I should be grateful if you would join Noam Chomsky, Yanis Varoufakis, David Hare, Roger Waters, Robert Black, Kristinn Hrnafsson, Christine Assange and many others in signing the open letter against the politically motivated legal harassment of people including Mark Hirst and myself.
I am not asking you to endorse our political views; I am asking you to support free speech and oppose this rather startling authoritarianism and highly selective prosecution.
To the Lord Advocate
DEAR Mr Wolffe,
We are writing to you to express our growing concern over the actions of both the Crown Office and Police Scotland.
In recent weeks vocal independence supporters and backers of the former First Minister Alex Salmond, specifically the former UK diplomat, human rights campaigner and journalist Craig Murray along with fellow journalist Mark Hirst, have been arrested and charged in relation to comments they made publicly during and following the trial of Mr Salmond. Other supporters of Mr Salmond have also been contacted by police and warned over online comments they made in the wake of the trial.
We are particularly concerned to note that the investigating police officers are the same detectives who led the investigation against Mr Salmond over a period of two years and at considerable cost to the public purse.
As you know, the prosecution following from that investigation, pursued again at considerable cost to the public purse, resulted in the acquittal of Mr Salmond on all charges and now raises the most serious questions about why that investigation and that prosecution were pursued.
Whilst we appreciate that you cannot be involved in individual cases you will undoubtedly be aware that complaints of alleged Contempt of Court were made against six other individual journalists widely regarded as being hostile in their reporting of Mr Salmond. No action by the Crown Office or Police Scotland has been taken against any of those individuals. This leaves the distinct impression that Police Scotland, at the direction of the Crown Office, is acting in a manner that is both biased and disproportionate.
As you will be aware, for public confidence to be maintained in our independent legal system the law must be able to both demonstrate it is acting impartially and be seen to be doing so.
The actions taken so far risk establishing a public perception that both Police Scotland and the Crown Office are conducting themselves in a manner which is biased and is indeed political in nature.
Such perceptions risk seriously damaging confidence in the Scottish legal system.
We would welcome your fullest public response to the concerns raised in this letter and any meaningful public assurances you can offer that both Police Scotland and the Crown Office are complying with their obligations to act with complete impartiality and to apply the law fairly.
Professor Noam Chomsky (linguist and political scientist)
Yanis Varoufakis (Author, former Greek Finance Minister, philosopher, economist)
Professor Robert Black QC (Professor Emeritus of Scots Law, Edinburgh University)
Sir David Hare (Playwright, screenwriter and film director)
Kristinn Hrnaffson (Investigative journalist and Editor in Chief of Wikileaks)
Tariq Ali (human rights campaigner, journalist and historian)
Roger Waters (co-founder Pink Floyd, political activist)
Lawrence B. Wilkerson, (US Colonel, Ret, former Chief of Staff, US Department of State)
Paul Kavanagh (Columnist, The National newspaper)
George Kerevan (Journalist, Former SNP MP, former Associate Editor of The Scotsman)
Tommy Sheridan (Convenor, Solidarity and former MSP)
Ann Wright (US Colonel, Ret, and former US Ambassador)
Christine Assange (human rights campaigner and mother of Julian)
Gordon Dangerfield (Solicitor Advocate)
Hugh Kerr (Former Labour MEP, author and journalist)
John Kiriakou (CIA whistle-blower)
Coleen Rowley (Retired FBI Agent and former Minneapolis Division Legal Counsel, 2002 Time Magazine Person of the Year)
Ray McGovern (Former CIA Officer, Founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity)
Robert Tibbo (lawyer to Edward Snowden)
Annie Machon (former MI5 officer, author and journalist)
Katherine Gun (former GCHQ whistle-blower)
Clive Ponting (former MOD whistle-blower)
Stuart Campbell (Editor, Wings over Scotland)
James Kelly (Editor of SCOT goes POP! and columnist with The National)
Neil MacKay (Singer-songwriter, Scottish independence activist)
Liz Dangerfield (solicitor)
Campbell Martin (Broadcast journalist and former SNP MSP)
Elizabeth Murray (former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East & CIA political analyst)
Robin McAlpine (Political strategist)
Bogdan Dzakovic (9/11 aviation security whistle-blower, FAA Security, Ret.)
Robert Wing (former US Foreign Service Officer)
Marshall Carter-Tripp (Political science professor and former Division Director, State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research)
Details of charges against Mark Hirst are here. The indictment against me is here. You can sign the letter against this persecution here.
This hearing on 10 June is supposed to be public, but it will be virtual because of coronavirus. While it is a case management hearing, I shall nevertheless be grateful if you are able to “attend” virtually, as I am very keen indeed that I am not stitched up out of the public eye. Please send an email requesting access to the virtual hearing on 10 June to [email protected]. I am very keen as many people do this as possible. Journalists please in addition copy in [email protected] for accreditation.
This is a procedural hearing before three appeal court judges. It is not the trial itself, but as with Julian Assange it is vital that the whole process is independently witnessed and that there is no potential for injustice to thrive in the dark. I am very grateful to the 700 people who have already registered.
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Freedom of speech is being muted by corruption and it needs to be stopped NOW !!!
Freedom of speech is a basic human right and should never be compromised.
Freedom of speech is a basic human right.
Atholl Innes we are entitled to free speech.
Good luck.
Well, I found my name on it – wow – a *lot* of signatures.
I think that they could have formatted it differently so that there was more opportunity for us to say who we were.
The big shots who signed the letters at the beginning are all extra-ordinary people.
It is important that Mr Wolffe and those receiving the letter understand that it has been signed by huge numbers of ordinary people, like me, who have ordinary respectable jobs, we’re not political activists, we’re never out on demonstrations, we’re the sort of people who by nature would be inclined to be supportive of the criminal justice system and we’re simply incensed by this corruption that is staring us in the face.
It is important that they understand that the overwhelming majority of the signatories are ordinary, quiet, law abiding people and they’re treading on very dangerous ground if people like us lose all confidence in the criminal justice system.
James
” lose all confidence ”
We haven’t lost confidence in the criminal justice system,. We have lost confidence in our political system that has subjugated the criminal justice system at all levels of its administration.
What on earth are the police doing inventing lies against Alex Salmond?
What on earth is contempt of court doing in a case of the court having contempt of jury decision?
Why are the interests of a foreign country , Israel, doing in the centre of a political trial of an Australian journalist who has committed no crime?
Why has a Crown, that mustard gassed a newly subjugated corner of the mighty Ottoman Empire in 1920, illegally attacked that same country on the grounds of its leader gassing?
We completely respect and trust the criminal justice system, but the political system appears to have became subject to the power of criminal gangsters from a foreign nation.
Well, I don’t trust the criminal justice system.
I would trust it an awful lot more if Craig Murray were being tried by jury.
Of course, if there were a jury then they would never have brought it to trial.
So our criminal justice system has been corrupted enormously by politicians (which I think is what you were saying).
By the way – do you know how many people have signed the letter so far? I just clicked on the link and it looks like a huge number.
I have absolutely zero faith in the criminal justice system.
If there’s an office or function of state that hasn’t been comprehensively corrupted during the last forty years, then I’m not aware of it.
In the list, after looking to see if my own name was correctly documented, I found Brian Cox under the “ordinary” names, but was disappointed not to find John Pilger.
Freedom of speech is a right, there is too much censorship. Good luck Craig
The way the world is going free speech is more essential than ever
Good luck Craig!
We support you and free speech.
The only journalists who are safe these days are mainstream media robots who report on what they’re told by the media moguls in cahoots with govts. It’s gone too far. Best wishes to you Craig Murray
Signed and good luck.
I haven’t registered to be part of the online court proceedings. I am neither scottish nor british and strictly speaking don’t live in the UK. Does one have to be resident in Scotland or are there any such requirements?
Why are journalists who are commenting openly and honestly on things taking place in our country being harassed and illegally arrested. We are supposed to be a democracy and the police and courts are there to protect and ensure the safety of the people of this country. Not those who set themselves up in power illegally and corruptly.
Freedom of speech can not be silenced
Good Luck , Craig . I have great trust in your writings . Stay strong
No freedom without freedom of speech!
FREE JULIAN ASSANGE He is a publisher. We will not accept the theft of our liberties and the destruction of intenational law. Assange is a political prisoner and recognized as such by the United Nations. As signatories to a number of legally binding treaties, Assange must be released.
I fully support this letter, and firmly believe that Scotland’s legal system could be embarking on a slippery slope if it continues on with the persecution of these individuals.
Craig, a virtual hearing can arguably have as many spectators as possible – is there any way to push the authorities to allow everyone who wants to join the virtual hearing?
Freedom of speech is a basic human right.
A democracy cannot function without a truly free and fair press which is why the UK and the USA are more or less failed states at the moment. We need people like Craig Murray and Julian Assange to restore some rule of law and civilization to our corrupted systems.
Signed of course. Some big hitters there, a little surprised Chomsky has heard of this local matter, but he is a clever fellow.
If Craig is somehow found guilty, I do hope he has some sort of fund we can contribute to for further legal, and personal, expenses. I’ll contribute for my part, Mr Murray has a young son I believe.
Covid is now essentially over, and so Mr Salmond now has to consider the timing of his entrance into the fray. Mr Salmond is a canny fellow, and I’ve no doubt it’s a little early at the moment. But there is no alternative here: Nicola has to go, and her Squad must go with her. She’s kind of a nothing anyway. And Mr Murray’s case must be investigated for corruption, because it’s plain to see. I predict careers are on the line here.
Sigh. This is in Scotland as well. Not good. We/You aren’t China. I’m in Australia, and basically every politician has thrown Assange under the bus. Perhaps in private the PM has made representations, I don’t know, but for the public, Assange is persona non grata. Sad.
“Covid is now essentially over”. In Australia maybe. There’s still 2,000-odd new cases a day in the UK.
The world oughtn’t need ask.
Stop USRaeli terrorism! Stop the perpetual wars, stop the assassinations and tortures, and for gawd sake leave Julian Assange and ALL other legitimate journalists, investigative reporters, civil rights and justice workers…THE HECK ALONE! If you’re not up to GIVING THEM THE HERO STATUS they richly deserve. Shouldn’t have to ask, damnit!
In the name of common decency and Justice why has it taken so long for Australian Government to speak up for Assange.
I totally reject the lieused to slander and denigrate honest and decent people whose only desire is to root out corruption from society.
These charges are politically motivated.
Standing strong together i believe.
Hands off Mark Hirst & Craig Murray!
Are we going to have a Fashist state, like the USA ????
Land of the free?
Land of dreams??
Carry on Craig…
I made a word cloud of the signatories. Clearly, they’re skewing HEAVILY male.
https://i.imgur.com/6NEUPxt.png
Sam, anyone can read the list and see they are in fact majority male, but not nearly as heavily as your word cloud implies.
Two main reasons for that. Firstly, your sound cloud settings heavily exaggerate differences in frequency. So if Robert takes up ten times the area of William, that does not mean there are ten times more Roberts than Williams. It is not proportionate by area.
Secondly, that distortion then amplifies the fact that in our society female names are more diverse than male. I am trying to think how to express that properly; male names are more concentrated on a few names. People are more imaginative in naming girls, commonly choose from a wider range of names, and importantly in this instance there is more commonly spelling diversity in the same female name. All of which contributes to the fact that your word cloud is not a good guide to gender balance. Just reading through a sample of the names gives a much better picture.
What difference does that make?
I think the British gov is behind all this
The people behind this witch hunt must be exposed