COMMENT: Naive to believe it could Wark with old friend

AT first, it was not so much a scandal as mischief-making - the popular blood-sport of politician and celebrity-baiting.

When First Minister Jack McConnell had his Hogmanay holiday at the Majorcan hacienda hideaway of media queen Kirsty Wark, the joke was: "Hi-ho, hi-ho it's off to Wark's we go."

Now, it has become deadly serious for McConnell, Wark and Scottish public life. Careers and reputations are being damaged by the fall- out from that happy families get-together.

The allegation by Lord Fraser of Carmyllie that their close friendship may have undermined his inquiry into the Holyrood building debacle has raised the affair to a new level.

At the time, the First Minister made all the right noises, telling the Parliament he was "not just disappointed but angry" at the refusal by the BBC and the Wark-Clements TV company to let Fraser see interview tapes. Was he, really? Or did he stop short of a full- scale confrontation because of cronyism?

It is naive of McConnell to claim: "What we have is one family staying with another family, friends for 20 years." They should have been aware after the furore over the tapes that their relationship had to change.

Tony Blair does not seem too choosy about whose holiday home he borrows (like shady Silvio Berlusconi or Cliff Richard) but you wouldn't get him cosying-up with Jeremy Paxman, would you?

It is sad, but inevitable, that the affair should blight Kirsty's position as anchor-woman of Scottish election night coverage, but you have to question her wisdom in not realising the importance of appearances.

Once more, Jack McConnell has shown himself devoid of judgment. Losing our first First Minister was misfortune; losing our second was carelessness; despite the whiff of scandal, it is unthinkable that we should lose the third. That just won't happen - but yet again he is tainted and will be subjected to a rough ride and ridicule at First Minister's Questions.

Kirstygate is not the first time this administration has become a public embarrassment. The depressing thing is, it won't be the last.

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