D'Artagnan

Feel free.... ."whats shared with a friend is no loss"

david@davidgauke.com Dear Mr Gauke, I write to you in your capacity as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and thus having a ministerial responsibility for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. (HMRC) The purpose of this e-mail is to seek clarification. I was formerly a shareholder in the company which controlled the business side of Rangers FC, the aforesaid company falling into liquidation last year to be replaced by a new company under the chairmanship of Mr Charles Green. The original company, as you may be aware, had been offered for sale by the then controlling owner, Sir David Murray. However despite confirmation that there were several parties interested, an ongoing HMRC investigation into Sir David Murray's use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBT's) had cast something of a shadow over the business. During this time an internet blog known simply as the Rangers Tax Case Blog appeared on the internet. The identity of those responsible for this blog, remains unknown. The aforesaid blog ran for several months, and during this time revealed a number of sensational and exclusive revelations regarding Rangers use of EBT's. So much so, that the few journalists who viewed some of the documents stated categorically that they were sourced from within HMRC themselves. Such was the quality of the information obtained by this blog, it became the recipient of the Orwell Award for 2012. The consequence of these leaks, and the eschewed manner in which they were presented by the bloggers made the sale of the company in which I had a shareholding, impossible. The club was acquired by a Mr Craig Whyte, in a dubious series of events, the circumstances of which are now under investigation by Strathclyde Police, on the instructions of Crown Office. Following the decision of a First Tier Tax tribunal finding in favour of Rangers FC at the end of last year, solicitors acting on behalf of Sir David Murray, wrote to Crown Office. In a statement, Professor Watson of Levy & McRae said: "Sir David regards such information as private and confidential and the publication of such information as unlawful. He has asked that this matter is investigated and that anyone found guilty of breaching the law is the subject of prosecution." I had assumed up to that point that HMRC had taken all reasonable steps to prevent the repetition of leaks and to identify those responsible within the organisation, given the damaging nature and their misuse by the Rangers Tax Case Blog. However this action by Sir David Murray's lawyers suggests otherwise. The actions by an employee (s) of HMRC in leaking the information as aforesaid, constitutes a breach of criminal law. I understand every employee of HMRC is a signatory to The Official Secrets Act, notwithstanding the agency's own code of conduct. The Police, of course, are the primary agency for the investigation of crime in Scotland, I understand they alone have the power to search homes, search telephone records, mount surveillance operations, have the technology, equipment and expertise to forensically examine computer systems and e-mails, as well as the capability for both fingerprint and DNA examination. Can you confirm for me that following such leaks HMRC reported such criminality to the Police for appropriate investigation. ? Yours Sincerely

185 pages....have we arrived at any consensus of agreement ? Didnt want to be the only one on Gers Net who had not contributed to this mammoth thread...

Many of us will be familiar with the saying â??you can't see the woods for the treesâ?. The fundamental truth of these few words of wisdom were underlined to me in a recent phone conversation I had with an old friend Rik. Rik is not a Rangers fan, nor a football fan for that matter, he's one of those strange chaps who prefer the game played with an egg shaped ball where the forward pass is not only frowned upon, it is in fact illegal. Rik and I were marines together, we fought, drank, womanised, yomped, billeted together for many years, our shared Ulster Scots heritage solidifying a friendship through common and shared culture, despite our differences of opinion between a round and egg shaped ball. It is a friendship we have maintained throughout the years, which culminates in a New Years Day phone call. As ever during this years phone call he asked me about my beloved Rangers. (Rik's current job in the oil industry sees him spend many months of the year in far flung corners of our planet, which often leaves him less than well informed regarding UK events) As I related the years events to him in the best chronological order I could, I could hear the disbelief in his voice. Substantiated by my constant need for re-assurance â??No honestly this is what happenedâ?. The more the story unfolded however, the more incredible and far fetched it sounded, even to me, who lived through and experienced each heart wrenching moment of it. This topic of conversation finished with a question from Rik.. â??How did they get away with it ?â? It was not a rhetorical question, just one I was unable to furnish an answer to. But it really set me thinking. Have we been so embroiled with concern over our club that we have allowed those who wilfully and maliciously conspired against us to get away with it ? Are we really missing the obvious, have we failed to see the woods for the trees ? Football governing bodies usurping the fundamental right of innocence until proven guilty. Of blackmailing our club. Of manipulating and intimidating those outside our club to accept a solution which ran contrary to any sense of natural justice ? There is a whole symphony of SFL chairmen singing in harmony from a hymn sheet and the song they are singing is that they were lied to, bullied, threatened and intimidated by those in charge of our game. Where else would such allegations go without investigation or action ? Why are the people accused of such appalling behaviour still in post ? Does this country condone and sanction such conduct ? Those at the centre of such allegations still represent our football governing bodies. And what of HMRC and their tsunami style leaks to the Rangers Tax Case Blog ? Why didn't they report such criminality to the Police who are far better qualified to investigate such matters, after their own internal investigations proved fruitless ? Why did it require Sir David Murray's lawyers to write to Crown Office asking that the leaks were treated as criminal and worthy of investigation. It is public knowledge that HMRC have been subject of scathing criticism for their failure to recuperate monies allegedly due. Did it suit the under pressure HMRC to have an outlet such as RTC, whose sole motivation was to misuse the information they had received by criminal means, to convince everyone of Rangers guilt ? If HMRC have failed to take all reasonable steps to stop the leaks which had such a damaging affect on the saleability of our club, will they be liable to all us shareholders who lost out when liquidation followed as a consequence ? And of course BBC Scotland. Lambasted for their conduct by some of their own most respected journalists and broadcasters. Producers of a documentary which went a long way to cementing public opinion of our apparent â??guiltâ?. A publicly funded broadcasting organisation which spent months on journalistic research rightfully calling into question both the integrity and credibility of Craig Whyte, and yet suddenly they afford him the credibility of an exclusive interview. Co-incidence that the man who has caused so much damage to our club was given such a platform as we embarked on a share issue flotation ? But even then that was not enough for this organisation. Because that exclusive platform they gave him was leaked to an internet blogger in the Republic of Ireland. Did they perhaps think that a man who has been labelled as â??tarred with the sectarian brushâ? ...â?a tactical bigotâ? and various other labels confirming his status as â??Rangers Haterâ? could do more damage with his particular brand of anti-Rangers poison than their documentary could ? HMRC leaks to RTC â?? exact same modus operandi. I now have an answer to Rik's question â??How did they get away with it ?â? The answer is they haven't. Accordingly over the next few days I will be writing to a number of individuals in various government posts demanding answers â?? I will post the e-mails on all Rangers sites. Please feel free to copy verbatim if your time is of the essence, use appropriate phrases from my original, or use your own style and terminology ( I'm not a professional letter writer so there is every chance your own will be better than mine) but I would implore you all to write, To demand answers, explanations. It's time for this support to take the offensive, to be pro-active rather than be reactive, and to let the world know that those Rangers haters who operate in the shadows have had their 5 minutes of fame. It's time my fellow bears to fight back.

Seems my ban was of the sin bin variety...

In life there are occasional moments, fleeting passages of opportunity, for an expression of ourselves, which tells the world all they need to know about us. About who we are, what we stand for, those things we cherish and defend with all we have. Such moments however rare, offer the complete stranger the opportunity to see into the very core of our being, and to make an assessment, a judgement of who we are. This video encapsulates one of those rare moments, and it is reproduced here with the kind permission of it's creator, Graeme. I have had many proud moments in my life. The birth of my children, standing in Port Stanley being hugged by the people I had just liberated, this video however ranks up there with all the foregoing. It reminds me of a day when both my family of Rangers supporters and my club, who have been an ever present constant in my life, reminded me of all that I am and all that I stand for. Without compromise. It is fitting it opens with Abide With Me. In the journey and adventure which is life itself, family, friends, loved ones will come and go. You will always return to Rangers, they will remain and offer themselves without demand, as a constant to us all in the journey of life. They will be the anchor which forever holds. Without compromise. It is a video which represents the best life has to offer, fellowship, celebration, truth and honour. There is no stage management, nor is there anything cosmetic about it. No spin, no masks, no smoke, no mirrors. Just a genuine show of appreciation from the Rangers support for the men and women who never hide behind spin doctors, whose courage is defined by actions not by stage managed soundbites. It is a courage not motivated by self seeking or self glory but which is exercised time after time after time, that we might experience and enjoy that ,which so many throughout our world can only wish for, freedom itself. Without compromise. One only has to the look at the faces of our brave men and women to grab a sense of the appreciation of their reception. If ever a picture paints a thousand words then this is the moment. Perhaps it was the military precision of the flawless card displays, which would have done any drill parade proud, perhaps it's the symbolism, banners or flags which so many could identify with. For culture does not live in books or soundbites, but in the hearts of people expressing it through flags, song, banner and symbolism. Without compromise. Without fear. Without intimidation. In a year which has seen so many try to take away all which we stand for, all we represent, all we defend, we need only look to our guests at Ibrox this tribute day for inspiration, for resolution and for example. On a day which HM Forces were guests of Rangers Football Club, and were asked to take a bow, it should perhaps serve as a reminder to everyone, that this football club and its support will never bow down to anyone, neither man born of woman, nor for that matter lie born of woman.

Best wishes to you Frankie

GS I hardly think any of the various parties involved can take the moral high ground with regard to telling the truth.

Not necessarily wrong Craig - just a different interpretation. Speaking personally I think that suggestions of financial impropriety and a distinct lack of governance and accountability are more damaging than the differences of opinion which led to the mass resignations.

What I was referring to BA, by my use of the term darkest hour, was the events and circumstances surrounding the resignation of Alan Harris.

A certain journalist, who shall remain nameless, is the latest to have a pop at Rangers fans who dare to subscribe to conspiracy and agenda theories. For those amongst us however, of such a disposition, that unanswered identities leave you in a state of flux allow me to furnish you a clue â?? its the same journalist who claimed on national TV he had never used the word â??cheatsâ? with regard to Rangers use of EBT's, whilst at the same time social network sites were buzzing with screen shots of him saying exactly that. I believe the term is hung by your own petard. According to some, its utter poppycock and the domain of the â??internet bampotâ? to suggest that BBC Scotland have something of an anti-Rangers bias operating within. But whilst they are very quick to dismiss such claims from Rangers supporters, they are far less efficient in explaining what some refer to as â??Operation Blackoutâ? at BBC Scotland, when it comes to reporting anything remotely negative regarding Celtic FC. BBC Scotland were the only major news outlet in Scotland which did not report on Celtic players John Hartson and Stephen Pearson apparently engaging in a sectarian sing-along at a supporters function. Nor did they feel moved to report on Anthony Stokes attending the funeral of Alan Ryan, the leader of the Dublin brigade of the Real IRA. If nothing else however, BBC Scotland are at least consistent â?? the ugly crowd scenes at Dens Park last week which Dundee official Jim Thomson described as the â??worst in 20 years and a throwback to the 70'sâ? were deemed not to be newsworthy by someone within BBC Scotland. Of course the BBC prides itself on neutrality and accuracy. Perhaps then those at BBC Scotland would care to explain this...... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18169502 So let me get this right...a tax avoidance scheme which a Tax Tribunal deemed lawful is on a par, or equivalent to bribery, corruption and match fixing ? Neutrality and accuracy ? But it would seem that asking questions concerning the neutrality of BBC Scotland is no longer the monopoly of the â??internet bampotâ? with Archie MacPherson and James Traynor, long standing employees of BBC Scotland, being particularly critical of their conduct with regard to Rangers FC. Many will point to the fact the latter is now employed by Rangers FC, conveniently ignoring the fact that much of his criticism was levelled long before he took up his current role at Rangers. But so often in the forming of opinions, subjective experience plays a pivotal role in our decision making process.. Some of you will remember a few weeks ago I pointed out that the details of BBC Scotland's exclusive interview with Craig Whyte, (an interview which just co-incidentally was organised as Rangers were embarking on a shares flotation) was leaked to internet blogger Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, who then usurped the BBC's exclusive by releasing the details in his blog a whole day before BBC Scotland published its â??exclusiveâ?. One could be forgiven for thinking that such a breach of trust, of journalistic integrity, of accountability and responsibility to the BBC licence payer would provoke an appropriate response from those within BBC Scotland. Instead, this is what I received in response to my complaint regarding the foregoing. No denial. No investigation. No accountability nor responsibility to the licence payer. An interview which BBC Scotland hailed as an â??exclusiveâ? was usurped by an employee within their own organisation and BBC Scotland felt â??a reminder to staff about security and confidentialityâ? was the proportionate and appropriate response. History of course has two particularly annoying characteristics, that of repeating itself and catching up with us. Just ask the BBC managers now under the spotlight with regard to the Savile investigations, who deemed their responses to complaints as â??proportionate and appropriateâ?.

There most certainly is BM - debts of course which the Rangers support sought to address. Another fact ignored during the bloodfest.

It is to an extent. But in a war of attrition there will be only one winner.

Perhaps some genuine remorse by those who have conducted themselves in such an appalling manner would be a start.

To tear treasure out of the bowels of the land was their desire, with no more moral purpose at the back of it than there is in burglars breaking into a safe. (Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad 1902) It was one of those strange moments life throws up every so often. Three feet away from me was a total stranger whom I had never met. And yet I was more aware of the darkness and anger within his soul than his wife, who was with him. Furthermore, he was equally aware of a similar darkness deep within me. For the badge on his padded jacket linked us in a way even our most loved ones sometimes fail to fully comprehend. RFC. It is darkness borne out of anger, frustration, powerlessness and a desire for vengeance. Yes vengeance, and I make no apologies for it. A catalogue of unfairness, injustice, mistreatment bitterness and hatred towards our club is what fuels it. Journalists who do not know any better, are telling us to forgive, forget and move on, in fact even some within our ranks are suggesting the same. I'm not ready, not even nearly ready, to move on. When I do it will be at a time of my choosing not at the direction of those who have no understanding or comprehension of that darkness and anger. Those same journalists could wipe the floor with me as they lay out in chronological order, the facts surrounding the demise of our club and the characters involved. But it's what they cant tell you which gives rise to understanding the darkness within. Night after night without sleep. Agonising over the latest information only to find it contradicted minutes later from another news source. The feeling of powerlessness to save something which you cherish, which has been with you throughout your entire lifetime. That which could lay claim to the many highs (and lows) of life's reflection. Nor can they tell you what it feels like to have been made a pariah of Scottish society. To be labelled cheats, financial dopers and to be considered in the same breath as those guilty of bribery and corruption. All of course without trial. Much of what has transpired, by all involved, has been done on a presumption of guilt. They even took away our most fundamental of rights – a presumption of innocence until proved guilty. Nor will I forget the efforts by some to influence that decision making process unfairly. Nor will I forget how they were honoured for their efforts. Before anyone moves to criticise me for harbouring such darkness and anger let me ask you a question. Has anything really changed ? Have they abandoned the kangaroo court process which seeks to strip us of titles ? Or the transfer embargo which was unlawfully imposed ? Has there been a heartfelt apology from those who declared us guilty without trial ? Have we had any assurance that those same people who tried so hard to destroy our club will be prevented from doing so in the future ? Have we had any acknowledgement from the SPL that our absence is having a detrimental affect on Scottish football as a whole ? Or by lies and mis-information are they seeking to tell us that all is well without us ? So until I see some measure of remorse from those responsible for our condemnation, or those who sought to punish us on a presumption of guilt, or until there is acknowledgement that our club and it's support are a vital component part which is essential to the ongoing survival of Scottish football, then I'm afraid you will not find me forgiving, forgetting or moving on. That's what happens you see when you steal the treasure out of the bowels of the land.

Great sentiments Frankie, and on this of all days may our star shine ever the more brightly.

Er...this is not a forum we are talking about (not that I condone that sort of behaviour anyway) this is a blog by a guy who was formerly a journalist and who should be above that kind of conduct.

I think this has to be the all time new low - condemning 2 people by virtue of your blog, without any evidence whatsoever to back up the accusations, apart from they appear to have the "audacity" and "temerity" to disagree with Leggat. Utterly disgusting.

Gunslinger you have read my stuff for some time (Im assuming you are one in the same GS who was on RM & FF) - so you will know that I scolded some RM posters for personal vitriol towards Mark Dingwall on that site, which was posted with no substance. I'm not going to lower myself into a tit for tat verbal battle between websites - the thread which saw the Rangers support tear itself apart was on Follow Follow - that is why it was mentioned in my article. I have re-read that article several times since writing it, and asked others to do so. At no time does it belittle the Follow Follow website, it merely asks that those various warring factions who particpated within the thread consider, whether by such conduct, they are putting Rangers First.

Bear Able, It's not just a few internet blethers. There are reasonable Rangers Supporters out there who view the RST with considerable suspicion. Some of the people involved at the time of the Trust's darkest hour are still at the helm of the organisation and that does not inspire confidence. As someone who joined the Trust at the inaugural meeting it gives me no pleasure to say this but its a fact.

The thread I'm referring to was on Follow Follow, had it been on Gers Net, RM or VB I would have alluded to that.

I would hardly call it "slagging the thread off" gs, that thread served to highlight how deep the divisions are within elements of the Rangers support. The wording of my article was carefully structured not to point the finger of blame at anyone, but to call those involved to resolve their differences in such a way that we can move forward for the benefit of the club without destroying ourselves from within.

I wanted to spend more time with my grandchildren simplythebest - writing and in particular the research behind it takes up a lot of time. The Rangers fans deserve accuracy after all we have been through. I had hoped that my "parting " message would be a call to seek unity - the restriction of my right to freedom of speech on the FF website has conviced me otherwise. My work is not yet done. Rangers First.

It was going to be my swansong Zappa..but events have overtaken themselves. For reasons best known to themselves I have been banned from the Follow Follow Website as a consequence of this article. Hell hath no fury than a writer silenced...

There are some who will have missed the thread on the Follow Follow website regarding David Leggat's latest blog â?? The Enemy Within. Let me assure those who did â?? you are the lucky ones. The sight of the Rangers support tearing strips off each other was as unedifying as it was heart breaking. Personal attacks, personal recrimination, personal accusations, personal animosity. You will note the repeated use of the word â??personalâ?. When the person is put first you can rest assured that Rangers come a very poor second. Isn't it about time we made sure that in our every action, word and deed that our sole motivation is simple â?? Rangers First ? Or does satisfying old scores, personal feuds and age old divisions take precedence over putting Rangers First ? Perhaps, more alarming, have we reached a stage, when we truly believe that settling such scores are actually putting Rangers First ? Almighty God, help us in our blindness and pride filled ignorance. What an indictment it is on us as a support that in an age of computers, internet, social media and e-mail we are more fractured as a support than were before these tools were available to us. These tools should be utilised to fulfil the potential this support has, working as a cohesive unit, not vilifying one another. If the Rangers support organised and orchestrated a one day unofficial general strike â?? this country would grind to a halt. That is the potential, but time after time after time we fail to fulfil it. It is unrealistic to strive for complete unity. In any family unit there will always be differences of opinion, method and approach. It's normal. Our challenge, and our ultimate effectiveness as a support will be determined by our ability to both recognise our differences, live with them, and find the common ground which allows us to perform effectively in our strive towards the common goal â?? Rangers First. (This is not just an ideal..it is a challenge to the leaders of the various Rangers factions, and I sincerely hope the Rangers support as a whole hold you accountable) I have spent years writing and blogging, defending our club, defending our support, defending our traditions from attacks by all and sundry. I am not the only one. But all those hours, pouring over research to ensure what we produce is accurate, visiting the very heart of the soul to tap into that which is mystical and beyond rational to explain our love for the Rangers, will count for nothing if personal vendettas, personal agendas and an inability to work, together, towards a common goal, fail to put Rangers First. To quote a historic Rangers mantra....â?Rangers deserve betterâ? To quote a historic Nike advertising slogan â?¦ â??Just do itâ? And with that this musketeer bids you all a fond â?? Adieuâ? RANGERS FOREVER Kind Regards D'Artagnan