ONE OF THE 38 SPEAKS OUT.

Dear Iain would you be prepared to give me a little space for the attached.   In the light of  Doug’s action I think that apart from my personal position it has some wider relevance.

I understand my name was included on the “List of 38”  names named and shamed  by the NEC as being unfit for re-admission into the Party.    I have no way of knowing, the proceedings having been conducted with the transparency normal to this body, whether this information is correct.   It seems probable given the hostility with which my belief that, except in special and indicated circumstances, it should stand by its actions or lack of them and have no problem with their being made public and there is no reason to believe that my source was lying.

I can see no reason for my name being placed on such a list.   I resigned for perfectly valid reasons connected  with the actions of the Committee and explained my reasons solely to the only people to whom I recognised a duty – the Constituencies of the North East region whom I represented.   That of course was before “the List”.     Faced with the implication of some sort of unspecified but disgraceful and unpardonable behaviour I have no option to publish my letter of resignation to redress the balance.    I can add only that my husband and I are pensioners whose sole and joint capital asset is our house.

From: Dorothy Jessiman
Sent: 28 March 2021 09:50
To: Stewart Stevenson
Subject: NEC

Dear Stewart,

Thank you for your answer which confirms the reports I had received that, faced with a situation in which three distinguished and experienced people in the field of finance felt unable to continue offering their free services to the Party without comprising their professional integrity, the Committee chose not to rectify the underlying situation and instruct the Chief Executive to make all required information  available without delay.   I have no expertise in financial matters but understand the information required could in no way be regarded as outwith what was required to enable the Finance and Audit Committee to fulfil their role of advising the Treasurer.   Since I understand  the Leader of the Party was  present and took part in the discussion I can only assume  that the implicit endorsement of the omission goes right to the top.   

I further understand that the Party has, as I feared, received letters expressing an intention to mount a legal challenge to the equalities mechanism the Committee decided in the face of legal advice, to employ in relation the lists at a meeting where compliance with our Constitution was questionable.    As you informed us at the time, a successful challenge could face the Party with substantial costs  which the Party does not appear to me to have the resources to meet.

These latest developments come as the last straw in a situation where I remain unhappy about  the presentation of the ring  fenced funds in the accounts.   I can no longer convince myself that my continuance as a member of the Committee will enable me either to uphold the interests of my members or to accept the risk of finding myself and my husband held personally liable for such a reckless attitude to proper governance.   Please accept my resignation.

Dot Jessiman

My Comment.

Anyone who knows Dot understands her commitment to Independence. They also recognise that she is highly responsible and does nothing like this without a lot of thought and examination. Others have now made similar decisions, not least the National Treasurer himself Douglas Chapman.

Party loyalists may want to seek some answers to why all these auditors and others who have shown over several decades their commitment to the Independence cause now find it so difficult to co exist with the current SNP PRACTICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

A Party that holds power has responsibilities, it should not behave recklessly and endanger and make vulnerable others within their organisation. Not everyone earns money for their politics. Often the opposite is true. They make up the huge bulk of any Party. Those in power would do well to remember that.

The current SNP NEC are failing in their responsibilities. It is very serious.

I am, as always

Yours for Scotland.

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