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Johann Lamont under pressure to act as condemnation of Ian Davidson's TV rant builds

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Friday, 10 August 2012 06:00
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By G.A.Ponsonby
 
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont is coming under increasing pressure to speak out as condemnation grows over the conduct of a Labour MP in a BBC Scotland interview.
 
Ms Lamont was today challenged to say whether she agreed with Labour MP Ian Davidson after the controversial Glasgow MP’s Tuesday night rant saw him launch an astonishing verbal attack against respected presenter Isabel Fraser.

Mr Davidson attacked the impartiality of the journalist and Newsnight Scotland as a whole, when being quizzed on his claims that the Scottish Parliament could only hold an independence referendum with Westminster permission.

The Labour MP repeatedly referred to the programme as ‘NewsNat Scotland’ and accused the programme of bias, claiming it was a “general political view”.  Davidson then challenged Ms Fraser to offer herself up for election.

Mr Davidson also revealed that the Labour party had already complained on a number of occasions about the way “NewsNat Scotland” behaves.
 
The episode has been condemned across the Scottish political and constitutional spectrum with people from both sides and none levelling criticism at Mr Davidson’s bullying attitude.

Today, SNP MSP Sandra White called on Mr Davidson’s leader, Johann Lamont, to speak out and confirm whether she supports the views of her Westminster colleague.

Ms Lamont, as leader of the Labour party in Scotland, is responsible for the conduct of all Scottish Labour MPs after changes to the party system were implemented when she replaced former leader Iain Gray.
 
Commenting today, Ms White said the people of Scotland had the right to know if Ms Lamont agrees with the views and conduct of Mr Davidson, or not.
 
The MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said:
 
“There has been wide condemnation from prominent voices form all parties and various people in public life in Scotland towards Mr Davidson’s conduct on Newsnight Scotland – but the Labour leadership silence on the matter is deafening. 
 
“Johann Lamont must now must speak up or speak out to demonstrate if they are a party that promotes positive respectful politics or if they are a party stuck in dark ages.
 
“The only support I’ve seen for Mr Davidson has come from Michael Kelly whose politics belong in the dim and distant past, and even he admits the ‘onus is surely on Davidson to produce evidence’ to substantiate his wild claims.
 
“Ms Lamont and Labour have come to a crossroads and they must now decide what path they are to now take. I am sure they know what they should do, whither they are willing to do this remains to be seen.
 
“This isn’t the first time that Ian Davidson has publicly embarrassed himself, but his extraordinary behaviour cannot simply be swept under the carpet and he - or the Labour party in Scotland - must now apologise to Isobel Fraser and BBC Scotland.”
 
The episode has caused a flurry of reactions from across the political spectrum, with the vast majority condemning the Scottish Labour MP’s behaviour.
 

Frank McAveety ‏@FMcAveety:  Bit of a rammie on Newsnicht tnt with Ian Davidson and Isobel Fraser on the Referendum report. It may rumble on.
 
Murdo Fraser ‏@murdo_fraser: Ian Davidson being unnecessarily rude to Isobel Fraser on #newsnicht. No need for it.
 
Angus Macleod ‏@AmacleodTimes: Labour should demand Davidson apologises for his outburst on Newsnicht. Bonkers.
 
Andrew McFadyen ‏@apmcfadyen: I don't know why Ian Davidson chose to pick a fight with Isabel Fraser, but he comes across like a playground bully
 
Aamer Anwar ‏@AamerAnwar: Absolutely Ridiculous-Ian Davidson MP just accused BBC of being biased against unionist parties just now on Newsnight Scotland.
 
Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan : Ian Davidson is a certain kind of bruiser. Whatever your views what kind of Scotland does he appeal too?
 
Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan: Great embracing of Diceyian view of British constitution by Ian Davidson. Not exactly an ad for a reformed, flexible union.
 
Lesley Riddoch ‏@LesleyRiddoch : If Ian Davidson wants to c what bullying on air looks like he sd rewatch his #Newsnicht performance. http://tinyurl.com/dyzqvss
 
Jennie Kermode ‏@jennie_kermode : I hope Ian Davidson has given due thought to what his performance on #Newsnicht will look like on YouTube in the cold light of morning.
 
The Firm ‏@TheFirmOnline: We all admire a good fight, but only if you fight clean. The result of last night is that Ian Davidson diminished only himself.
 
Kate Shannon ‏@HolyroodKate: MP Ian Davidson accuses Isabel Fraser and the BBC of being biased and repeatedly calls it 'NewsNat Scotland' - nice.
 
Pat Kane ‏@thoughtland: Something iconic abt Iain Davidson on #newsnicht...As 2 his bias charge--Has he ever *watched* Brewer in full sneer? http://pic.twitter.com/RhGv8Yi2
 
Mandy Rhodes @holyroodmandy Just watched rerun of Ian Davidson on Newsnight last night - people would pay to watch that kind of thing on the Fringe!

 

[Following Ian Davidson’s claims that the Labour party has officially complained several times about Newsnight Scotland, we contacted the BBC Scotland press department for confirmation.  We asked the BBC Scotland press office to confirm if “the BBC has received complaints from the Labour Party about Newsnight Scotland and/or Isabel Fraser?”]

Comments  

 
# Macart 2012-08-09 17:54
I think we'll wait a while for a response from either Labour or the Beeb.
 
 
# Mad Jock McMad 2012-08-09 18:06
In the old days media silence would have been enough to kill this story but with Davidson starring in his own 'You are a tube' show this will come back to haunt him for years to come.

He does not understand the constitutional basis by which he elected an MP for a Scottish constituency which which must reject the concept of 'unlimited sovereignty' at Westminster as it has no equivalence in Scots Law or constitutional practice - Davidson has become a modern day 'toom tabard'.
 
 
# peter,aberdeenshire 2012-08-09 18:45
Years ago I asked the BBC if the number of complaints about bias had increased since the SNP came to power. The request was denied.
Lamentable will not act, she has no power to act, it's just that we cannot see her strings being pulled.
 
 
# Polstar 2012-08-09 18:48
Johann Lamont was challenged to condemn Eric Joyce's bar brawl in the house of commons, and his alleged sleeping with a schoolgirl working on his election campaign, i'm sure Johann must have been challenged over his cutting his tag off to go rowing with his chums, I dont think she has ever uttered a word of condemnation over any of those things.

She's starting to look like the grey woman of scottish politics.
 
 
# call me dave 2012-08-09 19:11
The heat needs to be turned up on Ms Lamont over a number of things:

Silence is not good enough:

1. Trident
2. Lack of policies
3. Davidson and his bullying
4. Purcell & Joyce
5. Will she introduce Uni Fees and
prescription charges
5. What flavour of 'jam tomorrow' her
party is/is not offering in the event
of a 'NO' vote
6. Who is in charge of labour in Scotland
Oh sorry!. . we all know the answer to
that one.

Ach . .that will do as a provisional list.
 
 
# thomsor 2012-08-09 18:51
BBC Scotland and the Scottish media should be ashamed of themselves. Bullying should be confronted not condoned. Davidson has overstepped the mark again but no apology will be forthcoming from him or from Slab
 
 
# daveniz 2012-08-09 18:56
have you not considered that ian davidson spends so much time in London and the Westminster trough that when he come up to Glasgow must have asked a fellow unionists who has been giving the unionists a hard time with facts? they must have said this very website newsnetscotland and he thought it was BBC newsnight Scotland (because he doesn't have a clue what's happening in Scotland) so went on the programme to throw his Westminster is superior attitude about thinking that'll stop the natives from thinking they can have a referendum without us! (knowing full well a yes vote brings an end to there Westminster Mp or lords seat!)
 
 
# pinkrose 2012-08-09 22:47
I think you might have hit the nail on the head! Your explanation sounds very plausible!
 
 
# GrassyKnollington 2012-08-09 19:10
As the leader of Labour in Scotland shouldn't Ed Milliband be asked to condemn Davidson's behaviour rather than the leader of the Labour MSP's at Holyrood?

Does anyone here seriously think that Davidson considers Lamont to be his boss?
 
 
# Robabody 2012-08-09 23:31
If I say you're right again, and you are, folk on here will think I'm forming a GK fan club ;-))
 
 
# GrassyKnollington 2012-08-10 16:41
ha ha Robabody, when I start printing the t-shirts you're getting the shiniest, most expensive one :O)
 
 
# Robabody 2012-08-10 20:43
See what I mean, what a guy!
 
 
# Dubai_scot 2012-08-09 19:12
Aside from his thuggish behaviour, reminds me of a certain Lord Reid, Davidson said Westminster has the "moral" authority to impose its will on Holyrood. He said this more than once which would seem to imply that he knows he is on a sticky wicket and it is not so clear cut as he makes out. Notice he steered away from saying this authority of Westminster was in accordance with "international" law.
 
 
# pmcrek 2012-08-09 19:21
Any decent psychiatrist will tell you based on all the evidence that Ian Davidson has a pathological dislike for women.

Misogyny is the correct term I believe.
 
 
# clootie 2012-08-09 19:58
Quite concerning that Labour accepts such behaviour.

Only a few years ago we had the boasts regarding the increase in the proportion of female MP's (They do deserve credit for that effort). However I have to question the true sincerity of the drive when this type of behaviour is tolerated - this after all is only the most recent incident.
 
 
# Jiggsbro 2012-08-09 20:43
Any decent psychiatrist would scoff at the idea of making any sort of diagnosis based on the evidence available. Then they'd scoff at the idea that they'd diagnose pathological dislike of women and direct you to a decent psychologist, who'd scoff at the idea making any sort of diagnosis based on the evidence available.

Davidson is unpleasant, but let's not pathologise his unpleasantness. It's possible to be an arse without any mental/psychological health excuses. Davidson looks like the typical bully and if he appears to target women it is likely to be because he perceives them as weak rather than because he particularly dislikes them.
 
 
# Stravaiger 2012-08-09 21:42
Agreed. I think we are talking about an obnoxious personality. Someone who will abuse any power he is given. I know nothing of his background but I have a very strong impression that his peer group will find nothing unusual in this type of conduct. Interesting adoption of the glottal stop as a substitute for the pronunciation of the letter "t". Is this an affectation designed to ingratiate himself with his electorate? If so, it suggests a serious lack of judgement.

The most striking thing to me, having viewed the interview several times now, is his apparent lack of awareness as to how his performance might be perceived by an actual audience. The repetition of the expression "Newsnat" suggests some element of rehearsal although it is difficult to imagine anyone in what is left of the Labour Party in Scotland thinking that this was a good idea.

I think he just lost the plot and the grown ups in the Labour Party will be squirming with embarrassment at the very thought of it. Ms Lamont will, naturally, keep her head down and hope it just blows over.
 
 
# davemsc 2012-08-09 19:54
Yet again, Johann Lament shows a complete lack of leadership.
 
 
# MacSenex 2012-08-09 19:58
If Davidson is so confident about the legal advice he should have been asked if he would mortgage his home to pay for a legal challenge
 
 
# border reiver 2012-08-09 21:16
Davidsons attitude on Newsnight raises a few important questions regarding labours complaints of BBC bias towards the Scottish government and the independence campaign, for example what exactly is the nature of their complaints and have they been leaning heavily putting undue pressure on the BBC. This is something that should be pursued and make them produce evidence to back up their claims, also how far up the labour chain does this go?
 
 
# weegie38 2012-08-09 21:44
Well, we've known about the Silence of the Lamont for a while now.

I can't stretch the analogy to characterise Davidson as Hannibal Lecter, however.

Lecter was, for all his considerable faults, intelligent.
 
 
# Robabody 2012-08-09 23:06
Johann's favourite tune W38 is by Simon and Garfunkel - the Sound of silence. Quite appropriate given the opening line of "Hello darkness my old friend" especially in the dark behaviour that appears to be sanctioned by this "leader".
As I said the other evening, her reaction was more likely to be guan yersel Ian, than horror that a fellow female was being verbally abused.
And look at the reaction reported below by Fortitudine and from a "Lord" too. Makes you wonder why women are reluctant to come over to the concept of independence when the union offers this. Ah, well.
 
 
# Fortitudine 2012-08-09 22:46
Here's George Foulkes thoughts, just one of many similar tweets from him on the subject...

"George Foulkes ‏@GeorgeFoulkes
@NewsnetScotlan d Ian Davidson is a Labour folk hero. He puts biased, opinionated toffee-nosed media hacks in their place.Let's have more!"
 
 
# Jacko 2012-08-09 23:18
Quoting Fortitudine:
Here's George Foulkes thoughts, just one of many similar tweets from him on the subject...

"George Foulkes ‏@GeorgeFoulkes
@NewsnetScotlan d Ian Davidson is a Labour folk hero. He puts biased, opinionated toffee-nosed media hacks in their place.Let's have more!"


Question is George, did he do it deliberately?
 
 
# mealer 2012-08-09 23:02
What ever happened to Purcell ?
 
 
# WRH2 2012-08-10 00:02
I don't think anyone should under estimate how nasty misogynists like Davidson really are. His comments about "a doing" should not be ignored. His behaviour towards Isabel Fraser was worrying and given that he also threatened Dr Whiteford, he really needs help. This kind of behaviour very easily escalates into real violence if it hasnt already, especially if the perpetrator gets away with it. That someone like this should be an MP is just disgusting.
I read some of the comments on the article in The Herald and could not believe that some people thought what he did was right.
 
 
# ButeHouse 2012-08-10 00:32
I don't think this was a Labour Party attack on the BBC to balance the claims of obvious bias by the SNP but I do think it was Mr Davidson trying to demonstrate to labour Scotland how clever he was and that he should really be leader of Labour in Scotland with his giant ego.....I mean intellect - not to mention mouth.

Meanwhile Michael Kelly demonstrates yet again that you don't need brains to become a Labour Leader of Glasgow City Council or indeed a director at Celtic Park. He and Davidson are clearly sipping from the same cup.

These guys are excellent examples of why Scotland needs Independence. One look at Davidson or Kelly as reps of unionism is enough to send most sane people running in the direction of the YES Campaign.

VOTE YES
 
 
# J Wil 2012-08-10 10:07
"...Michael Kelly demonstrates yet again that you don't need brains to become a Labour leader of Glasgow City Council..."

I think you are correct there. The other night during a debate on Scotland Tonight the current leader of GCC demonstrated that he communicates with a kind of incoherant street lingo which you would not expect to hear from an apparently top politician who represents the city. I just wonder what foreign visitors to the city make of him.

I suggest to him that he - gony no do that.
 
 
# Jimbo 2012-08-10 00:46
Having watched the recording again I get the imptession that Davidson over egged the NewsNat thing.

The cynic in me says it was a set up to get the BBC off the hook re their anti independence bias.
 
 
# jjmac 2012-08-10 01:11
No Jimbo,
Ian Davidson is a nasty bit of work and he has a history of bullying women as Eilidh Whiteford will vouch for.
Moronic imbeciles as this guy have no right to be involved in proper political discussions because he is not capable of a cohehrent political argument without bringing
 
 
# Louperdowg 2012-08-10 01:11
I have no doubt that Isabel's husband, Douglas, will be fuming about this in his next blog.

It would be interesting to hear Brian Taylor and Glenn Campbells' thoughts on this as well.

They must be gutted that, after all their best efforts, Labour still think that the BBC support the SNP.

Must try harder, chaps.
 
 
# Guig 2012-08-10 02:01
Lament will never condemn anything. And you'll never receive an email from her (or her office) if you complain about the blatant lies she tells in Parliament.
 
 
# Dougie Douglas 2012-08-10 02:15
I don't think that Davidson's spat was some unplanned and over excited dummy spit.

Isabel Fraser is a rarity at the BBC, most of her peers are biased with that bias ranging from the subtle to the overt against the SNP and Independence not for it.

It is therefore from Davidson's twisted perspective true - Fraser is biased against Unionism by examining it is a neutral and dispassionate fashion.

The Labour Party and Unionism in general hate balance and objectivity and those like Fraser who practice it are to be taken out. We have just witnessed a very deliberate and planned move by Labour - Davidson is an attack dog and just the man for this dirty sort of work.

This whole episode is breathtakingly cheeky at best and an attack on democracy at worst. It's not over and you will see Labour continue to press this button - Fraser is not toeing the line and that is unacceptable in their eyes.

Labour Party = Nasty Damaged Goods
 
 
# drumoyneguy 2012-08-10 05:08
You have it spot on, that little stunt was probable coordinated between unionists at the bbc and the labour party, plus Davidson wants to keep his own personal profile high, so on the grounds that any publicity is better than none, thomas
 
 
# ScotsCanuck 2012-08-10 06:52
Hi all,

here is my "acid test" in all of this :-

Following Ian Davidson’s claims that the Labour party has officially complained several times about Newsnight Scotland, we contacted the BBC Scotland press department for confirmation. We asked the BBC Scotland press office to confirm if “the BBC has received complaints from the Labour Party about Newsnight Scotland and/or Isabel Fraser?”]

We REQUIRE confirmation of his alligations and if they can be proven FALSE then we bring him to book.

It is your game NewsnetScotland , as the old TV add said "go get 'em Floyd"
 
 
# Displaced Patriot 2012-08-10 08:44
There is more likelihood of Nick Clegg becoming the next Leader of the Tory Party than there is of hearing a peep out of Ms Lamentable.
She only does anti SNP rants .the reason is simple folks you need principles to condemn the behaviour of people like Davidson.
As with Trident ,Uni fees ,prescription charges ,Council Tax freeze Lamont will not say a word ,unless of course London orders her to speak .
Ms Lamentable does not have principles she is after all a London Labour British Unionist through and through
 
 
# tartanfever 2012-08-10 08:59
NNS - Labour have complained about the BBC very recently - just a few months ago. Milliband made a complaint about the air-time his lot were getting compared to the government.

In fact, just do a google search under 'labour complain about BBC' and it will bring up a host of articles on the subject from various media sources.
 
 
# Ready to Start 2012-08-10 09:02
Some good letters on Davidson in The Scotsman this morning.

scotsman.com/.../...
 
 
# gus1940 2012-08-10 09:29
After 2 days suspension of the Comments facility scotsman.com appears to have gone into near meltdown.

The site was abysmal prior to the launch of the 'new improved shiny scotsman.com' almost a year ago which has been an ongoing disaster and disgrace to new technology and its application to on-line news.

Several months ago JP appointed a new head honcho who apparently was an ex technical whizz kid from Microsoft and I along with many others hoped that his arrival would result in a revamp of Scotsman.com to at least bring it up to the standard of the original award winning site managed by Stewart Kirkpatrick which was thrown out and replaced by JP's woeful corporate offering.

Is it too much to hope for that the state of play of the last couple of days and this morning's near meltdown could be a sign that at long last some effort however fruitless is being made to bring the site up to a standard approaching that achieved by every other on-line newspaper in the world.
 
 
# Ready to Start 2012-08-10 10:15
Quoting gus1940:
After 2 days suspension of the Comments facility scotsman.com appears to have gone into near meltdown.

The site was abysmal prior to the launch of the 'new improved shiny scotsman.com' almost a year ago which has been an ongoing disaster and disgrace to new technology and its application to on-line news.

Several months ago JP appointed a new head honcho who apparently was an ex technical whizz kid from Microsoft and I along with many others hoped that his arrival would result in a revamp of Scotsman.com to at least bring it up to the standard of the original award winning site managed by Stewart Kirkpatrick which was thrown out and replaced by JP's woeful corporate offering.

Is it too much to hope for that the state of play of the last couple of days and this morning's near meltdown could be a sign that at long last some effort however fruitless is being made to bring the site up to a standard approaching that achieved by every other on-line newspaper in the world.


The good news is that Stewart Kirkpatrick will be running the YES campaign's online sites.

The bad news(?) is that former Daily Record political editor Magnus Gardham will be leading the Herald's anti SNP crusade pace his exclusive to-day on behalf of Ian Davidson.
 
 
# ButeHouse 2012-08-10 13:03
Particularly surprising letter from Bob Taylor, a former Labour Councillor from Glenrothes, one of Fife's brightest.

He is scathing of Davidson's attitude which he describes as "typical of Labour’s arrogant attitude to debate in Scotland".

Like Henry McLeish, Bob was vehemently anti Devolution in the 80s never mind anti Independence but now he seems to have joined Henry in the 'soft' unionist camp, not to mention moving gently towards Independence.

VOTE YES
 
 
# Davy 2012-08-10 10:20
Well I have just watched the Ian Davidson V Isobel Fraser fight na interview, and the overwelming view has to be, the man's an arse.

Honestly who was daft enough to vote for him ? at least come independence he will be out of a job, and the quicker the better.

Please for the sake of getting rid of Ian Davidson, Vote YES 2014
 
 
# davemsc 2012-08-10 10:46
19,863 Glaswegians were daft enough, and there seems to have been a hard core of at least 15,000 of them doing it for a fair few years. This man exemplifies why I've said for years that the vote is the most dangerous responsibility people are given, because it means that people like Davidson end up with a degree of power and influence which they ought not to be allowed anywhere near. I'm not, of course, arguing that the vote should be restricted: but it would be nice if people were to think about why they are voting for a particular candidate before marking their X.
 
 
# Old Smokey 2012-08-10 11:15
August 6th 2012 Flagged up to be presented by Isabel Fraser, but was presented by David Henderson
Main them was the Olympics

August 7th 2012 Flagged up to be presented by Gordon Brewer, but was presented by Isabel Fraser
Main theme the referendum and interview with Ian Davidson

August 8th 2012 Flagged up to be presented by Gordon Brewer and was presented by Gordon Brewer
Main theme Commonwealth Games

August 9th 2012 Flagged up to be presented by Gordon Brewer and was presented by Gordon Brewer
Main theme Scottish Exam results


Call me cynical, but Im slightly suspicious at the presenter and themes given to them to tackle. especially when the actual presenters differ on particular days
 
 
# daveniz 2012-08-10 11:28
lol now ian davidson says isobel frazer is part of a conspiracy how paranoid is he getting he must know his mp salary and future seat in the lords is at stake in 2014 because he is starting to sound like someone who can't get over the fact simple questions destroy his arguments!

snp.org/.../...
 
 
# Adrian B 2012-08-10 16:02
Since Tuesday night it would appear that Johann Lamont has had her fingers crossed hoping that things will get better.....
 

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