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Friday, June 27, 2003
Curfew, fixed fines and electronic tagsC
olin Fox, the SSP's Lothians MSP, said: "Of course we have problems on our estates with crime, but most of it is due to the failed drug policies of Labour ... Until we reform our useless drug laws we won't solve the problem.
"Tagging 10-year-old youngsters may make good headlines but, as the National Association of Probation Officers points out, it has had no impact on crime and criminality." The HeraldCANDIDATE'S BID TO FORCE POLL RE-RUN GOES TO COURTA FORMER Paisley councillor fighting a legal battle to try to force an election re-run will have his day in court.
Iain Hogg is taking action after he lost the Paisley Seedhill seat on Renfrewshire Council to Labour candidate Rayleen Kelly by 10 votes.
But Mr Hogg claims that an election leaflet put out by the Labour Party the night before polling day contained a number of untrue statements about him.
It's the first time ever in Scotland that a losing candidate has challenged an election result on the basis of comments in a leaflet.
A writ has been served on Councillor Kelly and now a court date has been set for the case.
Mr Hogg, who fought the election for the Scottish Socialist Party, said: "We have petitioned the court to find Rayleen Kelly guilty of an electoral offence under Section 106 of the Representation of the Peoples' Act 1983.
"It is our contention that an eve of poll leaflet contained a number of false statements of fact concerning my conduct and character .We believe this leaflet affected the outcome of the election."
He added: "It is a sad day that such an action has to be raised. It is imperative however that character assassination should not be seen as a route to political victory.
"This devalues a political system which is already witnessing low turnouts."
Dr. Nick McKerrell, law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University and legal adviser to Mr Hogg, said: "We have set the wheels in motion and are confident that we can prove our case before the Sheriff Principal. This would be a legal first in Scotland." Paisley Daily Express
