I see a lot of argument exercised over the weekend on the double-jeopardy issue. Holding an inquiry into an event, then holding another when you don’t get the desired outcome. I have sympathy to a degree with this sentiment, but only within limits. Tax cheats who successfully wriggle out of their responsibilities at a Tribunal, may be called to a second, third or fourth hearing.
This will feel like quadruple-jeopardy, but it’s correct and often needed for the law to apply evenly. It’s also worth noting that the Crown successfully convicted its first double-jeopardy case in November last year, following the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act.
For non-legal cases, such as the SPL Commission headed by Lord Nimmo Smith, there is no double-jeopardy law, either way, the SFA source trying to influence the media late last week into thinking there was, was getting ahead of himself. Any organisation can ask any question of itself at any point.
What the SPFL (formerly known as the SPL) must now ask, is was the Lord Nimmo Smith Commission fit for purpose?
Auldheid, writing on Scottish Football Monitor last year, published his correspondence to SPFL solicitor, Rod McKenzie of Harper MacLeod, suggesting crucial information, requested by McKenzie as part of his case on behalf of the SPL, was not disclosed.
The implication being that McKenzie was unable to reference the material he needed to successfully prosecute his case as the salient information was withheld by Rangers. McKenzie wrote to Rangers on 5 March 2012 asking for relevant information but allegedly did not receive documentation on EBTs Rangers had already agreed with HMRC were incorrect and liable for tax.
The SPL Commission concluded Rangers gained no sporting advantage from their EBTs as, although they found the club acted wrongly in respect of player registration rules, the Commission found that even if the EBTs had been declared, no tax would have been payable, so no sporting advantage was achieved.
We now know that a considerable amount of tax should have been paid (subject to appeal to the Supreme Court), which flips the criteria Nimmo Smith based his decision upon.
I suspect nothing will happen between now and the expiry of the Big Tax Case appeal notification window in early December. Should no appeal be made, the SPFL will need to consider its position.
Football, to a considerable extent, relies on clubs issuing information openly and fully to authorities when required. If a conspiracy to withhold information from an inquiry exists, and is subsequently uncovered, the authorities must consider what action is appropriate.
At the very least, the national association should not be privately promoting a cover-up.
Jim Craig and Brendan Sweeney will be on CQN live from 19:30 onwards on Wednesday to talk about the fascinating topics covered in Brendan’s new book, Celtic: The Early Years. You can ask questions on the blog and Jim and Brendan will get straight back to you.
We’ve held a few of these events before and they’ve always been great fun, especially when we get to chat with one of the men who won the Big Cup. And Brendan, of course!
Ladies, the unique event on the Celtic calendar, Ghirls for Good Christmas Lunch, is now open for bookings. It’s a ladies-only lunch on Saturday, 12 December at the Kerrydale Suite, and I’m told the best day out of the year. You can book tickets, or a table of 10, here. No guys allowed!
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Get in there
The problem with the LNS enquiry is just like every other enquiry into rfcil : the investigating authority isn’t interested in finding guilt.
YYYAAAAAASSSSS
Well taken goal
Herbo on 16th November 2015 9:07 pm
What is happening on Friday?
Fantastic scenes!
Would love to see Robbie Keane get a run out, he’s been a great servant to Ireland.
QUE SERA SERA
No extra time now. Its a win or go out at 2-2.
AGM. Ye not going?
What a delivery for that goal btw
Long right through but misses chance to really clinch that final place.
Long should have wrapped it up there. I’m still bricking it.
BMCUW….
A hootenanny in France!
Shane Long just shows why he has never played for a top 4 club in EPL
Relax Corkcelt
It’s in the bag
Seamus Coleman is world class and I mean that
Why has this kid not been picked up by a Champions League Club?
He is brilliant.
Herbo on 16th November 2015 9:17 pm
Doh! I will be..
Morrissey
Good man. I’ll text ye during the week
Looking good for the Bhoys in Green :-)
Any central Scotland Bhoys interested in Green night on Nov 28th ?
Liam McGrandles is the entertainment for the Robert Murphy Charity foundation, who are holding a Green night in Denny, raising funds to support the building of a Sensory room at the Struan centre in Alloa. This event is being supported by many local Celtic buses, Denny, St Ninians PMS, Bannockburn Bhoys, and Alloa Tommy Craig bus.
Meal and drink provided for the night at £25
Anyone interested drop me a note
Now where’s they Melbourne Bhoys with the winning Team :-)
Hail Hail
rudicantfail…
I thought that aswel re jj, but I’ve received mail telling me otherwise, supposedly mates with mc murdo and his cohorts.
He is well informed on the goings on with the Huns.
This is Shane Longs first game in over a month, been out injured
Good luck to Ireland as the tie moves in their direction.
I’m sad the johnjames infatuation continues on this blog.
It’s for all Celts to choose their heroes but I say in this instance, our enemy’s enemy is still a dirty, stinkin’ hun enemy.
I’ve read those pieces. Were the Easdales and Mediahouse still in charge, I don’t think this persona would be required. I remember the Mediahouse poison about Celtic.
In summary then. Lurking huns and lurking hun bloggers, GIRUYs.
Old-fashioned stramash but Randolph gets the ball among all the feet. Last couple of minutes coming up.
Sipsini
I told you how that guy is, and he is one of them
Give us the o6 in the groups.
Mon the M O N!!!!
Dickie Gough wants to have a word with
Jessica Ennis Hill
Nice girl and all that but has fanciful idea that
she should get gold medal from Russian caught cheating.
pfffffffffffffff
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/34838252
Added time: 180 seconds.
Paddy McGuinness on
Ulster Munster Leinster and to hell with Connaught….
All 4 in France 2016 ……
Come on you Bhoys in Green
Norn Iron…..Get it right up ye!!
Wow! Just wow! We’ve done it!!!!!!!!
Hear! Hear! Jude.
Great achievement getting to play-off place in that group and then beating the top-rated team in the play-offs.
No transfer market in international football, you need great man-management to get the best from the players you’ve got.
And Ireland have a manager with that in abundance!
THe Pure all round!!!!
Cowiebhoy….
I know you did mate, as have others, I’ll see how my finances are re the night out, no OT at the moment, so things a bit tight for Christmas.
Well done Ireland.
Yeessss
God Bless the Celtic, the Irish, James McCarthy, Martin O’Neil and the Holy Catholic Church
Erin go Bragh
Well Done, Ireland! Great spirit and more than a little football played there.
Well done Martin Oneil what a guy :)
“The Master Motivator”. Nice from the commentator.