Phil Boswell of the SNP is a frequent participant on my Through A Scottish Prism podcasts. He gives his honest opinion on all matters appertaining to Scotland’s struggle for independence. I think it is fair to say that Phil is not a member of the Sturgeon inner circle. In the recent weeks he has been very critical of his own party. Unlike the blind followers who refuse to criticise anything said or done by Sturgeon’s SNP, Phil is outspoken in condemning their lack of action on Independence.
Today the SNP in house magazine,The National carried a smear story on Phil.It completely misrepresented a twitter exchange he had with Roddy Dunlop QC. Phil being the honest, honourable man he is, is refusing to accept this lie. He has demanded a fully apology and retraction from The National and their journalist Craig Meighan. Unlike the National Phil is giving Craig the opportunity to respond to his complaint. Below is the exchange. It really is bad enough when the overt Unionist media attack independence supporters, it is quite disheartening when a so called Independence supporting newspaper attacks an Independence supporter with an inaccurate piece. Judge for yourselves if Craig Meghan has misquoted Phil or not. The cynic in me is highly suspicious that the slavishly devoted SNP National is attacking one of the Sturgeon/ SNP’s critics.
Phil Boswell Tweet of 17th Feb 2022
What Craig Meighan @CraigyMeighan writing in the National in Scotland and Ireland on the 18th of Feb wrote in an article Nicola Sturgeon: I don’t have much in common with those who abused BBC’s Sarah Smith | The National
https://www.thenational.scot/news/19936402.nicola-sturgeon-dont-much-common-abused-bbcs-sarah-smith/
Craig Meighan makes a False Statement taken completely out of context as in Scotland “traitor.” Is generally understood to be to one’s country. Whereas I quite rightly accuse her of betraying a core principle of journalism, that of objectivity.
The BBC Charter sets out its Object, Mission & Purpose including this core purpose;
(1) To provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them:
In my opinion, and those of thousands of others within the Indy movement, Ms Smith has not lived up to this core standard by her actions, a re-watch of the appallingly biased Kirsty Wark programme on the disgraceful stitch up of Alex Salmond on trumped up charges for which, of course, he received full acquittal on all, is all that is required to determine what I said is correct and accurate. Nor do I condone abuse, online or otherwise. However, such a betrayal of the core feature of responsible journalism, promised under Public Charter that we pay for, cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
I have contacted the National but have not heard back yet and unless they contact me soon to resolve this, a formal complaint will be issued to IPSO later today at the same time as I offer this young gentleman, by email, the opportunity to;
1. Withdraw his false statement from the online forums of the National newspaper
2. Apologise in print in next week’s National (Scotland and Ireland).
If he does this, I will consider the matter over and done with and will withdraw my complaint from IPSO.
Well done Phil.
If you receive one the apology should be in bold block capitals on the front page not tucked away on page 22 in the right hand bottom corner where you require a magnifying glass to read it.
The decontextualised comment in The National report is an outrageous smear, something we used to expect from the more rabid elements of the Unionist press. I think we know whose ultimately behind this.
The sickening sight of those so-called journalists sitting in that cafe discussing with dribbles of excitement running down their chins the expected demise of Alec Salmond, was appallingly politically biased, not to mention very uncomfortable for the viewer from a humane point of view. Kicking your ‘enemy’ when he is down is not a good look, but Labour stalwarts often glory in doing just that. Sarah Smith will go to a better-paying and more influential job, like they all do who are wedded to the establishment. Phil is courageous and principled, but he should expect no quarter from the SNP leadership or from the party loyalists who are now as blinkered as their Labour counterparts.
Sturgeon’s cabal are losing, and they know it. They are lashing out.
The national is frankly embarrassing.
Sturgeons Soviet are trying to crush desent she thinks she can hold onto power through intimidation, her day is coming to a end and she knows it. Phil is a patriot and wont be silence he criticises our duff leader, he has every entitlement to do his in a democracy. We know who the traitors are in Scotland and it most certainly is not Phil. Well dont Phil I wish others in the SNP had your mojo and commitment to the cause.
I comment here while disliking the ‘Mainstream Media’ that broadcasts to the so-called UK; however, I’m only one of Scotland’s electorate and my views won’t matter to many people; yet, I have learned the values of honour and truthfulness! However, when sites like Twitter, plus headlines like: ‘Phil Boswell demands The National withdraw their smear’; along with innumerable journalists and judgemental readers – the readership’s also their own judges and juries!
If Scotland’s politicians – of any party – cannot recognise the changing philosophy that’s emerging in our country, then the Unionist people will really become successful Colonialists, by keeping their last colony: the previously independent Scotland.
The National Cringe is no better than the Daily Retard or Scottish Express…
Good to see this ‘The National’ journalist being put on fair notice here, with the option also given, to retract and apologise in full for their directed smear. The journalist representing this newspaper, represents and speaks on behalf of and for ‘The National company’ as a whole.
Yeah it makes you wonder sometimes whom is actually directing the ultimate content and pressing of their newspaper stories, with which motives and to what eventual purpose.
Many more people are now suggesting that ‘The National’ has indeed become a daily PPBroadcast newspaper for a certain political party…
https://www.thenational.snp