SNP leader’s visit to Sark is criticised
Monday 17th May 2010, 2:29PM BST.
Prime Minister David Cameron, left, meets Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond after the election. (0970146)
THE First Minister of Scotland is going to visit Sark next month, but he might not be welcomed by all.
Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, is reported to be coming to the Bailiwick on 23 June.
The visit was announced in Sark’s Chief Pleas by the island’s ‘equivalent chief minister’, Charles Maitland.
That has drawn an outspoken response from Sark Estate Management in its Sark Newsletter, which is written by manager Kevin Delaney.
He questioned why Mr Salmond, who is noted for his pro-Scottish independence views, would have been invited.
‘It is a provocation: a slap in the face by Sark authorities to the Lt -Governor and an affront to the British Government and the Crown and Queen,’ said Mr Delaney.
He went on to demand that Mr Maitland explain the invitation. Mr Maitland was unavailable for comment.
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Mr Salmond is the elected First Minister of Scotland and leads the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh – which, incidentally, was opened by the queen. Kevin Delaney should check his facts before making such stupid and offensive comments.
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Get in there Super Trott
You can add to your autograph book for the price of a return ticket to Sark!
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Ignorant and ill informed. A poor reflection on the Channel Islands. Alex Salmond is also a member of the Queen’s privy council!
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That would be the Right Honourable Alex Salmond, one of Her Majesty’s Privy Councillors who offer counsel to the monarch, would it?
Perhaps the unelected Estate Manager should muse on that?
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I am, quite frankly, boggled by this reaction by Mr Delaney
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I have been to Guernsey & Jersey many times but I am left bemildered by Mr Deleany’s comments.
Our First Minister of Scotland is highly respected and should be treated as such. We Scots are very welcoming and accommodating to all who enter our country and would encourage you to visit to see for yourself.
I would like to think that the good people of Sark can see past their political beliefs and welcome The Rt Hon Alex Salmond in the way he would warmly greet each of you to his homeland of Scotland.
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a visit to sark by scotland’s first minister is an event of some interest – it is actually “news”. so why does the GEP mention the opinion of an estate manager called kevin delaney? who cares? delaney’s views are not news. why is our local independent newspaper acting as his mouthpiece?
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Such a small minded man. Mr Salmond is the elected first minister of Scotland. He is a member of the Privy Council and for many years held a seat in the Westminster parliament.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if we were all the same, NOT!
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Ms Fraser – I can understand why you think that Mr Delaney represents the people of Sark, given that our local newspaper seems to have a habit of re-printing every word that he utters without any critical or journalistic analysis or input.
However, Mr Delaney does not represent the views of the people of Sark (and especially not of any other of the Channel Islands) any more than your views are represented by an estate manager of a highland estate owned by a member of the English gentry.
I have experienced Scottish hospitality on many occasions and I am sure that Mr Salmond will experience plenty of hospitality on his visit to Sark.
I totally agree with kate b – the GP should treat this as proper news item in itself. But I don’t know why I’m disappointed as I should know better than to expect anything else.
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Perhaps we can get some opinions from actual inhabitants of Sark other than Cyber nats rushing in wildly to defend their prophet from criticism?
It is obvious from Mr Delaney’s comments that he feels very strongly about maintaining the Union, and that a visit by an individual who represents a political party whose ultimate aim is to put an end to what he obviously holds dear? Is somewhat incompatible with his beliefs.
Mr Delaney’s criticism’s seem no more outspoken than Mr Salmonds latest claim that Cameron Intends to “steal Scotlands money”, a week after a degree of fiscal autonomy was promised…..?
And surely seem less outspoken than some of the people commenting here (from Scotland) calling him an unelected estate manager, and thus not entitled to speak his mind? surely estate managers are allowed their opinion? or not so it seems when cyber nats are involved….
Eccentric would be the right word here to describe Mr Delaney’s comments … nothing much nothing else
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Rhaurie – I think you are missing the point.
Anyonne can disagree with Mr Salmond’s political and constitutional views (and many do, myself included) but the point is:
(a) Mr Delaney was wrong to say that inviting Mr Salmond is an affront to the Queen, given that he is a Privy Councillor
(b) (and more importantly) the private views of Mr Delaney are increasingly being treated as news in themselves. He is entitled to those views but the GP should give him no more airtime than the regulars at the White Rock Cafe.
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“that he feels very strongly about maintaining the Union” but not strong enough to pay tax there. :)
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I wonder will he arrive in a helicopter ?????
or sponsor a mooring ???
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The reporting of Delaney’s comments by GP is IMO justified as it shows the ‘outside world’ just what is happening on Sark, but it might have been better to point out that these might not be the thoughts from other Sark residents.
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