I’ve been sort of half following the furore over the compassionate release of Al-Megrahi, and it seems that the Scottish Justice Secretary has taken a break from his war on anything a little bit fun to do something right. It’s a sign of a society that has the right moral principles that we are able to resist the urge to punish harshly and let emotions rule decisions of this type. It is our compassion that makes us infinitely better than those who seek to use violence to change things.

It does seem a tad pointless though that Parliament is being recalled. We’re only about a week away from the return to session anyway, and while Parliament should certainly have the chance to discuss the matter, frankly what difference will it make? Al-Megrahi has already left.

Tip: always remember that the whole chamber is covered by the cameras.

OK, this one puzzles me: someone (apparently wearing a wig and make-up) managed to commit armed robbery at a branch of ING Bank inside the European Parliament, and they haven’t been caught!

 A spokesman for the Parliament said that the perpetrator might still be at large inside the building.

European Voice

I have a security pass for The Scottish Parliament, so I’m familiar with the procedures for access to that building, including the need to escort guests at all times, but on the occasions I’ve visited the EP, the fact that I can wander around freely on my own has always seemed somewhat unusual. I guess they’ll maybe consider tightening things up a bit now.

Update – 13h33

According to Twitter the best place to go in event of security breaches is the canteen! Twitter really comes into its own with things like this.

James, as a former Parliamentary press officer probably won’t like this, but this photo is pretty representative of much of the building at the moment. I don’t know what is wrong, but there are leaks all over the place.

Something I just overhead from a member of staff from FM here at the Scottish Parliament:

“I’m here about the leak, I just wanted to check you have a bucket”

It’s good to hear that the building is capable of withstanding the Scottish climate.