Scotland remembers Dunblane
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday spoke of “one of the darkest and most heartbreaking” days in Scotland’s history on the 25th anniversary of the Dunblane tragedy.
The First Minister yesterday posted a heartfelt message on social media, as Scots joined residents of the Stirlingshire town in quiet remembrance.
She wrote: “This day, 25 years ago, was one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history. Thinking today of 16 little children, their teacher and all those who still live with the pain. They are forever in our hearts.”
Sixteen P1 children and teacher Gwen Mayor were murdered when a gunman opened fire in a gym at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996. The Snowdrop Campaign in their memory succeeded in tightening UK gun laws
Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the tragedy “shocked not just Scotland, but the whole world. We must never forget all those who lost their lives on that terrible day. We must continue to tell their story.”
Rev Colin Renwick, minister at Dunblane Cathedral, said: “Many people in Dunblane will be marking this particular anniversary as they mark March 13 every year – quietly, privately and with respect for those who lost their lives in the tragedy of 25 years ago.
“They will also be remembering those whose grief will always be deepest, and the people who still, in one way or another, bear scars.”
This day, 25 years ago, was one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history. Thinking today of 16 little children, their teacher and all those who still live with the pain. They are forever in our hearts – Nicola Sturgeon yesterday
A plumber has admitting sending abusive and threatening tweets to SNP MP Joanna Cherry.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Grant Karte, 30, posted five messages to the QC last month, including one which read: “You don’t know me, or what I am capable of”.
Karte, an SNP supporter, pled guilty to sending messages that were “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character”. He will be sentenced next month.
The messages were sent the same day Cherry was dropped from her role as the SNP’S Westminster justice spokesperson.
After the case Cherry said some of the threats were of a sexual nature.
She added: “A recent survey of parliamentarians showed that while politicians of both sexes receive abuse and threats, it is largely female politicians who receive threats of sexual violence. I believe that this is a problem which requires to be acknowledged.”
Last week a Sunday Post investigation revealed the shocking extent of abuse of women in public life.
In this week’s edition, Elaine Smith – an MSP since 1999 – tells how that problem is now worse than it ever was.