I’d hate to see us gain independence via dishonesty and manipulation

I am of the opinion that any decent Scottish government would not wish to be associated with such an individual, who is held in disrepute and completely lacking in respect.

Seeing the damage he has caused to the English Government with his manipulations and devious dealings, should be a warning to the Scottish Government and not a recommendation.

Apart from which, I would hate to see a new, free and open Scotland being achieved by dishonesty, manipulation and illegal practices.

It is essential that Scotland maintains the high ground and does not sink to the depths of the English Government.

Hugh McLean
Newton Mearns

WHAT a breath of fresh air Kevin McKenna’s column was in which he called for the SNP to have their own “Mr Nasty” in the likeness of the Tories’ Dominic Cummings. Kevin’s piece may have been a little tongue in cheek but at the heart of it is a feeling that I – and I imagine many others – have held for some time, that some of the hierarchy in the SNP and in the Yes movement generally have become too cosily complacent and have taken their eyes off the ball on independence.

It’s time for those of us who are disappointed and frustrated by the way the independence campaign seems to be in the doldrums to stand up and be counted.

Peter Swain
Dunbar

THE Scottish Government and its advisers still have a hang-up about testing asymptomatic subjects for coronavirus, on basis that the results can give false readings. This will have to change.

Research shows people can have Covid-19, while not displaying symptoms. In that case, is it not better to accept you may get some false results, but give yourself the chance of finding asymptomatics with the virus? Also, the risk of false readings is the reason many countries carry out repeat testing.

It is more than regrettable that community testing was abandoned throughout the UK in mid-March. It is fair to speculate that this was done due to resource constraints rather than the best scientific advice. Similarly, this week’s Panorama showed that the decision to downgrade the virus from being HCID (High Consequence Infectious Disease) appeared to be taken due to the lack of adequate PPE rather than following science.

Recently, there was news from the Faroes, that some persons (within a small sample) who had recovered from the virus were later found to test positive. So testing will be required for many months to come.

In Germany, the incidence of the virus has increased after some initial steps to come out of their lockdown. Until we are in a position to carry out mass testing combined with quick results to enable contact tracing and isolation, a prudent government would not relax our lockdown.

If you believe what it says, the UK Government now plans to carry out the testing of health and care staff irrespective of their symptomatic status (without any furore from Unionists about jumping the gun).So there is much for the Scottish Government and its advisers to ponder about future action. Let’s hope it follows the best advice to protect our citizens and isn’t hindered by concern about getting flak from political opponents (face coverings, how dare you!).

Roddie Macpherson
Avoch

SO some Scottish Tories and their allied Unionist hacks opine there is no Scottish border between Scotland and England? I suggest they read the welcoming road signs before uttering such an infantile and inciteful response in order to try to politicise any comment our FM makes during her daily statement to the media about the Covid-19 crisis.

Nicola Sturgeon’s pragmatic response to this nonsense was impressive and to the point as well as avoiding any political conflict at this time of crisis. I suggest to all Scottish independence supporters, let’s keep our powder dry until the appropriate time when it comes to dealing with these disrespectful Tories.

Remember they are the same people/hypocrites who deemed Boris Johnson a buffoon who they formally opposed in his quest to be the next UK PM and, by gum, did they eventually and embarrassingly “fall into line” with their leader, Ruth Davidson, deposed and relegated to the back benches of the Scottish Parliament. I look forward to the Scottish Tories’ political annihilation again in the 2021 election.

Bernie Japs
Edinburgh

WHEN will all the journalists, including those working for anti-Scotland editors, accept that our First Minister and Government are not accountable to them, but rightly to the people of Scotland? Their questions are seldom constructive, nor suggestive of any intention to assist in comprehension of our First Minister’s primary concerns, currently dominated by our collective and individual safety.

John Hamilton
Bearsden

PERHAPS it is a little unkind to say this, but Jim Sillars’s ramblings have made me think of the old adage that behind every successful man is a good woman. He does not seem to realise no-one with any sense and real care for Scotland’s future is interested in his views, only the Unionist media and those desperate to seize on anything that demeans Scotland and Scots.

It might be kind if someone close to him were to whisper in his ear that it’s time to sit down and shut up, before he completely destroys any honour history will award him for past success.

P Davidson
Falkirk

I AM puzzled by the motives of people who vote for the Goves of this world. There are many like him in Westminster who appear to be more concerned with self-promotion rather than working to create a fair and equal society across the UK. Despite stabbing Boris Johnson in the back on his first attempt to become Prime Minister, Gove has been given a Cabinet post now that Mr Johnson has succeeded in his ambition. Has Dominic Cummings advised the PM to keep his enemies close?

I wonder if Jim Sillars attended the same school as Gove?

Mike Underwood,
Linlithgow