Latest news with #ScottishLabour
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Former Glasgow Lord Provost bombarded ex in bid to win back
Philip Braat, 49, contacted the woman 122 times between July and September 2024. The messages included claims that Braat wished to end his life as a result of the woman ending their three-year relationship. Braat has represented the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward since 2007 and is subject to an investigation by Scottish Labour. Braat was the deputy Lord Provost in 2017 before taking on the senior role in 2020 until 2022. READ MORE: Three Glasgow killers stabbed vulnerable man before dumping body in close He left the position after the 2019 resignation of Eva Bolander amid criticism of her expenses claims. Braat was also the former convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority (SPA) and represented Glasgow at COP26. Braat was a member of the Law Society of Scotland, an honorary captain in the Royal Navy Reserves, and a member of the Glasgow Tree Lovers' Society. He pleaded guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single charge of stalking and a narrative of the facts was heard yesterday. The court heard that the pair entered a relationship in 2021 and went on to live together. The woman told Braat that she was ending the relationship in July 2024. She received an email the next day from Braat which included a purported resignation letter to his employer sent from his professional account. Prosecutor Paige Phillips said: "The woman thought that this was fake and to get her attention as well as to make her feel guilty." She later contacted Braat to emphasise the end of their relationship during a "very emotional and distressing" call. The woman also stated that she did not love him and wanted to get on with her life. READ MORE: Footballer Shaun Rooney "frightened" teen in alleged Glasgow chip shop assault Braat attempted to persuade her that the pair should be together and stated that he could "not live" without her." He said: "You better visit my parents and you better keep my legacy alive." The woman believed that this was in reference to Braat ending his life and he said: "I don't want to live without you." When asked if it was in reference to ending his life, Braat replied: "Maybe." Between July and September, the woman received 18 emails, 51 Instagram messages, 15 text messages, 37 WhatsApp messages and a LinkedIn message. Some of the emails contained "goodbye" letters to the woman and Braat's own family. The woman contacted the police and Braat was traced to his parents' address where he was found "safe and well." Braat's LinkedIn message, congratulating her on a professional award she received resulted in the woman going to the police. She stated that the messages were not nasty, but there was "no escape" from Braat, and she could "not cope any longer." Braat gave a "no comment" interview to police after his arrest. Solicitor advocate Andrew Seggie, defending, told the court: "He was at a low point and felt suicidal, and his focus was on winning the woman back during the period of the charge. "As a result of the passage of time, he accepts his behaviour overstepped the mark. He is genuinely remorseful. "He was the Lord Provost during the pandemic, and he said he felt additional pressure to assist those who lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic, together with his own constituents. "He was trying to manage this and juggle his own family issues, and the end of the relationship caused him to suffer a mental health breakdown during this period." Sentence was deferred again until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan to be addressed on the terms of a non-harassment order. READ MORE: Driver killed road worker dad of two at Dumbarton crash scene The sheriff stated that Braat, of the city's Broomhill, will be ordered to 60 hours of unpaid work when sentencing is imposed. Sheriff Mullan added: "It should not have taken the passage of time and hindsight to reach the conclusion that perhaps you overstepped the mark - that is why you are here today. "I understand that you have made it clear that it must have been traumatic and stressful for the woman concerned."
STV News
21 hours ago
- STV News
Former Lord Provost contacted ex-partner 122 times during stalking campaign
A former Lord Provost of Glasgow has admitted stalking his ex-partner. Philip Braat, 49, contacted the woman 122 times between July and September 2024. The messages included claims that Braat wished to end his life as a result of the woman ending their three-year relationship. Braat has represented the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward since 2007 and is subject to an investigation by Scottish Labour. Braat was the deputy Lord Provost in 2017 before taking on the senior role in 2020 until 2022. He left the position after the 2019 resignation of Eva Bolander amid criticism of her expenses claims. Braat was also the former convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority (SPA) and represented Glasgow at COP26. Braat was a member of the Law Society of Scotland, an honorary captain in the Royal Navy Reserves, and a member of the Glasgow Tree Lovers' Society. He pleaded guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single charge of stalking, and a narrative of the facts was heard on Friday. The court heard that the pair entered a relationship in 2021 and went on to live together. The woman told Braat that she was ending the relationship in July 2024. She received an email the next day from Braat, which included a purported resignation letter to his employer sent from his professional account. Prosecutor Paige Phillips said: 'The woman thought that this was fake and to get her attention as well as to make her feel guilty.' She later contacted Braat to emphasise the end of their relationship during a 'very emotional and distressing' call. The woman also stated that she did not love him and wanted to get on with her life. Braat attempted to persuade her that the pair should be together and stated that he could 'not live' without her.' He said: 'You better visit my parents and you better keep my legacy alive.' The woman believed that this was in reference to Braat ending his life, and he said: 'I don't want to live without you.' When asked if it was in reference to ending his life, Braat replied: 'Maybe.' Between July and September, the woman received 18 emails, 51 Instagram messages, 15 text messages, 37 WhatsApp messages, and a LinkedIn message. Some of the emails contained 'goodbye' letters to the woman and Braat's own family. The woman contacted the police, and Braat was traced to his parents' address, where he was found 'safe and well'. Braat's LinkedIn message, congratulating her on a professional award she received, resulted in the woman going to the police. She stated that the messages were not nasty, but there was 'no escape' from Braat, and she could 'not cope any longer'. Braat gave a 'no comment' interview to the police after his arrest. Solicitor advocate Andrew Seggie, defending, told the court: 'He was at a low point and felt suicidal, and his focus was on winning the woman back during the period of the charge. 'As a result of the passage of time, he accepts his behaviour overstepped the mark. He is genuinely remorseful. 'He was the Lord Provost during the pandemic, and he said he felt additional pressure to assist those who lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic, together with his own constituents. 'He was trying to manage this and juggle his own family issues, and the end of the relationship caused him to suffer a mental health breakdown during this period.' Sentencing was deferred again until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan to be addressed on the terms of a non-harassment order. The sheriff stated that Braat, of the city's Broomhill, will be ordered to 60 hours of unpaid work when sentencing is imposed. Sheriff Mullan added: 'It should not have taken the passage of time and hindsight to reach the conclusion that perhaps you overstepped the mark – that is why you are here today. 'I understand that you have made it clear that it must have been traumatic and stressful for the woman concerned.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
a day ago
- STV News
Former Lord Provost contacted ex-partner 122 during stalking campaign
A former Lord Provost of Glasgow has admitted stalking his ex-partner. Philip Braat, 49, contacted the woman 122 times between July and September 2024. The messages included claims that Braat wished to end his life as a result of the woman ending their three-year relationship. Braat has represented the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward since 2007 and is subject to an investigation by Scottish Labour. Braat was the deputy Lord Provost in 2017 before taking on the senior role in 2020 until 2022. He left the position after the 2019 resignation of Eva Bolander amid criticism of her expenses claims. Braat was also the former convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority (SPA) and represented Glasgow at COP26. Braat was a member of the Law Society of Scotland, an honorary captain in the Royal Navy Reserves, and a member of the Glasgow Tree Lovers' Society. He pleaded guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single charge of stalking, and a narrative of the facts was heard on Friday. The court heard that the pair entered a relationship in 2021 and went on to live together. The woman told Braat that she was ending the relationship in July 2024. She received an email the next day from Braat, which included a purported resignation letter to his employer sent from his professional account. Prosecutor Paige Phillips said: 'The woman thought that this was fake and to get her attention as well as to make her feel guilty.' She later contacted Braat to emphasise the end of their relationship during a 'very emotional and distressing' call. The woman also stated that she did not love him and wanted to get on with her life. Braat attempted to persuade her that the pair should be together and stated that he could 'not live' without her.' He said: 'You better visit my parents and you better keep my legacy alive.' The woman believed that this was in reference to Braat ending his life, and he said: 'I don't want to live without you.' When asked if it was in reference to ending his life, Braat replied: 'Maybe.' Between July and September, the woman received 18 emails, 51 Instagram messages, 15 text messages, 37 WhatsApp messages, and a LinkedIn message. Some of the emails contained 'goodbye' letters to the woman and Braat's own family. The woman contacted the police, and Braat was traced to his parents' address, where he was found 'safe and well'. Braat's LinkedIn message, congratulating her on a professional award she received, resulted in the woman going to the police. She stated that the messages were not nasty, but there was 'no escape' from Braat, and she could 'not cope any longer'. Braat gave a 'no comment' interview to the police after his arrest. Solicitor advocate Andrew Seggie, defending, told the court: 'He was at a low point and felt suicidal, and his focus was on winning the woman back during the period of the charge. 'As a result of the passage of time, he accepts his behaviour overstepped the mark. He is genuinely remorseful. 'He was the Lord Provost during the pandemic, and he said he felt additional pressure to assist those who lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic, together with his own constituents. 'He was trying to manage this and juggle his own family issues, and the end of the relationship caused him to suffer a mental health breakdown during this period.' Sentencing was deferred again until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan to be addressed on the terms of a non-harassment order. The sheriff stated that Braat, of the city's Broomhill, will be ordered to 60 hours of unpaid work when sentencing is imposed. Sheriff Mullan added: 'It should not have taken the passage of time and hindsight to reach the conclusion that perhaps you overstepped the mark – that is why you are here today. 'I understand that you have made it clear that it must have been traumatic and stressful for the woman concerned.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Details of Philip Braat's stalking emerge as sentencing deferred
The messages included claims that Braat wished to end his life as a result of the woman ending their three-year relationship. Braat has represented the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward since 2007 and is subject to an investigation by Scottish Labour. Braat was the deputy Lord Provost in 2017 before taking on the senior role in 2020 until 2022. He left the position after the 2019 resignation of Eva Bolander amid criticism of her expenses claims. Braat was also the former convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority (SPA) and represented Glasgow at COP26. Braat was a member of the Law Society of Scotland, an honorary captain in the Royal Navy Reserves, and a member of the Glasgow Tree Lovers' Society. Read More He pleaded guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single charge of stalking and a narrative of the facts was heard. The court heard that the pair entered a relationship in 2021 and went on to live together. The woman told Braat that she was ending the relationship in July 2024. She received an email the next day from Braat which included a purported resignation letter to his employer sent from his professional account. Prosecutor Paige Phillips said: "The woman thought that this was fake and to get her attention as well as to make her feel guilty." She later contacted Braat emphasise the end of their relationship during a "very emotional and distressing" call. The woman also stated that she did not love him and wanted to get on with her life. Braat attempted to persuade her that the pair should be together and stated that he could "not live" without her." He said: "You better visit my parents and you better keep my legacy alive." The woman believed that this was in reference to Braat ending his life and he said: "I don't want to live without you." When asked if it was in reference to ending his life, Braat replied: "Maybe." Between July and September, the woman received 18 emails, 51 Instagram messages, 15 text messages, 37 WhatsApp messages and a LinkedIn message. Some of the emails contained "goodbye" letters to the woman and Braat's own family. The woman contacted the police and Braat was traced to his parents' address where he was found "safe and well." Braat's LinkedIn message, congratulating her on a professional award she received resulted in the woman going to the police. She stated that the messages were not nasty but there was "no escape" from Braat and she could "not cope any longer." Braat gave a "no comment" interview to police after his arrest. Solicitor advocate Andrew Seggie, defending, told the court: "He was at a low point and felt suicidal and his focus was on winning the woman back during the period of the charge. "As a result of the passage of time, he accepts his behaviour overstepped the mark. He is genuinely remorseful. "He was the Lord Provost during the pandemic and he said he felt additional pressure to assist those who lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic together with his own constituents. "He was trying to manage this and juggle his own family issues and the end of the relationship caused him to suffer a mental health breakdown during this period." Sentence was deferred again until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan to be addressed on the terms of a non-harassment order. The sheriff stated that Braat, of the city's Broomhill, will be ordered to 60 hours of unpaid work when sentencing is imposed. Sheriff Mullan added: "It should not have taken the passage of time and hindsight to reach the conclusion that perhaps you overstepped the mark - that is why you are here today. "I understand that you have made it clear that it must have been traumatic and stressful for the woman concerned."
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Lesley Riddoch slams Labour benefits cuts on Question Time
Appearing on Thursday's programme in St Andrews, the journalist and broadcaster said that society has become more "precarious" and "adversarial" as she hit back at Labour's "unnecessary" plans to make it harder for people with disabilities to access benefits. Riddoch appeared on the programme alongside Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Conservative MP Andrew Bowie and Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr. READ MORE: 'Bizarre': Question Time called out as Reform councillor joins Scottish panel Shortly after the programme was broadcast, the UK Government announced it had partially U-turned on its proposals in a bid to win over more than 100 Labour rebels who were set to block the bill from passing. In a late-night letter to MPs, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that people who currently receive the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefit would be exempt from planned cuts to eligibility, while all current recipients of the Universal Credit health element – and any new applicants meeting the "severe conditions criteria" – will have their incomes protected in real terms. However, new claimants from November 2026 will still be subject to these changes in eligibility requirements, leading critics to condemn the decision as creating a "two-tier" welfare system. During a segment of the programme debating why Labour is cutting welfare and increasing defence spending, Riddoch told the Question Time audience: "There's been a 25% increase in the number of people committing suicide, dying of alcohol, of, of drugs since before Covid. "This is not like a snowflake generation. This is serious, serious mental health issues which I think are also related to a dog-eat-dog adversarial society where people are in precarious renting situations, precarious jobs. Everything's precarious that for my generation was not. "So you put that all together and you get, if you're unfortunate enough to be on Universal Credit, £100 a week. I'd like to see people managing on this. "For sure, this all needs to be looked at again, but in terms of the kind of benefits that Britain gives compared to other countries across Europe, we're still bumping along at the bottom." Riddoch added: "This seems to me to be a completely unnecessary attack on people who have got no capacity to come back and argue about this. "It's demeaning to end up being allocated points according to whether or not you can basically wash your undercarriage or not, because that's what it's coming down to. READ MORE: John Swinney rejects Reform UK coalition but leaves door open for Scottish Labour "I cannot believe that anybody who stood in any way as a socialist could possibly be looking at this as a viable solution to anything." Meanwhile, Somerville hit out at the Scottish Labour leader's continued support for the welfare cuts, even with one third of Scottish Labour MPs expressing their opposition. Addressing Sarwar directly, she said: "You can try and make this up as you go along, but you have for months, for months talked about your support for Keir Starmer on this issue. "Labour's own policies, which Anas in the past has defended, has meant that 250,000 people will get put into poverty, a Labour Government pushing 50,000 children into poverty. "That's why we've taken the decision not to do this in Scotland, because let's be very clear – this has nothing to do with helping people into work. "Adult Disability Payment, or PIP as it is in the rest of the UK, is a benefit that's there to ensure that the additional costs you have from being disabled or having a long term condition are assisted with. That's what it's about. "And actually, what the disabled people's organisations say, is if you cut that you're going to hamper people from getting to work. "The irony is we're going to have a Labour Government cutting money from disabled people, and what will happen? They'll struggle more to get into work, the pressure will build on our NHS, pressure will build on social care. "This will not deliver £5 billion worth of savings, even if (Keir) Starmer, with Anas's support, goes ahead with it." READ MORE: Scottish Labour lose by-election as minority administration under threat When asked by host Fiona Bruce if she was "happy" to see the welfare bill also increasing north of the Border, Somerville said: "Well what we've said up in Scotland all along is you have to have a robust social security system, but it is an important safety net for people." Bruce interrupted: "Ok, but that's not answering the question. Would you like to see reforms and cuts to the size of the welfare bill here in Scotland?" Somerville responded: "Well, with respect, it is answering that question, because we have to have a system that supports people who need it, so I will not support cuts if it takes away from the vulnerable. "I am happy that we have a Government that has the backs of disabled people, unlike Labour."
