Crossbill

I can't help but wonder whether there have been civil servants pulling all nighters to create a document they can release and claim as the full legal advice. Much like the David Davis 'planes have wings' Brexit impact assessment reports.

Labours attempt to weaponise the unequal pay dispute really is an own goal of epic proportions. The last shreds of credibility have been burned. As a little bonus, it looks like a very harsh light is about to be shone on the GMB, it's hand in negotiating unequal pay, advising members to accept settlements that were a fraction of what was due, and the role of Labour politicians in all of this. Into the bin you go, Labour. You're finished in Scotland.

Are Labour in Wales also delivering Tory austerity? In fact, are they delivering Tory Austerity Max?

I'm hoping that the midterm elections will be a watershed moment when 'decent' republicans will realise that they are burning down their house. Just over a month away now.

It's not entirely a joke though, is it.

'You, people of Britain, are our new low skilled workforce.'

I think you may be misunderstanding the purpose of that paragraph. All incidents that someone believes are homophobic need to be recorded as such so they can be investigated appropriately, and if deemed to be homophobic they can be treated as a hate crime. Just because an incident is recorded does not mean that there has been any actual homophobia - that is for the investigators and potentially the courts to determine. In Dugdale's case though she has an even greater challenge - she need's to prove that WOS is actually homophobic or she is guilty of defamation.

I hope Dugdale's lawyer has a better defence than 'It's homophobic because we think it it is' or it's going to be a very short hearing. Actually, no I don't - that would be hilarious.

Well, that's 10 minutes I'm not getting back. Oddly though it seems you've posted a blog that contains no explanation of how exactly the joke is homophobic. Maybe you could try again? FWIW, I can think of a couple of reasons why someone might genuinely believe the joke to be homophobic (rather than the faux outrage that I suspect is more prevalent). The first is that they have preconceived notions about WOS and are reading something that simply isn't there ; the second is that that they are imposing their own prejudices on the joke.

Can you please explain to me exactly how the joke is homophobic. I'm sure I'm just being stupid, but I can't understand how it is and I've yet to see an adequate explanation. Please make sure you explain how the joke conveys actual dislike or prejudice against homosexuals, beyond the fact that it uses homosexuality as a punchline (expressing, as it does, no negative connotation). Thanks in advance for your help.

Just been catching up on this sorry little saga today. Labour have got themselves into a right old state over it. Shame. It seems to me like Dugdale though she had been handed a blank cheque and had decided to rack up costs to the point where even the slight possibility losing would make WOS drop the case. If she lost, well no skin off her nose - the party can pick up the tab. But if she won, or got the case dropped, then that would be a massive scalp she could claim, and have the bonus of financially ruining one of the leading figures in the independence movement (and one who has not been shy in pointing our all her political inadequacies). Shame she looks to have been hoisted by her own petard, and her wailing about how unfair it all is, is frankly pathetic. I hope she gets an absolute doing in court for her mendacity. I bet she though attacking WOS during first ministers questions while protected by parliamentary privilege was quite the jape. God knows why she decided to it again in the Record. I can only guess that she's even stupider than she seems. I've not a shred of sympathy for her.

Is that an actual quote from Davidson? (I'm assuming it's not a quote from the BBC presenter, although you can never be sure).

You've got to admire the Tories, in a way - they know exactly how to manipulate the staunch demographic. I'm always reminded of this.

It's just a coincidence that the UK parliament has just launched a attack on 'Fake News' available via social media and other non-MSM sites. Nothing to worry about. I'm sure the state-approved media will be along shortly to tell us what to think about it.