An "internet bampot" responds

We were the target of the Scottish Press with our far fetched theories and agendas. Dismissed out of sight as little more than “internet bampots”. Of course such dismissal was often based not on the often well researched evidence which had been collated, but more on the accusations we levelled. I remember in particular one article about BBC Scotland which received particular criticism from many quarters, sadly many on Rangers forums, when I alleged Pacific Quay had a particular anti-Rangers sentiment running through it. Unthinkable for most back then. Who within the Rangers community would argue with that now ?

And what of my fellow internet bampots with their conspiracy theories, agendas suggesting dark and sinister forces at work in our country brought together with a common purpose by some Opus Dei like controlling force – could be straight out of a Dan Brown novel. Unthinkable ?

Well we have the aforesaid BBC Scotland receiving stolen evidence, publishing it online and making award winning documentaries. I doubt there would be many within the Rangers community who would view their coverage of our club as fair, balanced and objective. Their language in reporting, their choice of words, the manner of their presentation, leaves little to the imagination as to the motivation behind the foregoing. Nor their hatred of our club.

Now in my internet bampot mode I have long campaigned that the Rangers Tax Case Leaks came from within HMRC themselves – a fact dismissed (though not denied – very clever) from HMRC themselves. We all know the drill after hundreds of letters “HMRC do not comment on speculation about breaches of confidentiality.”

But in the clamour to destroy our club the SPL cabal made one of their biggest ever mistakes with their SPL Commission. And this is where it became interesting. For not only did the learned Lord Nimmo's commission review the evidence, I believe they detected a considerable rat at work.

[98] Meanwhile, BBC Scotland came, by unknown means, into possession of what they described as “dozens of secret emails, letters and documents”, which we understand were the productions before the Tax Tribunal. These formed the basis of a programme entitled “Rangers – The Men Who Sold the Jerseys”, which was broadcast on 23 May 2012. BBC Scotland also published copious material on its website. The published material included a table containing the names of Rangers players, coaches and staff who were beneficiaries of the MGMRT, and how much they received through that trust. It also listed the names of people where the BBC had seen evidence that they received side-letters. This event appears to have been the trigger for more activity in response to the SPL’s request.

We will discuss this further in due course but just for the moment lets look at the use of the word trigger in that statement. Its is used to describe a catalyst, a reaction to more activity. Which tends to suggest that the documentary and information presented by the good old fair, balanced and neutral BBC Scotland has been anything but fair, balanced and neutral. Particularly in light of the findings of a 1^st tier tax tribunal and an SPL commission.

And what of the reference to “productions”. If they are productions then they must be evidence, and there is only one organisation which seized evidence in the Rangers Tax Case – the same organisation, who funnily enough, do not comment on speculation about breaches of confidentiality.

Which is likely to make my blog particularly interesting over the next few weeks for a number of reasons. You see I asked the Right Honourable David Gauke to confirm for me that HMRC had reported the theft of this evidence to the Police. But David Gauke MP declined to answer, instead he passed me to HMRC Ministerial Correspondence Unit who sent me a long winded letter which avoided answering my question. Needless to say I have requested confirmation from them as to my original question. In the meantime my enquiries with Strathclyde Police confirmed that they are currently undertaking a criminal enquiry with regard to the leaking of evidence – Rangers Tax Case.

It coins a new saying – Hell hath no fury like a Rangers shareholder scorned.

One wonders if HMRC will answer my latest enquiry with a refusal to comment on “speculation” about breaches of confidentiality when Strathclyde Police are busy running a major investigation into such leaks ! Oh dear – someone somewhere has a lot of answers to give the Rangers support and I'm sure I will not be the only one demanding them.

But perhaps the dark and sinister forces at work made a considerable mistake last weekend when they temporarily broke cover, Amazing how many legal rights lawyers, top QC's just happened to be in the Gallowgate last weekend on the occasion of an illegal march. Amazing how many politicians were suddenly lobbying Kenny MacAskill about “heavy handed policing” so much so that the Justice Minister was forced to make a statement. In fact it reminded of another situation at Berwick a few weeks ago involving the Rangers support which I described as “almost contrived”

And now today remarkably, we have the Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins forced to write a letter to The Herald defending their position despite the fact it was an unlawful protest.

Dark and sinister forces at work within our society ?

Unthinkable ?