|EC Minutes 09.11.04
SSP Executive Committee – minutes Emergency Meeting - Tuesday 9th November 2004
Glasgow
Present:      Carolyn Leckie (Chair)	Allan Green
Jo Harvie	Frances Curran
Graeme Mclver	Richie Venton
Felicity Garvie	Steven Nimmo
Colin Fox	Jock Penman
Tommy Sheridan	Alan McCombes
Catriona Grant	Barbara Scott (minutes)
Rosie Kane	Duncan Rowan
Rosemary Byrne	Allison Kane
Keith Baldassara	Kevin McVey
Pat Smith
Tommy Sheridan's contribution
The meeting began with an introduction by Tommy Sheridan. He responded to a recent article in the News of the World which alleged that a married MSP had visited a swingers/sex club in Manchester in the company of a female journalist who had now written a book about her lifestyle. Tommy admitted to the meeting that he had in fact visited the club on two occasions, in 1996 and 2002 with close friends. He acknowledged that this had been reckless behaviour and had, with hindsight, been a mistake. He reported that he had met with Keith B and Alan Mc and asked them for the opportunity to fight this on his own and for other party members if questioned about it, to either give no comment or refer all questions to himself. He said he was confident there was no proof in existence that he had visited the club.
Tommy said he was not prepared to resign as Convener unless proof was revealed to exist. His strategy was to deny the allegations and in this regard he had already taken advice from NUJ solicitors. He also stated that it was up to each comrade to decide if they had lost confidence in his Convenership. If he did not still have the confidence of the comrades by the February national conference, he was prepared to stand down at that time citing "family reasons". He stated his belief that to stand down immediately would be a gift horse to the enemies of the party.
Barbara Scott

EC Minutes 09.11.04
Alan McCombes' contribution
Alan McCombes then gave his account of the issue. He stated that this was the most painful discussion he had ever been part of and that himself, Keith B and Tommy S had worked together for over 20 years with no previous trace of acrimony. Alan stated that he had first been made aware of this incident in 2001 at the annual Socialism event when Nicky McKerrell had informed him that someone was trying to sell a story to the media about the club in Manchester which involved Tommy. Alan asked Tommy about it at that time, and Tommy denied the allegations absolutely. However a year later Keith B had contacted Alan because mutual friends had told him that Tommy had visited such a club. Alan and Keith had raised the issue again with Tommy who had this time admitted that it was true and asked them not to reveal it further as there was no evidence, and no possibility that anyone involved would tell anyone. Alan and Keith agreed although they had concerns about the potential time bomb. When the News of the World recently ran the story, Alan immediately realised the unnamed MSP was Tommy. Alan's feeling is that to go to this type of club with a journalist is reckless, irresponsible, and politically damaging to the party. He is not concerned about any perceived moral issue, but feels there are conflicts with the party's evolving positions on issues such as pornography, prostitution, lap-dancing etc. Alan felt that the public would forgive sexual misconduct, but not the convener of the party telling lies about this and refusing to face up to the consequences.
Alan had asked Tommy to manage this issue in the media as soon as he is named as the MSP involved in the story, apologise and resign as convener, citing the reason as wanting to spend more time with his family. However Tommy had refused to do this, instead wanting Alan and Keith to participate in a cover-up.
Alan voiced his concern about the NUJ being involved in this, as their help had been enlisted with false information. He cited the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky affair and pointed out that the most damaging part of that to Bill Clinton was the public denial. He felt it would be political suicide to deny these allegations in the press.
Tommy's refusal to comply with this advice led to Alan and Keith talking to other comrades, however Tommy refused to meet with this group and began acting independently of the party, for instance arranging the Rose Gentle demonstration at the weekend unilaterally.
Alan finished by asking Tommy again to tell the truth and stand down as Convener, and not to ask the Executive to participate in a cover-up.
Barbara Scott	

EC Minutes 09.11.04
General Discussion
Duncan wished to clarify the situation regarding the North East. Additional allegations were circulating in the press about Tommy and an SSP member from Aberdeen. Duncan said that the News of the World journalists had mistakenly identified a particular comrade as the person involved in these allegations, and had hounded her to the point where she had taken an overdose.
There followed a long discussion. Tommy left the meeting at 20:15 after the following comrades had contributed: Duncan, Catriona, Carolyn, Frances, Keith, and Richie.
Before he left, he repeated that he did not believe there was any evidence which would prove him to be lying. He did not accept that he should admit the visits to the club and felt that no-one should comment on private lives. He said he would not be forced into a course of action by the News of the World.
The discussion continued after Tommy left with the following people taking part: Colin, Catriona, Alan Me, Kevin, Rosie, Felicity, Allan G, Carolyn, Rosemary, Graeme, Steven, Jo, Frances, Richie, Keith and Duncan.
Without exception all contributors disagreed with the strategy of denying the allegations. All felt that this would be the most damaging strategy for the party. The general feeling was that this was a bad situation, and that the "least worst" option must be found. All agreed that it would be better if Tommy changed his mind about denying the allegations.
The following proposals were put forward:
1.    Tommy to be given until 10:00 tomorrow morning (Wed 10th Nov) to resign as Convener and the story to be run in the Voice, thus giving the party the upper hand rather than waiting for our enemies to fire the bullet
2.    Tommy to be given until Saturday 13th Nov to resign, thus giving him the chance to think it over and talk to his family etc
3.    Tommy to stand down at February conference citing family reasons
4.    To comply with Tommy's strategy of denial There was a vote.
Option 1-7	Option 3 - 0
Option 2-9                                         	Option 4 - 0
Barbara Scott

EC Minutes 09.11.04
For the purposes of clarity, a unanimous endorsement of Option 2 was sought and obtained.
It was agreed that Colin and Frances would speak to Tommy tonight if possible and no later than tomorrow morning (Wed 10th Nov). He will also be asked to withdraw his First Minister's Question tabled for Thursday 11th Nov.
The EC will meet on Saturday 13th rather than the planned Sunday 14th meeting to plan the announcement of Tommy's resignation, first to the party membership and secondly to the press.
The Regional Organisers will set up meetings to explain to members. 
The meeting closed at 22:30.
Barbara Scott