The Council were told by Israel not to proceed with discussing the Petition on 29th March. The proof is in this text, sent by Council Leader Adam McVey to the Petitioner’s Ward Cllr, Frank Ross, on the 28th March, after Frank had asked the Council Leader (on the petitioner, Pete Gregson’s behalf) if twinning was going to be discussed..
The week before, UK Lawyers for Israel had also told the Council they may be prosecuted for discussing Gaza: Petition to twin Edinburgh with Gaza City could mean Councillors commit criminal offence – UK LAWYERS FOR ISRAEL (uklfi.com)
Following these interventions, the Chief Executive decided to pull the item from the Council Policy Committee agenda.
UK Lawyers for Israel were predictably delighted at their victory Edinburgh Council withdraws discussion on twinning with Gaza – UK LAWYERS FOR ISRAEL (uklfi.com)
At this point an FOI was submitted by the petitioner at www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/information_relating_to_twinning seeking to find out who had been intervening in the Council’s democratic processes.
The petitioner then set up the Edina Gaza Twinning Association on Easter Sunday- at the Inaugural meeting, the members (now standing at 26) agreed to appoint the Mayor of Gaza as the Honorary President. The Chairperson, Pete Gregson, then handed himself into Police Scotland indicating that according to Israel he was supporting terrorism, since they claimed (falsely) that the Mayor was of Hamas.
Eventually, Police Scotland responded thus:
From: Contactus <Contactus@scotland.police.uk>
Sent: 26 April 2022 16:02
To: Peter.N.Gregson@outlook.com
Subject: 1951227
Good Afternoon
In regards to your inquiry dated 19th April 2022, having reviewed and assessed the circumstances presented by you there would not appear to be any contravention of counter terrorism legislation arising from your advocacy of Edinburgh being twinned with Gaza City.
This may be required to be reviewed subject to any new information or a change in circumstances being highlighted or reported to Police Scotland.
This assessment should not be considered an endorsement for a petition or further action regarding this or any other matter.
Regards
Service Advisor 20149
Police Scotland/Poileas Alba
Tel: 101
Email: contactus@scotland.police.uk
Website: www.scotland.police.uk
Twitter: @policescotland
Facebook: facebook.com/policescotland
Pete forwarded the Police Scotland view onto Edinburgh Council, whereupon the Head of Legal asked if the Council might obtain Michael Mansfield’s legal opinion. Michael duly obliged:
The Council is now digesting this advice. It is hoped they will agree to discuss the petition as soon as possible.
On 1st June, the Council released this statement:
“The city of Edinburgh Council are still taking legal advice in the petition and on the assumption it can be heard it will be brought back before a future policy and sustainability committee later this year.”
In an effort to get to the bottom of Council delays on hearing the petition, an FOI has been lodged at Information relating to Twinning with Gaza Petition – a Freedom of Information request to City of Edinburgh Council – WhatDoTheyKnow