Lesley Riddoch

Channel 4, Ofcom and Martin Durkin

Ofcom has just published its findings about the 'Great Global Warming Swindle' . The documentary formed part of a Riddoch Question outside broadcast in May 2007. Martin Durkin, the documentary's director and producer, was interviewed by Lesley for this programme. An extended interview with Martin Durkin, recorded before the Riddoch Questions programme, is available here. Lesley clarifies a lot of the scientific assertions and touches on many of the issues referred to in the Ofcom report.

The Prisons Commission Reports

The Prison Commission Reports

After six months work -- the Prisons Commission report was launched today at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. The speech given by Commission Chair Henry McLeish was a tour de force (but maybe I'm biased) listing the cocktail of problems that have given Scotland a prison population more like an emerging Soviet Republic than a modern Western nation.

There were 23 recommendations -- and I was glad I wasn't one of the hacks sight-reading the 82 page report and trying to figure out which one should make the headline. Will the tabloids describe us as deluded, do-gooding lefties (Sheriff Alistair Duff would never live that down!) or over-ambitious... or might Scottish institutions use this report to tackle troubled citizens instead of locking them up?

If you want to read the report email business.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or call Blackwell's Edinburgh bookshop on 0131 622 8283.

Young cyclist/busker needs support ...sets off Monday

This young lady is cycling from Moscow to Edinburgh setting off on June 30. Not only that; she intends to busk all the way to raise money for street children in Ethiopia. Isla is the daughter of a good friend of mine, Andrew Wightman. She has written a little bit about this trip here on her website.

Isla is looking for sponsorship and I am sure she would be grateful for any contributions you could make. Details of how to give are on her web site at buskingforchildren.org  or sweetypops.net

And, just in case you were worried, mum and dad will be coming along too. I know there are a lot cycling fans out there and I do hope you can support Isla. Having seen the route, I am impressed and a wee bit jealous !

My recent visit to Rum

Rum People March 2008

On my recent visit to Rum, I took my camera and photographed everyone I came across. Here are my efforts in this online album. Warning - there  are lot of photos with captions!

Islanders get 24-hour green power

A renewable energy supply is giving the Isle of Eigg power 24-hours-a-day for the first time.

The £1.6m system for the island bought by its community a decade ago uses a mix of hydro, wind and solar power replacing noisy, expensive diesel generators. For pictures of Eiggtricity being installed last summer click here

Prison Commission

It’s strange to be news-making, when you’ve spent a lifetime news-reporting.

But last week, I was watching news break during in a Prison’s Commission meeting in Edinburgh, hearing evidence from groups like COSLA, SACRO and the new Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority. Our mission is to try and find out why Scotland locks up twice as many offenders as Norway and Ireland. And to consider the impact of ending automatic and unconditional early release on prison numbers and services. So far we’ve been to Barlinnie and Cornton Vale and on Monday we’ll be seeing round Saughton and speaking to prisoners and the Governor, Dan Gunn. Anyway, in the midst of Thursday’s evidence session, we got word that Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill had decided to make a statement on the terrible case of Robert Foye, who was at the Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee, half way through a 10-year sentence for attempting to murder a policeman when he was allowed out to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting but did not return.

Foye was on the run for almost a week and raped a 16-year-old girl in Cumbernauld. He pleaded guilty to the offence last week and the story was front-page news.

Kenny MacAskill decided to ask the Commission to look at the role of open prisons in Scotland – and we spent the best part of two hours discussing how best to tackle that task. With a meeting a week at present – and commission members are all volunteers – it will be quite a challenge. But public and media confidence has been rattled by the case – and there’s no point in conducting this Commission in a vacumn. If you’ve an interest in all of this, the Prisons Commission website is about to spring into action – watch this space.

Lesley offers career advice on BBC Radio tonight

Lesley presents the 'Jobseekers' Guide to the Parliaments' on BBC Radio 4 tonight at 20.45 and it is repeated on Sunday 25 November at 5:45 am for the early birds. Set your alarm clock.

The Queen wasn't amused...nor was I

The Queen and I haven't always seen eye to eye but I think we agreed on Saturday. Find out why when you visit my blog of the opening of Parliament.