On the date of the hearing, a newspaper published the accusations made against Briggs as well as details of email conversations between Sandy Brindley, chief executive of the charity and the complainer’s representative.
The alleged incident:
Tory and SNP politicians had been mixing socially. The woman who accused Briggs said he had “draped himself” over her at the reception, pushed her against a wall and made lewd comments.
Briggs said that she had vigorously disagreed with him over welfare reform He called her a “crazy bitch” and left.
The SNP witness said: “the complainer was very aggressive and confrontational towards Briggs.”
She followed up saying: “my boss and SNP colleagues agreed with my actions telling me I did the right thing in standing up and telling the truth. The actions of Brindley will deter people from coming forward over rape allegations and sexual harassment cases. Had I read the press allegations without first hand knowledge of the events, I would have assumed him to be guilty. Anonymity for both sides should be honoured until there has been an investigation, a hearing and a decision.”
“Rape Crisis and [the complainer] turned this into a huge, big media circus and a political thing. How is that going to encourage women to come forward? They’re sending a message that women aren’t going to be believed. I don’t understand why they’ve done this.
Comment: The SNP witness is to be congratulated. In defending Briggs against the malicious complainant she saved his political career. It is to the eternal shame of the SNP membership of the SNP that the names of those who participated in the political destruction of Alex Samond have not yet surfaced.
caltonjock 