Latest news with #JohnMurray
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
I'm not your typical Tory, I will take a pay cut to be a Glasgow MSP
John Murray, wants to lower your taxes but take a huge pay cut himself. He used to be in the SNP and he is tattooed from below the neck down. After spending time in the forces, working in London, and enjoying a well-paid career with a multinational company, Murray now wants to be a Glasgow MSP. READ NEXT:Charity's lifeline van smashed in vandalism attack in East End street He has been selected as the party's candidate for Shettleston and Baillieston at the Scottish Parliament elections next year, and he hopes to secure a prominent spot on the regional list. It's a tall order, but Murray says he is up for the challenge. (Image: Gordon Terris)READ NEXT:'Mass deportations' march in Glasgow to be met with counter protest The 32-year-old tattooed Tory has undergone a dramatic shift politically from being an independence-supporting SNP member. He explained his reasoning. He said: 'I began to question things more as I got older. "For my whole adult life, the SNP has been in Government in Scotland. 'Being in London for a time played a part. I saw opportunities there that were not afforded to people here. 'The constant push for a second referendum turned me off and finally the progressive taxation policy. My colleagues who live in England pay less tax than me. 'I am not against the well off paying more tax but we need to define what better off is. Earning £40 to £43k a year is not rich.' Growing up in Ayrshire, his parents, he said, 'were of the 'F**k the Tories generation'. But he takes a different view He said: 'The Tories are the party of if you work hard, you should keep more of your money and not be punished.' The difference between the Scottish and English tax policies is a big bugbear for him, He said: '£40,000 is not a lot to start taxing people at a higher rate.' READ NEXT:'I was attacked three times': Brave woman shares experience of homeless hotel READ NEXT:'Women are at risk': Petition calls for female only accommodation READ NEXT:The Belfast service hailed as a model for homeless women in Glasgow Murray thinks too many politicians are out of touch with the people. He said: 'I find politicians frustrating. Normal working people are not represented, it is the same suits who don't represent working people.' While he has a very well-paid job now, he said: 'I know what it's like to wonder if you can afford nappies.' He wants people to know more about him and who he is and why he thinks he could represent them. Murray said: 'I started work in a sawmill in Ayrshire "I moved to Glasgow last year and I am based here now and spend some time in London." He said he will take a wage cut. It would be a £20k wage cut to be an MSP just now. He said he will go further and take only the Living Wage as an MSP. He said: "To put my money where my mouth is, I've committed to giving away the majority of the MSP salary to local Glasgow charities, and instead living off the national living wage. "If I say I'm for the working class, then I should live like one too." Murray said: 'How can you understand what life is like for people if you haven't lived it. 'I spent four years in the army, I was in Cyprus for a time." After leaving the army, he said he got a job in a Sawmill in Irvine and became a trainee manager in forestry. He added: "My employer paid for my degree. Everyone needs a lucky break." He said personal circumstances also shaped his views. He said: 'My son died aged four from a brain condition. 'The midwives, doctors and nurses in the NHS were incredible but the NHS needs help. "My son's mother is Congolese and she came here as a refugee." He has concerns over the tone and nature of political debate, especially around immigration. Murray said: 'The mother of my son is a refugee. I don't like the racist undertones in political debate. 'We need to take the toxicity out of the immigration debate.' A striking feature is his body art. He said: 'It started when I was in the army and I kept it going for 12 years. Now there's no space left for anymore. 'I like having them but I hate getting them done. I have to use numbing cream. He has LIFE and HOPE inked on his fingers. A quote he said his gran often used 'where there's life there's hope'.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- BBC News
Six guilty of attacks including torching prison staff cars in Edinburgh and Lothians
Six men have been found guilty of a series of suspected gangland attacks including setting the cars of prison officers on fire outside a Heeps, John Murray, Lee Ridgway, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern targeted a number of victims in and around Edinburgh between late 2022 and early attack left a man with his hand "hanging off," while another saw a victim left in intensive care and a were found guilty of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The men will be sentenced next charges had been said to have had a connection with serious organised crime, but this aggravation was deleted by prosecutors at the end of the judge, Lord Mulholland, however, said the men had been found guilty of "out of control gangsterism". Machete attack Their first victim was attacked in Bilston, Midlothian in December 2022 when a gang attacked his car and smashed it up with bladed told a 999 call they had tried to "chop him up".Another man was targeted by a machete-wielding assailant near his home in Edinburgh's Pilton area on 5 January, said he attempted to fend off the attacker after he pulled up in a car and began striking him with the hand was almost completely severed in the attack, after which he was rushed to hospital and spent 12 hours in man said he thought he was "dying on the doorstep". Another man was targeted in a "high speed chase" between Edinburgh and was forced off the road and his car smashed into a wall. The man was left with a "large gaping wound" to his arm after he was struck with also needed a number of operations, has been left scarred for life and remains physically affected by the 7 January, 2023, six cars belonging to staff at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian were set on fire late at that month, another of the gang's victims was ambushed by masked attackers in the Ferniehill area of injuries were so severe he ended up in intensive care and a coma. 'Sinister' crimes The court heard all six men had lengthy criminal were caught thanks to CCTV and forensic evidence, as well as a handwritten note branding a potential witness "a grass".McGovern, 33, fled Scotland via Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute and onto went on travel to the Netherlands before going to Cambodia, VIetnam, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates before being caught and extradited back to was cleared of attempted murder, but was found guilty along with Heeps, Ridgway and Mullen of being involved in the blazes at 34, was convicted of eight charges including three attempted 32, was involved in three of the attempted murders and was convicted of eight found Bauld, 33, was involved in two of those attacks and Mullen, 26, one of 25, was convicted of five charges, including two attempted murders. Lord Mulholland told them: "You have been convicted, to varying degrees, of a number of serious charges which can only be described as out-of-control gangsterism."This was attacking a number of people with machetes to the extent one nearly had his hand chopped off."You also travelled to HMP Addiewell where you set fire to six prison officers cars – a sinister crime against the very people tasked with executing the orders of the added: "This was clearly intended to intimidate and send a message to those that worked at the prison." Det Supt Paul Grainger said the level of violence in the attacks was "completely unacceptable".He added: ""Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected."These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated."
Irish Post
19-06-2025
- Irish Post
‘Devastated' family pay tribute to grandfather murdered in his home
THE family of a pensioner who was murdered in his home said they are in 'complete shock' following his death. John Murray was found unconscious at home in Chiswick last year. Police officers were called to his address in Carlton Road, Chiswick on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Despite the efforts of emergency services to save his life, he was later pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem carried out later that month gave the 75-year-old's cause of death as a head injury. However, a murder investigation was now been launched by the Metropolitan Police after a pathology result found the injury had been caused by an assault. John Murray was murdered in his home In a statement issued today his family said they were 'devastated and in complete shock to learn that our dad and grandad was murdered'. 'John had so much more life to live,' they said. 'We are struggling to comprehend why someone would harm a 75-year-old defenceless man in his own home. 'We are appealing for anyone with information to please come forward and help the police get justice for our family.' Police issued a murder appeal today, calling for anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. 'John was a father and grandfather, and a well-liked neighbour who moved to Chiswick after retiring,' they said in a statement. 'Those who knew him said he was always offering to help others in the community. 'He was often seen riding his motorbike or in the communal gardens, which is where neighbours last saw him on Saturday, October 12, the day he died,' they confirmed. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, is leading the investigation. 'My thoughts are very much with John's family and the community at this tragic time,' he said. 'As part of our investigation, we need the public's help to piece together what exactly took place,' he added. 'Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial. 'If you were in the Chiswick area, especially near Carlton Road on Saturday, 12 October, you may be able to assist our investigation. 'Did you see or hear anything unusual around Carlton Road, for instance, any signs of a struggle or an argument? Do you have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage from the surrounding areas at the time of the incident? 'You may simply know John, or visited him at his flat. 'You may have spoken to him or noticed a change in him in the weeks leading up to his death. 'Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference 5382/12Oct, or by visiting the Major Incident Public Portal Website. 'Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.' See More: Chiswick, Investigation, John Murray, Murder
BBC News
19-06-2025
- BBC News
Murder investigation launched after fatal assault in Chiswick
A murder investigation has been launched after a 75-year-old man was fatally attacked in west Metropolitan Police were called on 12 October by the London Ambulance Service to an unconscious man at a residential address in Carlton Road, Chiswick. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and later identified as John Murray. A post-mortem examination found the initial cause of death was a head injury but a pathology test later found the injury had been caused by an assault. Police said Mr Murray had moved to Chiswick after was a father and grandfather, and a well-liked neighbour who always offered to help others in the community. He was often seen riding his motorbike in the communal gardens, which is where neighbours last saw him on 12 October, the day he a statement, Mr Murray's family said: "As a family, we are devastated and in complete shock to learn that our dad and grandad was murdered. "We are struggling to comprehend why someone would harm a 75-year-old defenceless man in his own home."Det Ch Insp Brian Howie from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, which is leading the investigation, said: "As part of our investigation, we need the public's help to piece together what exactly took place."Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial. "If you were in the Chiswick area, especially near Carlton Road on Saturday, 12 October, you may be able to assist our investigation."
Metro
19-06-2025
- Metro
‘Defenceless' grandad, 75, found beaten to death in his home
The family of a grandad found dead at home have said they are 'devastated and in complete shock' after detectives launched a murder investigation. John Murray, 75, died in Chiswick in October last year. A post-mortem held that month gave a cause of death as a head injury. But a pathology examination later found it had been caused by an assault. Mr Murray's family said in a statement: 'We are devastated and in complete shock to learn that our Dad and Grandad was murdered. John had so much more life to live. 'We are struggling to comprehend why someone would harm a 75-year-old defenceless man in his own home. We are appealing for anyone with information to please come forward and help the police get justice for our family.' A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police have launched a murder appeal following the fatal assault of 75-year-old John Murray in Chiswick last year. 'Officers were called on Saturday, October 12, by the London Ambulance Service to an unconscious man at a residential address in Carlton Road, Chiswick. 'Despite the best efforts of emergency services to save his life, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as John Murray. 'A post-mortem examination in October gave the initial cause of death as a result of a head injury. However, a murder investigation was later launched after a pathology result found the injury had been caused by an assault. 'John's family and investigating officers are urging any witnesses to come forward with information about the days leading up to his murder in Chiswick last year. 'John was a father and grandfather, and a well-liked neighbour who moved to Chiswick after retiring. Those who knew him said he was always offering to help others in the community. 'He was often seen riding his motorbike or in the communal gardens, which is where neighbours last saw him on Saturday, October 12, the day he died.' Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie said: 'My thoughts are very much with John's family and the community at this tragic time. 'As part of our investigation, we need the public's help to piece together what exactly took place. More Trending 'Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial. If you were in the Chiswick area, especially near Carlton Road on Saturday, 12 October, you may be able to assist our investigation. 'Did you see or hear anything unusual around Carlton Road, for instance, any signs of a struggle or an argument? Do you have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage from the surrounding areas at the time of the incident? 'You may simply know John, or visited him at his flat. You may have spoken to him or noticed a change in him in the weeks leading up to his death. 'Anyone with any information is urged to call police.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Severe rush hour delays on Tube lines after fire alert in east London MORE: Australian man shot dead in front of wife in 'gangland hit' at Bali villa MORE: New car-free streets in London 'just the beginning' of summer business boost
