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D'Artagnan

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Everything posted by D'Artagnan

  1. D'Artagnan
    (1) Why would there need to be balance - or have I posted something which you are suggesting is infactual ? (2) Why would anyone want to destroy the RST ? Im addressing why I feel there is a permanence about the devaluing referred to earlier .
  2. D'Artagnan
    Perhaps much of what I refer to will be going over old ground – particularly on this forum where Im aware some of the members on here were personally involved – but I think failing to address or revisit some of these incidents would fail to recognise why that “devaluing” has had such a permanence about it. I’m also aware that there are posters, particularly online, who have a personal dislike for Mark Dingwall or the RST, I think at times they themselves have provided ammunition that criticism of the RST was solely down to personal differences with him – and they have not helped matters, in fact they have probably contributed to a failure to get at the root of the problem. In my opinion the resignation of Alan Harris, as Secretary on the 12th August, 2010, was a severely damaging blow, due to the financial irregularities he alluded to, at the heart of his resignation. The situation was further exacerbated by attempts to discredit and vilify Mr Harris. People can quote definitions of loans – or whatever else – as much as they like, for those of us familiar with committees or charities the situation where a considerable sum of money, which is meant to be furthering the aims and ambitions of an organisation, is actually sitting in a member’s account is quite simply – totally untenable. (Particularly in lieu of the timescales involved which I understand were September 2008 to August 2010) Instead of attempting to justify or deflect blame for this unedifying incident onto Mr Harris, the RST should have acknowledged the considerable failings of governance, and as matter of both honour and protecting the reputation of the organisation - I feel Mr Dingwall should have tendered his resignation from the board immediately – all in all a damage limitation exercise. I have read on various forums since this incident, criticism that Mr Harris was a stickler for propriety and doing everything by the book – I would suggest that for an organisation entrusted with the money of others, and which in due course would seek investment from fans in the various schemes they would run – I would respectfully suggest that Mr Harris’ ensuring that everything is above board and done by the book is a considerable plus rather than a negative. Instead of resigning however Mr Dingwall continued to rise in prominence within the RST and it was apparently the militant direction he wished to take the Trust which was the cause of the numerous board resignations of Malcolm McNiven, Scott McMillan and fellow board members Callum Renton, Derek Howie, Stuart Franklin and Andy McGowan. Now recently we have serious allegations of e-mail hacking, accompanied by more board resignations – not being au fait with the full circumstances, and considering the severity and consequences of the allegations being made – Im not going to comment further on this matter. For people willing to rise above the petulant tribalism of personal dislike or criticism of an organisation these circumstances still merit considerable cause for concern – perhaps the RST need to realise that’s where a great many of us are coming from.
  3. D'Artagnan
    Privately or publicly on here ? - either way I wont be holding back
  4. D'Artagnan
    http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/le-guen-s-rough-ride-at-tynecastle-1-1129531
  5. D'Artagnan
    That probably sums up everything which requires to be rectified within the RST CB
  6. D'Artagnan
    I would respectfully suggest to you its the failure to rectify the mistakes you allude to which has made the devaluing so terminal. No man is bigger than the club - no man should be bigger than the Trust. Deity or otherwise.
  7. D'Artagnan
    That whole thread has gone totally pear shaped - some particularly serious allegations being levelled on it.
  8. D'Artagnan
    Well said that Juan Guy !
  9. D'Artagnan
    Apparently the State Aid enquiry has been on the go for months as well - saw Shane from CRO quoting Spiers who claimed to have known about it for months. Perhaps Graham wasn't so "comfortable" writing about it - hence his silence
  10. D'Artagnan
    Well firstly - I dont think anyone has asked the Police to become involved - you asked and were furnished with an answer. Secondly the type of State Aid offered by government to prop up ailing banks is a different kettle of fish from a local authority providing assistance to a football club. You only need to ask EU who are conducting a number of investigations into the latter. My concern would be that there appears to be a double standard with regard to where the press "wade in". They were happy to wade into the Rangers Tax Case - but didnt want to do any more wading when it became apparent in a document published by Lord Nimmo Smith that the evidence in that case had been stolen.
  11. D'Artagnan
    PJZ has reported his findings to a variety of authorities - who he is in regular contact with as he provides them constant updates on his findings - whether any of these agencies are Police Scotland - you would have to ask him yourself. It should be borne in mind however his main thrust to date has been to prove allegations of State Aid. At some point, should those allegations be upheld then the mechanism used to provide that State Aid, I think that will be the time to consider criminal accountability. Though if evidence of criminal conduct was identitfied in the documentation he has made public - I would imagine that would take priority for the Police Service.
  12. D'Artagnan
    The various anomalies in this case Bossy are in the public domain - I thought our law enforcers were supposed to be pro-active these days. Or does that just cover naughty words on footie forums ?
  13. D'Artagnan
    Chris Ask any Rangers fan on here (or any other forum for that matter) - we cannot trust them to report accurately or without bias in respect of our club - it took a complaint to the highest echelons of the organisation to force them to even acknowledge us as the same club.
  14. D'Artagnan
    It seems like the succulent lamb has moved fields. I doubt there would be many Rangers supporters who, after what has transpired over the last three years, who would suggest some of the articles written about our club were merely “puff journalism”. Of course they didn’t have to dig too deep – after all the Rangers Tax Case Blog and BBC Scotland’s “The Men who Sold the Jerseys” had done all the work for them - all our media had to do was apply their own opinions to the information which was readily available – despite the questionable source and interpretation of that information. And apply their opinion they did, as we all know. Time and time again. They drooled, they dribbled, they salivated over questionable events surrounding our club. But what they didn’t do was dig. No small wonder then that Thomson is also on record as saying : And you know what ? He is right. It finally dawned on me when Lord Nimmo Smith’s SPL Commission report contained the startling revelation that the material used by BBC Scotland in the aforementioned documentary was actually evidence which had been stolen from the Rangers Tax Case. And the response from our media ? Not even a murmur. The fact that the evidence in a case they had milked, salivated, opinionated, discussed in such minute detail had been stolen, appears not to even have raised an eyebrow of curiosity. Imagine for a moment the OJ Simpson trial – and it was discovered the infamous glove had been stolen from the evidence cabinet and the media hadn’t raised a murmur ? Nope – I can’t imagine it either.. But of course this is Scotland land of lazy, sycophantic and incapable of asking awkward questions journalism. Perhaps no-one in the Scottish media wants to ask questions of their own – the journalists at BBC Scotland who received and retained the stolen evidence – a kind of “closing ranks” if you like. Or could it be that for a Scottish Print media in dire trouble, evidenced by the recent voluntary redundancies at The Scotsman, the occasional appearance on BBC Sportsound is a nice little earner in uncertain times ? When the Rangers Tax Case received the Orwellian Award it was hailed as :- It seems history may be on the verge of repeating itself. As the blogger behind Football Tax Havens, ably assisted by the tenacious PZJ, asks searching questions of land deals between Glasgow City Council and Celtic FC, one could be forgiven for thinking that this topic appears to be “off limits” for the Scottish media. Perhaps in the near future another blogger will win an award hailed as ““Displaying focused contempt for those who evade difficult truths, and beating almost every Scottish football journalist to the real story” And if he does – you can bet your bottom dollar there will be even more voluntary redundancies within the Scottish Print media.
  15. D'Artagnan
    I would hope so - every time he comes on he gives us something which was sadly lacking.
  16. D'Artagnan
    I received an update in December via my MSP who had enquired with Police Scotland. Enquiries ongoing apparently.
  17. D'Artagnan
  18. D'Artagnan
    Niraj Can I ask you did you consult with any Rangers fans as to how they would want the story to be told ? I think most of us are well aware of our club's history and have probably viewed most of the goals you will feature. Considering the raft of injustices and malevolence our club has suffered these last 3 years - there is certainly a documentary to be made. Might I respectfully suggest you read the Book "Follow We Will" published by the Rangers Standard - then perhaps you will be able to produce the type of insightful documentary which can only be reflected by walking about in our shoes - so to speak. Kind Regards D'Artagnan
  19. D'Artagnan
    Yep thats it sanny
  20. D'Artagnan
    5.33 Hectares is equivalent to 13.17 acres 7 Acres is equivalent to 2.83 hectares Its a strange place to start an article such as this, but it’s importance and relevance will become eminently clear in due course. Many of you will be aware of PZJ – he is the bear who has been particularly busy on the football tax havens website investigating allegations of State Aid by Glasgow City Council. His investigations and findings proved to be the catalyst to the launch of the EU investigation into allegations of State Aid to Celtic FC. During the course of this investigation he has been tenacious. Freedom of Information Requests, letters, e-mails and phone calls, as well as hours of internet searching and obtaining copies of records (often at his own expense) On the 28th August, 2013, PZJ wrote to Glasgow City Council with yet another Freedom of Information Request pertaining to the following :- On the 11th September 2013, Glasgow City Council duly responded. It is a lengthy response, the relevant and pertinent extract of which is quoted verbatim below :- © Westthorn Recreational Park Following negotiations, the DV, the Council’s and Celtic’s Chartered Surveyors agreed a valuation for the site, based on: A density of 160 units agreed with the Council’s planning department. The units were agreed at £26,187.50 (based on comparable evidence available at the time of the transaction) The Council’s Geotechnical Team investigated the site to determine the extent of the abnormal ground conditions. Abnormal ground conditions were agreed at £3,515,000 (Appendix 1 describes abnormal ground conditions) The original area for the site was 13.5 acres. After a previously unknown blast zone was identified, this was subsequently reduced to 7 acres. 160 units @ £26,187.50 = £4,190,000 Less abnormals £3,515,000 Resultant land value £675.000 I would draw your attention to the assertion – “The original area for the site was 13,5 acres. After a previously unknown blast zone was identified this was subsequently reduced to 7 acres” However PZJ was not satisfied with the information provided and subsequently obtained, from Companies House, a copy of the mortgage charge document relating to this property. It can be viewed here :- https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/Purchase/ViewDocument/17642527 As you can see from the document the area of land referred to is 5.33 Hectares (13.17 acres) at Westhorn, which appears to be at odds with the Council assertion of 11th September, 2013, where they asserted that :- “The original area for the site was 13.5 acres. After a previously unknown blast zone was identified, this was subsequently reduced to 7 acres.” Perhaps someone at Glasgow City Council or Celtic FC would be kind enough to explain to us these apparent anomalies.
  21. D'Artagnan
    Tomorrow I will publish a blog, containing documentary evidence, which asks some searching questions of GCC I will also post it on here.
  22. D'Artagnan
    Our intrepid PZJ is in need of assistance – anyone with a modicum of search experience would be most warmly welcomed. That GCC geotechnical report for Westhorn and other sites, alluded to in my previous blogs on behalf of PZJ – has proven it's adept ability for elusiveness. “They seek it here, they seek it there”... On the 16th October, 2013, PZJ wrote to GCC as follows : "I have asked, and you have constantly failed to provide solid proof, that the geotechnical report be fully disclosed to the general public for perusal." GCC responded as follows : “As advised in our earlier letter to you of 11 September 2013, in accordance the decision of the Court of Session set out in Glasgow City Council and Dundee City Council v Scottish Information [2009] CSIH 73, you have the right to the information set out in a requested document, but not to the actual document itself. We therefore provided you with an extract from the geotechnical report and set out the basis upon which a valuation was agreed for the site. I agree with the decision that was made in our earlier response to release an extract of the report to you “ Only that extract was never received in the subsequent correspondence. PZJ's attempts to obtain same thereafter were met with a stony wall of silence. Perhaps we should all come to PZJ's assistance and ask for an extract into the geotechnical report regarding Westhorn – one which reveals the level and nature of the bio-checmical (or otherwise) contamination at Westhorn as calculated by the Council's surveyors. This can be done be sending an e-mail to foi@glasgow.gov.uk But I’m afraid there is more work for those of you with a penchant for searching and finding things, as PZJ appears to have found another anomaly in his investigation. The London Road School was acquired by GCC as part of a Compulsory Purchase Order (dates and costs have been requested under FOI). Having decided in due course that they no longer required this land, GCC were bound by what is known as Crichel Down Rules http://www.bllaw.co.uk/services_for_businesses/commercial_real_estate/news_and_updates/the_crichel_down_rules.aspx to offer first refusal on the subsequent sale of the property to those from whom the land was acquired – in this case Celtic FC. A GCC Executive Committee document dated 19th January, 2007 confirms same. This is further confirmed by a later GCC Executive Committee meeting. http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewSelectedDocument.asp?c=e%97%9Di%93ny%8A Note section 4 of this report where it refers to the London Road School. GCC Executive Committee of 19th January 2007 approved an option for Celtic PLC to acquire the former London Road Primary School at a cost of £300,000 with the price being uplifted from the date of the option contract ( 01 April 2009) until the date of settlement. Celtic PLC has confirmed to the Council it wishes to exercise this option. Celtic PLC has agreed to pay £300,000 plus RPI from the 01 April 2009 until the date of settlement. The RPI has been calculated by City Property at £57,000 (to 31st October 2013) resulting in a total sale price of £357,000. The RPI figure will require to be further uplifted following formal agreement on the date of settlement. The RPI is based from ist April 2009 until 31st October 2013. There is no mention or explanation regarding the apparent ignoring of the previous commitment to the 3 year option of 19th January 2007. But the confusion does not end there. On the 8th October, 2013, PZJ wrote to GCC seeking clarification on the London Road School. He revived the following response on the 12th November, 2013.. “You have been advised in previous correspondence from the Council that the former London Road School site has not been sold to Celtic Football Club. As you are now aware, an option to purchase has been granted to the football club and expires in April 2014” Therefore anyone who can find minutes of a GCC meeting approving an extension on the previous 3 year option to buy from 19th January, 2007, and the grounds for such an extension being granted – your help would be greatly appreciated. foi@glasgow.gov.uk
  23. D'Artagnan
    Those of us who have been following PZJ's investigation into allegations of State Aid offered to Celtic FC by Glasgow Greater Council, will be aware of a common theme emerging – an apparent failure or reluctance by GCC to provide information relating to abnormal conditions on some of the sites surveyed. Earlier this month I commented on the strange tale of the District Valuer brought in by Glasgow City Council to provide valuations in respect of several portions of land being considered for sale by GCC some of which were eventually sold to Celtic. Alas it's not only the District Valuer who is being kept in the dark with regard to these abnormal conditions but also our very own PZJ. His request for the geotechnical reports relating to the abnormal conditions present at these sites has been refused by GCC. On the 16th October 2013 he asked GCC for the geotechnical report to be released and was met with the following reply :- “As advised in our earlier letter to you of 11 September 2013, in accordance the decision of the Court of Session set out in Glasgow City Council and Dundee City Council v Scottish Information [2009] CSIH 73, you have the right to the information set out in a requested document, but not to the actual document itself. We therefore provided you with an extract from the geotechnical report and set out the basis upon which a valuation was agreed for the site. I agree with the decision that was made in our earlier response to release an extract of the report to you. “ In keeping with many local authorities Glasgow City Council is committed to improving transparency and engagement :- http://www.gcvs.org.uk/news_and_information/news/2188_councillors_vote_to_improve_transparency_and_engagement in fact it claims to be “groundbreaking” in it's approach to openness http://data.glasgow.gov.uk/ However it is neither transparent nor groundbreaking to hide behind previous decisions of the Court of Session in order to prevent the disclosure of information. It only serves to highlight ones suspicions and concerns as to what is actually contained within the report . Surely a complete disclosure would negate once and for all any suggestion of impropriety over this sale, and in addition completely usurp any wild and unsubstantiated claims the abnormals had been exaggerated in order to reduce the price. At Westhorn for instance the abnormal conditions were agreed at £3,515,000. What exactly does that relate to and what is present in or on the land which reduces £4,190,000 worth of property to a measly £675,000 ? One is almost minded of the case of Erin Brockovich.
  24. D'Artagnan
    I think that forms part of the problem Frankie - Ive already discussed my concerns with Zap over these leaks and source. One thing I have noticed when they are promulgated on forums (and this may apply solely to those which appear on forums which are the only ones Ive seen) but the common theme appears to be an intention to cause unrest and disharmony at our club, or to discredit individuals connected with our club The problem with such leaks is when one comes along which isnt to your particular liking - having previously afforded credibility to others which were - the whole situation begins to border on the ridiculous
  25. D'Artagnan
    Anyone else get the feeling things are about to get very messy again ? Absolutely the last thing we need at the moment.
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