Freemasons petition man thrown out

The Scotsman
Feb. 16, 2006

Feb 8, 2006 - A man has been thrown out of a Scottish Parliament committee meeting after shouting at MSPs.

Sidney Gallagher brought forward a petition to the Public Petitions Committee, calling for research into how many Freemasons there are in the police and the judiciary.

But MSPs said there was nothing they could do to take his case forward.

Convener Michael McMahon explained they had received a number of petitions on the topic in the past and had referred them on to the Justice Committee, which then carried out a full inquiry.

And Mr McMahon said: "I don't think this petition adds anything to that inquiry.

"I don't think there's any value in taking it forward."

As members agreed to simply note the petition Mr Gallagher, 66, from Glasgow, shouted out: "I'm sick of it, I want justice."

He was led out of the committee room by security staff and was then spoken to by police.

Later Mr Gallagher, a joiner, told how he had been sentenced to six years in prison for attempted murder.

And he claimed two police officers who gave evidence against him were Freemasons.