16th January 1991 the trial was held, before Lord Clyde (the Senator of The College of Justice), of the one defendant who had pleaded not guilty (an Edinburgh-based solicitor). The jury found the charges to be ‘not proven’. On the 12th February 1991 the remaining five accused persons (who had pleaded guilty) appeared before Lord Clyde for sentencing. One of the accused was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Sentencing of the remaining 4 accused was deferred to the 8th October 1991 when they appeared before the Lord Justice Clerk and were admonished.

Breaking The Law

Towards the end of March 1991 – and as a direct consequence of ‘Operation Planet’, and prosecutions relating to acts of sodomy upon teenage boys – an internal study paper was produced by The Crown Office that sought to establish a rationale for, and the extent to which, the protections offered by Common Law could be circumvented, and statute law ignored. The author of that paper was the (then) Senior Legal Assistant at The Crown Office, Elish McPhilomy (now Elish Angiolini).

The justification given by The Crown Office for this extraordinary action was that “some public concern about the appropriateness of basing charges on Common Law rather than statute” had been expressed. However the only “public concern” cited in The Crown Office report was of an opinion proffered by one of the defence counsels in the ‘Operation Planet’ trial, the Advocate Derek Ogg – and as quoted in The Glasgow Herald on the 20th February 1991.

On the 29th April 1991 a meeting was held between Lord Fraser (the Lord Advocate), Lord Roger (the Solicitor General), Duncan Lowe (the Crown Agent), Alfred Vannet (the Deputy Crown Agent) and persons unknown, to discuss the Elish McPhilomy report.

As a result of that meeting, directions were issued by the Crown Office to the Procurators Fiscal (directive No 2025 on the 28th November 1991) in which the Crown Office effectively sanctioned particular criminal acts, contrary to Law – of teenage boys being sodomised by older men. That directive provided the means by which such activities were to be ‘legitimised’ by The Crown.

In response to what the Crown Office described as “public misapprehension”, an amended set of directions was issued (directive No 2025/1 on the 20th December 1991). However those directions amounted to little more than an adjustment of detail – and with an additional Crown Office directive stating that it saw little justification in pursuing cases involving the clients of ‘rent boys’.

The concern is not simply that of officers of the Crown being in breach of their oath (and of ‘malfeasance in public office’). There is also the matter of the introduction of political activism into the Criminal Justice System – for the purpose of introducing extreme, and un-consented social change.

One such issue, of considerable importance, is that of the activities of paedophiles and of organised paedophile rings. The abhorrence of such behaviour is a natural human reaction against those who indulge in such hideously cruel and selfish acts against vulnerable children. However the danger is that the politically motivated misrepresentations of those who attempt to confront paedophilia as ‘homophobic’ (as espoused, for example, in a 1997 article in ‘ScotsGay’ magazine, by Advocate Derek Ogg) can also be seized upon by those with evil intentions to close down any effective response to the serious problem of organised child abuse.

Moving On

On the 28th November 2001 Elish Angiolini was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland. On the 12th October 2006 she was elevated to Lord Advocate, and on the 17th July 2007 it was announced that she had appointed Derek Ogg QC to be her Advocate Depute.

On the 6th March 2009 Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini announced that she had appointed Derek Ogg QC as the head of the new National Sexual Crime Unit who, on accepting that appointment, promised: “For prosecutors, sexual offences are often the most challenging and sensitive cases to bring before a court. However, I am determined that we will continue to do our utmost to bring compelling prosecutions and treat victims with dignity and respect.”

Later that same year Mr. Robert Green sent two letters to Derek Ogg pleading for the Crown Office to instruct Grampian Police to investigate serious and substantiated allegations of the paedophile abuse of a young downs syndrome victim, Hollie Greig. In particular Mr. Green asked that Grampian Police should be instructed to interview those named as Hollie’s abusers (including a serving police officer, and a local Sheriff).

Both letters were ignored.

Look who’s going to Oxford : Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini takes up post of Principal at St Hugh’s College, Oxford

Former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini has been made Principal at St Hugh’s College, Oxford.  Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC, (born McPhilomy) who during her term as Lord Advocate presided over criminal trial disasters such as the World's End murder trial collapse, fought against a case (Cadder v HMA) which finally brought into law the right of persons held in Police custody in Scotland to consult with a solicitor during Police interrogation and more recently is known to have used a private law firm whose partners are involved in work in the notorious offshore tax dodging haven of the Cayman Islands and who also represented notorious Glasgow City Council cocaine addict Steven Purcell in a battle to silence media reporting of the cocaine-politics-corruption scandal, has been welcomed by St Hugh's College, Oxford as its new principal, taking up the post later this year in September 2012.

While the college today issued a statement saying they were delighted to welcome the former Lord Advocate as their new Principal, Elish Angiolini, (born McPhilomy) has recently hit the headlines of her initiation of Scotland’s most expensive ever Breach of the Peace trial, where anti-abuse campaigner Robert Green was jailed for ONE YEAR for handing out leaflets asking for an inquiry into allegations of abuse made by downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig, who was paid a large sum of money from the Criminal Injuries Compensation board after officials decided abuse had taken place.

Robert Green, who made certain allegations against Mrs Angiolini which cannot be reported for legal reasons, ended up being jailed last week by Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen, a Judge acquaintance of the former Lord Advocate who it has since been revealed, failed to declare a relationship with Dame Angiolini after serving on a highly paid quango position with the ex law officer on the Northern Lighthouse Board together with a large, if curious gathering of senior members of the legal profession, the judiciary & prosecutors which includes the current boss of the Crown Office, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, and his deputy, the Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson.

While a final total nearing ONE MILLION POUNDS of taxpayers money appears to have been spent on what has been described as a VENDETTA pursuing Green through the justice system in Scotland, on a case which saw FIFTEEN PRE TRIAL HEARINGS at Stonehaven Sheriff Court, 18,000 travel miles for the accused, trips by Grampian Police Officers to England to search & raid homes & seize property including computers & documents, Crown Office staff being flown into Aberdeen especially for the case, and a witness list which at one point totalled SIXTY ONE persons, oddly there has been no prosecution of anyone for the alleged abuse of Hollie Greig, despite a series of allegations made by the victim & campaigners including Mr Green, who campaigned on her behalf.

Speaking in a Press Release issued by St Hugh’s College, Andrew Dilnot, the current Principal who has been in the position since 2002, commented: “I am delighted that the College has elected such an outstanding figure as Dame Elish as its next Principal. Her pioneering achievements will be an inspiration to people both within and outside the College, and I very much look forward to welcoming her to Oxford.”

Dr John Iles, the College’s Senior Fellow who chaired the election process, said: “Amongst a very strong field of candidates, Elish Angiolini stood out for her combination of leadership qualities and passion for the academic vision of the College. We believe that she is just the person further to develop St Hugh’s as Principal after the exceptionally successful tenure of Andrew Dilnot.”

The Press Release also publishes a statement from Dame Elish Angiolini, who spoke shortly after the announcement about her enthusiasm for the role : “Founded to give an excellent education to women who were otherwise excluded from Oxford, and now providing a focus for learning and scholarship for women and men from all backgrounds, St Hugh’s College has an inspiring history and an exciting future. I am eagerly anticipating joining the College and aim both to support and celebrate its important work.”

St Hugh’s College listed the former Lord Advocate’s profile as follows : “Dame Elish is the former Lord Advocate of Scotland – the highest law officer in the Scottish legal system. Prior to this she was Solicitor General for Scotland. She was the first woman, and the first solicitor in the modern era, to hold either position. Born in Govan, Glasgow, she attended Notre Dame High School for Girls and studied Law at Strathclyde University. She is now a visiting professor at Strathclyde, an honorary professor at Aberdeen University and holds honorary degrees from the universities of Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde and Aberdeen. She is also a QC and Privy Counsellor.”

However, the Press Release issued by St Hugh’s College omits any mention of a string of serious high profile case failures during Ms Angiolini’s term as Lord Advocate along with massive ramifications of the Cadder ruling and doubts over the prosecution of hundreds of criminal cases where it is alleged evidence has either not been provided to courts or has simply been “made up” by prosecutors. No criticism of Dame Angiolini’s term as Scotland’s senior law officer is mentioned, a term which was branded “A disastrous experiment” by the well respected Professor Robert Black QC, emeritus Professor of Law at Edinburgh University.

Professor Black, writing on his Lockerbie Case blog, said of Dame Angiolini’s term as Lord Advocate  “In the past, the law officers have traditionally come from the ranks of the practising Bar and were supporters of the governing party,”. He went onto say : “Elish Angiolini, as well as being the first woman, was the first solicitor and the first legal civil servant. It is to be hoped that it will be recognised that the appointment of a Crown Office staffer as Lord Advocate was a disastrous experiment which should never be repeated.”

Serving as Lord Advocate at the time of Robert Green’s arrest, Dame Angiolini issued legal threats to media outlets including Scots law publication “The Firm” who were forced to censor their reporting of events concerning the Hollie Greig allegations. Private law firm LEVY MCRAE, who also represented shamed Glasgow City Council Boss & self confessed cocaine addict Steven Purcell were used in the operation to silence reporting of the abuse allegations, with senior partner Peter Watson dispatching a series of letters to online media outlets and even the Press Complaints Commission over the affair, which is reported HERE. The conduct of Levy McRae & Watson was challenged by the Herald newspaper in a remarkably frank editorial comment, published HERE

The Press Release issued by St Hugh’s College gives their own view of the last decade of events in the Scottish justice system : “As Solicitor General for Scotland (2001–6) and then as Lord Advocate (2006–11), Dame Elish was instrumental in reforming the operation of the justice system in Scotland, in particular making it more responsive to the victims of crime. In addition, she supervised some of the most significant prosecutions in Scotland in the last decade, and acted as the Scottish Government’s legal advisor during a period of major change. Unusually, she held the post without political affiliation and was reappointed as Lord Advocate by the incoming SNP government in 2007. She is renowned for her championing of equality and dignity in the justice system. She stepped down from her post as Lord Advocate in May 2011, and is currently chairing a Commission of Inquiry on Women Offenders in Scotland, as well as practising as an advocate at the Scottish Bar. She was awarded the DBE for services to the administration of justice in the Queen’s birthday honours in 2011. In the same year, she was granted a Special Achievement Award by the International Association of Prosecutors.”

A reminder of previous events in the trial of anti abuse campaigner Robert Green can be viewed in earlier coverage by Scottish Law Reporter HERE and further coverage of the Hollie Greig case along with a recent investigation into the knighthood of Angiolini, apparently recommended by the Scottish Government.

Former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini employed Cayman Islands hopping lawyers from Glasgow. Reporting on the background of the case, Robert Green was arrested by Police on 12th February 2010 in relation to a breach of the peace alleged to have been committed in Aberdeen when Mr Green attempted to hand out leaflets regarding the anti-abuse campaign. It was also revealed the then Lord Advocate, now Dame Elish Angiolini had employed private law firm Levy McRae to serve interdicts on Mr Green in connection with his campaign to ‘out’ alleged abusers of downs syndrome victim Hollie Greig. Glasgow law firm Levy McRae who later represented shamed former Glasgow City Council Boss & Cocaine addict Steven Purcell, proceeded to threaten several media outlets & journalists over their reporting of the case, covered by Scottish Law Reporter HERE & HERE. The Purcell scandal caused some newspapers to ‘evaluate’ their relationship with Levy McRae, details of which were featured in a report here : HERE

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill worked at, has ties to same law firm used by then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in interdict case. As details of the case began to be reported in the wider press, it emerged the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill had links to LEVY MCRAE, the law firm employed by the then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in legal action against Mr Green. Mr MacAskill has made no comment on the fact he served his apprenticeship at Levy McRae and also worked at the firm for a considerable time during his years as a solicitor before he entered politics, while he is thought to have backed Dame Angiolini in her actions at the time. The revelations were reported by Scottish Law Reporter at the time, HERE

Dame Elish Angiolini has also been appointed Ministerial complaints adviser to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond