Editorial: The Old Rock 06.06.10

If the Standards Commission, which among other things looks into alleged breaches of the councillors’ code of conduct, rules after investigation that the councillor in question should be exonerated, the complainant can at least say that the body which exists to uphold ethical standards in public life in Scotland thought it worthy of consideration.

When, as happened this week with councillor Allan Wishart, it rules that there is no case to answer, the complainant(s) ought to reflect on whether there was a prima facie case. In other words, while Mr Wishart might have a moral case to answer (and many think he does) for holding simultaneous roles as councillor and Viking Energy project co-ordinator, he is certainly not in breach of the code for doing so, as anyone with even a passing familiarity with the code would recognise.

How ironic it is – hypocritical in fact – that the charge is levelled at Mr Wishart and other councillors of “wasting” public money, despite the fact that a democratic decision was taken in the council chamber to proceed with the Viking windfarm up to the point of planning consent. Who’s wasting money now?

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Congratulations to all those who have done well in their standard grade, higher and advanced higher exams. The relief and joy felt in many isles households in the last two days is just reward for the hard work that has been put in over the year(s). While school exams may only be a stepping stone, there is arguably no more important measure or determinant of success in the future.

On page 16 this week we feature the latest crop of students who have graduated this year. Today’s successful exam candidates are the graduates of future years. So whatever you go on to do and wherever you go on to do it, good luck.