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The Herald Scotland
20-07-2025
- 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.
The Herald Scotland
16-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Pensioner accused of stalking BBC Scotland news presenter
Green faces a charge of engaging in conduct which caused the 39 year-old journalist fear and alarm. It is claimed the OAP repeatedly sent letters, poems, cards and gifts for Miss McAlpine to the BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow's Pacific Quay as well as to her home. Green is also said to have turned up at her property uninvited, loitered outside and asked to come in. READ MORE: He then faces a separate charge that he was subject to an "undertaking" to appear at court in January this year in connection with the alleged offence. Green had been ordered not to approach, communicate or contact Miss McAlpine. But, it is claimed that on November 14, 2024 he went near where she lived and again tried to get in touch with her. On a further charge sheet, Green is also said to have not shown at a court date in January this year. The case called this week for a summary hearing - a case with no jury - at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Green, of the city's Hillhead, was not present. His lawyer Ron Mackenna said he had reported having "serious surgery" a few days earlier and was unable to leave home. A sheriff told the solicitor that Green must provide proof of that by this week or a warrant will be issued for his arrest. The case will again at a later date. Miss McAlpine is best known for presenting Reporting Scotland and Landward. She has also been the narrator for the Scotland's Home of the Year show.
The National
16-06-2025
- The National
Glasgow man accused of stalking BBC Scotland presenter for years
Green faces a charge of engaging in conduct which caused the 39-year-old journalist fear and alarm. It is claimed that he repeatedly sent letters, poems, cards, and gifts for McAlpine to the BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow's Pacific Quay as well as to her home. Green is also said to have turned up at her property uninvited, loitered outside, and asked to come in. Green had been ordered not to approach, communicate or contact McAlpine. But, it is claimed that on November 14, 2024, he went near where she lived and again tried to get in touch with her. On a further charge sheet, Green is also said to have not shown at a court date in January this year. The case called this week for a summary hearing – a case with no jury – at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Green, of the city's Hillhead, was not present. His lawyer, Ron Mackenna, said he had reported having "serious surgery" a few days earlier and was unable to leave home. A sheriff told the solicitor that Green must provide proof of that by this week or a warrant will be issued for his arrest. The case will be called again at a later date. McAlpine is best known for presenting Reporting Scotland and Landward.
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Pensioner accused of stalking BBC star after ‘sending gifts and going to her home'
The OAP is also said to have not shown at a court date 'DON'T APPROACH' Pensioner accused of stalking BBC star after 'sending gifts and going to her home' A PENSIONER is accused of stalking a BBC Scotland news presenter for almost four years. Robert Green, 70, allegedly harassed the Beeb's Anne McAlpine between February 2021 and November 2024. Advertisement 2 Anne McAlpine filming an Isle of Skye telly special for Landward Credit: Instagram/annemcalp Green faces a charge of engaging in conduct which caused the 39-year-old journalist fear and alarm. It is claimed the OAP repeatedly sent letters, poems, cards and gifts for Miss McAlpine to the BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow's Pacific Quay as well as to her home. Green is also said to have turned up at her property uninvited, loitered outside and asked to come in. He then faces a separate charge that he was subject to an "undertaking" to appear at court in January this year in connection with the alleged offence. Advertisement Green had been ordered not to approach, communicate or contact Miss McAlpine. But, it is claimed that on November 14 2024 he went near where she lived and again tried to get in touch with her. On a further charge sheet, Green is also said to have not shown at a court date in January this year. The case called this week for a summary hearing - a case with no jury - at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Advertisement Green, of the city's Hillhead, was not present. His lawyer, Ron Mackenna said he had reported having "serious surgery" a few days earlier and was unable to leave home. A sheriff told the solicitor that Green must provide proof of that by this week or a warrant will be issued for his arrest. The case will be heard again at a later date. Advertisement Miss McAlpine is best known for presenting Reporting Scotland and Landward. She has also been the narrator for Scotland's Home of the Year show.
The National
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Swinney must throw off shackles of platitudes and demand our freedom
Most people recognise that Britain is broken but the BBC's blatant stage-management of public discourse on behalf of the UK Government and the British Establishment echoes George Orwell's dark warnings of media control, where a Hamilton by-election 'Debate Night Special', conveniently given the apparent debating skills of the Labour candidate, did not include any of the candidates. This was followed on Thursday night by another 'BBC Special' focusing on Glasgow with two Labour Party representatives but only one SNP representative and no representative from the Scottish Greens. This blatant bias is a democratic outrage from a proclaimed 'impartial' public broadcaster where polls consistently show support for independence at greater than 50%. Through partial and slanted 'news', the public is being deliberately misled into thinking that the Labour Party can fundamentally 'change' broken Britain and that if more radical 'change' is necessary we should listen to the 'voice of Brexit'. The incessant denigration of all areas associated with the Scottish Government, especially the NHS, does not cease at the end of First Minister's Questions but is repeated nightly in Reporting Scotland bulletins while the fourth largest party at Westminster is rarely represented on the BBC's Politics Live panels which often include 'Brexit voices' now in Brexit denial. So how can the people of Scotland give voice to their aspirations within the democratically decadent structures of the UK? Where the SNP appear to be erring is in believing that the public who have been condemned by Westminster to austerity and failing public services for more than decade can see through the British Establishment mirage and realise that the 'fundamental change' that is necessary for Britain can only be delivered through Scottish independence. John Swinney may have steadied the SNP ship (which still disturbingly for any semblance of genuine UK justice has the cloud of Branchform hovering over it) but can he now assertively steer the ship through choppy waters to a new harbour beyond the control of London? Being honest and respecting your opponents are admirable personal qualities but Keir Starmer has demonstrated, in spite of his initial warm words, that he does not respect Scotland as evidenced through repeated decisions made at Westminster without consultation with the Scottish Government, even in a devolved area such as fishing. In other words, Starmer is treating Scotland with the same contempt as his Tory predecessors. Swinney's recent call for Starmer to honour the previous commitments of those PMs to Scotland on funding for the Acorn carbon capture project will regrettably only be advanced when Starmer sees political advantage to UK Labour at Westminster. Starmer's declaration that no matter the wishes of the people of Scotland, there will be no referendum as long as he is prime minister, demonstrates that democratic principles mean nothing to a prime minister who has already abandoned any social or moral principles he may have held with policies that have enriched the wealthy while the poor and disadvantaged, along with the people of Gaza, have been left at the mercy of those without any principles. This humanitarian scourge must be ended through robustly presenting the many arguments favouring independence which show that there is a better path for our people and for our children. For the SNP, this means recognising that the time has come to start acting in the manner of which they have misleadingly been persistently accused by their political opponents of focusing all their efforts on independence. The time for the First Minister being 'Mr Nice Guy' with the UK Government has passed as the Scottish public want the 'real change' that can only be delivered by the people of Scotland determining their own future. It's time for John Swinney to throw off the shackles of political courtesy and parliamentary rectitude within a manifestly corrupt UK political structure serving the British Establishment and refocus the efforts of the SNP and the Scottish Government on the critical fight for Scotland's future. Stan Grodynski Longniddry, East Lothian IN the two glossy flyers I delivered on behalf of the SNP in the Hamilton by-election with 300 to 400 words in each, there was NO mention whatsoever of the word Independence. Why no independence from the SNP? Are they ashamed of the word? It is the only idea that generates optimism and hope and breaks down the apathy and disillusionment currently around. 9000 SNP voters didn't vote for the party this time over 2021. That's more than the total SNP vote this time. SNP managerialism fixing rotten Labour policies won't cut it. Thom Cross Carluke
