Ian Hamilton QC

What words of Tommy Sheridan did the Scottish government fear we might hear when they considered stopping his mouth?

We must guard our right to hear even as we proceed towards independence.

I ask the question of the Minister for Justice as a loyal member of the SNP.

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I am delighted to see from one of my correspondents that it was the parole board who put on, and took off, this gagging order. The innocent family of one man found guilty have been put through far too much trouble and the government has done nothing to help. It made it easy to jump to the wrong conclusion.

God forbid that they should ever control the police but a few words of criticism of the nine police who terrified Mrs Sheridan and her three year old daughter would not have gone amiss.

Nevertheless I apologise to the government for my unjust criticism.

What will Scotland get from investing its share of UK money in the billions required for the high speed link between London and Birmingham?

How many Scots travel regularly between London and Birmingham?