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The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Kirsty Wark asked me to fetch her a cup of tea and a Penguin biscuit
Certainly, she can appear regal to the journalistic peasantry. I remember a packed press conference where she breenged in with her crew. Suddenly we – self-important, like everyone in our trade – all felt like minions. She asked me to fetch her a cup of tea and a Penguin biscuit ('one with a green wrapper'). Wow. What ingredients went into creating such an imperious personage? Well, being born was a useful start. This auspicious event occurred on 3 February 1955 in Dumfries. Kirsty's father, who earned a Military Cross for heroism at Normandy, was a solicitor. A convivial raconteur, he also liked spending time on his own fly-fishing. 'I'm sure he was reflecting on the horrors of war, ' Kirsty told the I newspaper recently. Her mother was a teacher who, after one early Newsnight interview, phoned to complain that she'd split an infinitive. Poor Kirsty must have been tempted to tell her mother where to boldly go. She spent her early years in Castle Douglas before moving to Kilmarnock. After attending all-girl, 'independent' Wellington School in Ayr, she studied history, specifically Scottish Studies, at Embra Yoonie. In 1976, aged 21, Wark joined the BBC as a graduate researcher and soon became a producer for Radio Scotland, displaying enthusiasm and a willingness to make things happen. Wish I'd tried that. (Image: Jamie Simpson) BOXING CLEVER WARK switched to television in 1982, producing Reporting Scotland, Agenda and Current Account. She then moved into presenting various Scottish political programmes before moving to UK network television as part of the Breakfast Time brigade. In 1988, she reported on the Lockerbie bombing and, in 1990, made her mark as an interviewer when she confronted, so to say, Margaret Thatcher. The Iron Lady was incensed with her abrasive questions about the poll tax, and complained afterwards that she'd 'interrupted me more than I've ever been interrupted'. Later, it emerged that Wark had just learned she was pregnant with her first baby, and so was determined to remain 'preternaturally calm' for both their sakes. In 1993, she joined Newsnight, BBC 2's mumphing aboot politics show, in a role that was to last three decades. She stood down last summer, a week after the General Election. In her time, she has faced accusations of being too close to Labour. Donald Dewar, former Labour First Minister and a close friend, appointed her to a panel choosing the design for the new Scottish Parliament – with hilarious consequences! Later, the independent production company she co-owned was an awarded a BBC contract to make programmes about … construction of the Scottish Parliament building. Whoopsie. In 2005, she invited another Labour First Minister and long-time friend, Jack McConnell, now Lord McConnell of Proletariat, and his family to stay at her Majorcan holiday home over New Year. Doubt was cast on Wark's neutrality and suitability to anchor political programmes, with respected quality newspaper the Daily Mail dubbing the episode 'Villagate'. Importantly, it added that she had a 'big, almost masculine voice that belies a worked-on slim figure and good legs often hidden by trousers'. Trousers, ye say? However, several observers considered the 'scandal' overblown, with Newsnight's editor pointing out that many media peeps had old pals who went on to hold office. 'The important issue is your ability to ask tough questions and that is not a problem with Kirsty Wark …' READ MORE Rab McNeil: Get your Boots on, we're going shopping for unicorn hair gel Rab McNeil: No wonder the whole Scottish nation loves Nicola (no, not that one) Scottish Icons: William McGonagall - The poet who right bad verses wrote still floats some folk's vessel or boat Scottish Icons: There is a lot of tripe talked about haggis – so here's the truth ECK OF AN ATTITUDE ALEX Salmond was a problem for Kirsty Wark. In 2007, after an interview with then First Mniister, the BBC received 120 complaints from entirely disinterested individuals, and issued a public apology regretting Wark's 'rude and dismissive' tone. In 2020, after she presented a programme about Salmond's sexual assault trial – in which he was acquitted – more than 900 complaints of bias were made. Wark responded: 'Alex Salmond was found innocent, not guilty, there is no disputing that in any way. What we were doing was giving background to the whole thing, and we did that fairly.' Politically, she has described herself as 'soft left', with pals in all parties. Late Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy called her a 'fierce foe when the studio lights go on, great fun in the bar'. Late Labour MP Robin Cook MP said at least she let folk answer the question, 'unlike those from the Paxman and Humphrys school'. She herself describes her approach as 'forensic' – certainly leaves blood on the floor sometimes – and contends that she's professional enough to 'leave my own views at the door when I come to work'. Forby politics, she's right arty and, indeed, has written two novels. She presented BBC Two's Late Show from 1990 to 1993 and, in 2006, interviewed playwright Harold Pinter, resisting the temptation to get back at the old scrote by leaving long silences. She made cameo appearances in Doctor Who and Absolutely Fabulous. In 2013, she appeared on the inexplicably popular Great British Bake Off, but has resisted 'many times' invitations to do Strictly Come Dancing, another programme that has sapped the nation's morale. More consequentially, she has highlighted problems of the menopause, believing people are reluctant to discuss it. Moving swiftly on, two months ago she bagged a BAFTA Fellowship, with BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip praising her 'enormous charm and wit'. GA-GA FOR RADIO ALWAYS based in Glasgow, Wark has lately been appearing in BBC Scotland's Good For Her, in a running sketch that follows a woman who can't stop speaking as if she's delivering the news. Kirsty Wark misses the buzz of Newsnight, but is content for the moment presenting arts magazine show Front Row and history series The Reunion on BBC Radio 4. She likes claes and, in 2013, was deemed one of the 50 best-dressed over-50s by fashion magazine, the Guardian. In other news, we can reveal she loves gardening and homemade jam, having spent several years in recovery from an addiction to banana cake. Meanwhile, in the interests of truth, that currently under-rated concept in which she takes such a great interest, I should clarify that, at the start of this authoritative exposé, I was only joking about the cup of tea and a Penguin. It was a Twix.
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Devastating Afghan data breach a huge failing by Government, says former Army captain Doug Beattie
An Ulster Unionist MLA who served three tours in Afghanistan has slammed the Ministry of Defence's massive data leak that resulted in thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK as 'a huge failing'. Doug Beattie, who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in Afghanistan, said the breach was 'devastating' for the thousands of Afghans who helped UK forces against the Taliban.
Spectator
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Starmer's veteran woes are just beginning
As hundreds of veterans marching past the Cenotaph brought Whitehall to a halt yesterday afternoon, inside parliament a debate was held on the government's plan to repeal the Northern Ireland Legacy and Reconciliation Act. Passed by Boris Johnson, this aimed to prevent veterans from being prosecuted for all but the most serious crimes committed during the Northern Ireland 'Troubles' from the 1960s to 1998. Labour's bid to scrap the legislation has sparked fury among veterans – and has left Alistair Carns, the Veterans Minister, on resignation watch. The Westminster Hall debate on the subject, which was held after 176,000 voters signed a petition in protest, was quite a spectacle: the gallery was packed with berets; soldiers' medals twinkling in the light. Rows of veterans sat silently in the audience, bound by service to remain apolitical. Sketch writer Quentin Letts, who has sat in parliament for nearly 40 years, suggested it was 'the biggest turnout I have seen for a Westminster Hall debate.' That turnout is reflective of the strength of feeling on this issue. Speaking for the government was Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary. He told attendees that 'only one soldier' had been convicted of a Troubles-related death since 1998. He argued that of the 250,000 living veterans, 'the number being prosecuted for offences has been very, very small.' Benn said he acknowledged concerns but that Labour had no choice but to rewrite the legislation as it had been deemed incompatible with human rights law. At least one minister though, seems to disagree with Benn's views. The Times today reports that Carns could be on the verge of quitting. He surprised colleagues by turning up at a drop-in briefing last week on Labour's plans to repeal Johnson's legislation. Carns, a veteran himself, told Benn that he cannot support the proposals. It puts him on a crash course with both the Northern Ireland Secretary, who wants victims' families to be able to claim compensation, and the Labour manifesto. During the last election, Labour made much of Carns' candidacy. A winner of the Military Cross, he was thought to be a future head of the Royal Marines. Starmer's party hailed Carns as one of 14 veterans standing for parliament. Within days of the result, the Prime Minister appointed him a Defence Minister. To lose Carns on a point of principle so soon after his appointment would be an embarrassing blow to No. 10. It would also be a harbinger of what is to come. Stories about prosecutions for acts committed in the line of service are likely to be a staple feature of British politics over the next 18 months. Robert Jenrick and Dominic Cummings are among those who have raised the issue of the Special Forces. There are fears that historic prosecutions are deterring military recruitment today. Why fight for your country, the argument goes, when you might be prosecuted by a court 30 years later? Then there is the matter of Gwyn Jenkins, the new head of the Royal Navy. His appointment in May raised eyebrows in Whitehall, given his service as head of UK Special Forces in Afghanistan when alleged war crimes were committed. These are now the subject of a public inquiry. Should it find against Jenkins, how will a Starmer government – which features the likes of Lord Hermer – react? The Tories clearly sense an opening here. Led by David Davis, defence spokesman James Cartlidge and his deputy Mark Francois, this is an issue that is both deeply emotive and of immense potential political impact. Carns' threats and the public pressure show that this is an issue which is not going to go away for Starmer.
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Fury as woke Labour council bans Army vehicles – including open-top Jackal – from ARMED FORCES DAY parade
Labour's veterans minister Al Carns, who won a Military Cross in Afghanistan, slammed the decision Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUNCIL sparked outrage by banning Army vehicles including an open-top Jackal from Armed Forces Day celebrations today. The Labour authority's leader in York said the decision was due to 'residents' concerns' and fears of protests — and 'reflects our city's diverse views'. 1 A council sparked outrage by banning Army vehicles including an open-top Jackal from Armed Forces Day celebrations Credit: Crown Copyright/MoD But soldiers from local reserve unit the Queen's Own Yeomanry withdrew from the event in protest, defence sources told The Sun. One said: 'It was like asking the cavalry to come without horses. It is humiliating. 'They wanted to attend with the Jackal but they were told that they were not welcome.' A whistle-blower told the Fill Your Boots military blog that the council was worried about 'triggering a protest'. READ MORE ON ARMED FORCES SUNEMPLOYMENT How to join the Armed Forces and quick march into a rewarding military career But Labour's veterans minister Al Carns, who won a Military Cross in Afghanistan, said: 'The only reason people have the right to protest is because our military provide the freedoms to do so.' Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake slammed the ban as 'plain bonkers'. He said: 'This is a snub on our servicemen and veterans to appease a tiny minority. 'We shouldn't be ashamed of our military showing off their equipment and uniform, it's something we should be proud of.' Council chief Claire Douglas claimed it was 'a mutual, local decision'. Instead, the authority has promoted a new 'family friendly' Armed Forces Day Trail taking in the city's key military sites.
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Fury as woke Labour council bans Army vehicles – including open-top Jackal – from ARMED FORCES DAY parade
A COUNCIL sparked outrage by banning Army vehicles including an open-top Jackal from Armed Forces Day celebrations today. The Labour authority's leader in York said the decision was due to 'residents' concerns' and fears of protests — and 'reflects our city's diverse views'. Advertisement 1 A council sparked outrage by banning Army vehicles including an open-top Jackal from Armed Forces Day celebrations Credit: Crown Copyright/MoD But soldiers from local reserve unit the Queen's Own Yeomanry withdrew from the event in protest, defence sources told The Sun. One said: 'It was like asking the cavalry to come without horses. It is humiliating. 'They wanted to attend with the Jackal but they were told that they were not welcome.' A whistle-blower told the Fill Your Boots military blog that the council was worried about 'triggering a protest'. Advertisement But Labour's veterans minister Al Carns, who won a Military Cross in Afghanistan, said: 'The only reason people have the right to protest is because our military provide the freedoms to do so.' Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake slammed the ban as 'plain bonkers'. He said: 'This is a snub on our servicemen and veterans to appease a tiny minority. 'We shouldn't be ashamed of our military showing off their equipment and uniform, it's something we should be proud of.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun Council chief Claire Douglas claimed it was 'a mutual, local decision'. Instead, the authority has promoted a new 'family friendly' Armed Forces Day Trail taking in the city's key military sites. Prince of Wales meets troops on visit to military base in Estonia
