Day: July 2, 2025

Six men convicted following serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian

Six men have been convicted following a number of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Tuesday, 1 July, 2025, following a trial which lasted seven weeks.

They were convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The violence involved in each of these cases is completely unacceptable.

“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.

“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation.

“Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.

“I would like to thank them, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.

“These convictions show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.”

Hollow victory for Labour government as controversial welfare vote passed

REBELS FORCE FURTHER CONCESSIONS

MPs voted by 335 votes to 260 to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill their initial backing last night after rebel Labour MPs forced further concessions from the government.

The Government, gearing a humiliating defeat, said it would pause changes to PIP until a review has been carried out.

Despite the concessions, 49 Labour MPs, including local North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert, voted against their government.

Ms Gilbert was one of only three Scottish Labour MPs to oppose the Bill.

45 MPs – 18 of these Labour – abstained or did not vote.

Labour Campaign for Socialism issued a statement after the vote:

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “This is an utter capitulation. Labour’s welfare bill is now a TOTAL waste of time. It effectively saves £0, helps no one into work, and does NOT control spending. It’s pointless.”

Ms Badenoch said that the Starmer government should ‘ditch the bill, do their homework, and come back with something serious’.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “Labour’s behaviour towards people with disabilities is appalling.

“The chaos that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have presided over has shown total contempt for the vulnerable. And Anas Sarwar has supported them all the way. Westminster is failing. Scotland deserves better.”

Anti-poverty campaign group Trussell said: ‘The government’s bill to cut disabled people’s social security is still proceeding, but with all cuts to PIP now set to be REMOVED. We applaud the power of disabled people, MPs, and community organisations like food banks who have tirelessly raised their voices and stood up for future of disabled people

‘The improvements to the bill agreed in recent days are the right thing to do and will protect hundreds of thousands of disabled people from being forced into severe hardship.

‘This bill should never have come before MPs. This was a chaotic and upsetting process that could have been avoided had this government stuck to its commitments to disabled people.

‘Deep cuts to Universal Credit still stand, and when MPs look at the amended Bill, they must ensure disabled people are protected from severe hardship ahead of their final vote next week. More than three quarters of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have gone without essentials in the last six months.

‘We now have an opportunity to work together to build a more compassionate, effective, and fair system of social security for disabled people, and move towards a future without the need for food banks.’