SHERIDAN INDEPENDENCE RALLY IS SLATED
Disgraced politician Tommy Sheridan’s Hope Over Fear independence rally descended into farce yesterday after a screening of Braveheart backfired.
Fewer than 60 people turned up to watch what was supposed to be a 50-minute version of Mel Gibson’s William Wallace biopic.
But only around 15 minutes was aired – with sexual assault and public execution scenes featuring prominently.
SNP MSPs Alex Neil, Sandra White, Gil Paterson and Colin Beatie have been heavily criticised for speaking given Sheridan’s criminal past.
One onlooker said: “It was just a complete mess – more Monty Python than Braveheart I’d say.
“There must only have been around 60 people who turned up and the screen was cutting out all the time, so there was clearly some sort of technical hitch.
“When parts of the film did come on, it was only about 15 minutes at most – and they decided to include the scene when William Wallace’s wife is sexually abused by an English soldier and then her public execution, when a knife is drawn across her throat.
“It was inappropriate for a public square at 10am when there could have been children around.
“I’d say there was only around 1200 people at the most when the rally started properly after the film, it didn’t seem to be what the organisers had hoped for.”
Former Scottish Socialist Party leader Sheridan was convicted for lying in court at his defamation case against the News of the World and has been accused of i l l- treatment of women in his former party.
Despite his reputat ion, Sheridan received a donation of £1000 towards the cost of holding the event from The Proclaimers.
Speaking after the bungled Braveheart screening, he said: “Please put your hands together for Charlie and Craig of The Proclaimers for their £ 1000 donation, Charlie and Craig have sent us a wee message to wish everybody all the best.
“We hoped we were going to be able to play it on the big screen but you know that old adage ‘technical difficulties’, well I’m afraid that’s what we’ve got.”
After spot t ing a Union Jack flying above the City Chambers, he added: “I think Hope Over Fear has been a wee bit remiss this year, perhaps we haven’t created enough controversy, we haven’t put out enough publicity because it would appear Glasgow City Council were not aware we were coming because if they were aware we were coming here today
Sunday Mail