Should the Scottish government be extradited ?

[Captain Oates 911]

There is a report that the Scottish government should be brought before Congress and made to explain why the Libyan prisoner was released

The Scots have replied in writing to say they are unwilling to come

Should they be subject to 'extraordinary rendition' where a seal team goes ashore and brings these foreigners to Washington for a damn good dressing down like Tony Hayward.

They obviously don't realise where head office really is

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

There is a report that the Scottish government should be brought before Congress and made to explain why the Libyan prisoner was released

The Scots have replied in writing to say they are unwilling to come

Should they be subject to 'extraordinary rendition' where a seal team goes ashore and brings these foreigners to Washington for a damn good dressing down like Tony Hayward.

They obviously don't realise where head office really is

As much as the decision by the Scottish Justice Minister is repellent to some, it was nevertheless a decision of a sovereign government (well, as sovereign as it is under devolution). Any review of the decision is rightly placed in Scotland. I'd love to see Scotland try to pull the US over to talk about alleged war crimes -- let's see how well that one goes down.

[Captain Oates 911]

As much as the decision by the Scottish Justice Minister is repellent to some, it was nevertheless a decision of a sovereign government (well, as sovereign as it is under devolution). Any review of the decision is rightly placed in Scotland. I'd love to see Scotland try to pull the US over to talk about alleged war crimes -- let's see how well that one goes down.

+4

I actually think the decision does stink. It's repulsive. The people who died were flying over my house a few minutes before they were murdered. Only the reltives of those killed will be more against the release than me.

Hoewever:

This idea that the Congress can bring people before them from anywhere in the Empire - I mean world, just shows the delusions of grandeur that Congress has and how it sees other countries as client States at best and more like managers of foreign subsidiary companies..

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

+4

I actually think the decision does stink. It's repulsive. The people who died were flying over my house a few minutes before they were murdered. Only the reltives of those killed will be more against the release than me.

Hoewever:

This idea that the Congress can bring people before them from anywhere in the Empire - I mean world, just shows the delusions of grandeur that Congress has and how it sees other countries as client States at best and more like managers of foreign subsidiary companies..

Good to know I'm racking up points again -- after my shenanigans this weekend I need to be in the black.

My own feelings about how correct this decision was is beside the point (at the time, to me it smacked of Edinburgh posturing to Westminster, but what do I know). What is relevant is what you state -- last time I checked, Congress did not have the power to call other governments in front of it for investigations and dressing-downs. I can see with a company like BP, where there is a locus (oil spill here, subsidiary companies domiciled here), but this is fecking nuts. Not only is Edinburgh doing the right thing by refusing to comply with these demands, I believe it is the ONLY thing they can do. To attend such a meeting would in at least some small sense indicate that administrative review of a minister's decision lies not in either the Scottish or UK Parliaments or the courts, all of which derive their power and legitimacy from the Crown, but in another sovereign nation. This is simply impossible under the UK Constitution.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

extradite the Scottish government? Even if that were remotely on the cards, the US has no credibility to demand it, especially given that many senators funded Sinn Fein.

[Captain Oates 911]

Good to know I'm racking up points again -- after my shenanigans this weekend I need to be in the black.

My own feelings about how correct this decision was is beside the point (at the time, to me it smacked of Edinburgh posturing to Westminster, but what do I know). What is relevant is what you state -- last time I checked, Congress did not have the power to call other governments in front of it for investigations and dressing-downs. I can see with a company like BP, where there is a locus (oil spill here, subsidiary companies domiciled here), but this is fecking nuts. Not only is Edinburgh doing the right thing by refusing to comply with these demands, I believe it is the ONLY thing they can do. To attend such a meeting would in at least some small sense indicate that administrative review of a minister's decision lies not in either the Scottish or UK Parliaments or the courts, all of which derive their power and legitimacy from the Crown, but in another sovereign nation. This is simply impossible under the UK Constitution.

++

I think it's a hoot that the Jimmies have been out-maneuvered by the English

They wanted their parliament for years and years - and now they have it and they are carrying the can for London. That coincides with braveheart chops - that purveyor of hollywood slander upon the English, having his 'little local difficulty' and is as gratifying as the value of the GBP which is going up like a rocket against the USD.

Once again the saying is so apt - 'be careful what you wish for'

[mawilson 2,133]

Considering the recent history of such hearings, can you blame them for not wanting to come? Who wants to be a piñata?

[Peikko 1,575]

Considering the recent history of such hearings, can you blame them for not wanting to come? Who wants to be a piñata?

No, this isn't going to happen, nor should it.

The release of this prisoner has many layers, not least that which pertains to the real possibility that he was never responsible for the bombing - hence the possibility that there was a quid pro quo in release on health grounds in order to quash the appeal.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

extradite the Scottish government? Even if that were remotely on the cards, the US has no credibility to demand it, especially given that many senators funded Sinn Fein.

Not only do they not have any credibility, under what power would they be able to demand extradition? If, and I use that "if" advisedly, the Scottish minister had made a mistake in law, not only is that a matter for the Scottish legal system, it is a civil matter and not a crime. Unless I'm mistaken, extradition is only available for criminal activity. Furthermore, no matter how much the decision stinks, the minister had the power to make the decision that he made and it was made legally. Whether it was correct, in law or in the court of public opinion, is another matter.

[Captain Oates 911]

extradite the Scottish government? Even if that were remotely on the cards, the US has no credibility to demand it, especially given that many senators funded Sinn Fein.

I don't feel comfortable with the British identity any more and I am happier with English. That's why I picked an English identity on VJ and it shows an English flag on the left. The flag isn't as pretty as the Union flag but I have been abused for being English in Scotland and in Wales - so let em go and play at being Belgium I say.

I used to go to Northern Ireland once a month for years with work and we had two factories -one catholic and one protestant. Both side were ok with me so I would still stick with them.

I would love to be listening in to the meetings at the Scottish Tourist board

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Double post -- anyone else having issues with VJ this morning?

Apologies.

Edited July 26, 2010 by elmcitymaven

[Peikko 1,575]

Yes - very gluey.

[Peikko 1,575]

++

I think it's a hoot that the Jimmies have been out-maneuvered by the English

They wanted their parliament for years and years - and now they have it and they are carrying the can for London. That coincides with braveheart chops - that purveyor of hollywood slander upon the English, having his 'little local difficulty' and is as gratifying as the value of the GBP which is going up like a rocket against the USD.

Once again the saying is so apt - 'be careful what you wish for'

The Brown government were very much against the release of the prisoner, and unless you are going to believe some convoluted story that they were against it on order to convince the Scottish to do the exact opposite and release the prisoner because that's what they really wanted, the facts are against you on your opinion that the Scottish were doing the dirty work of the English.

[Pooky 3,773]

extradite the Scottish government? Even if that were remotely on the cards, the US has no credibility to demand it, especially given that many senators funded Sinn Fein.

Ah, forever with the political correctness.