#alistair mcdonald

[siryl]

"Awarua o Porirua Taniwha Learns to Fly" by Alistair McDonald.

[sailon-ishmael]

Watching old recordings of terror camp keynotes and the one with Alistair Petrie is literally fucking making me lose my MacStan mind I’m gonna AJSHSJDHEHEIEH he has so many interesting thoughts about Stanley and made so many interesting choices in playing him I’m literally taking notes. And then him mentioning “the lovely Charlie Edwards” I genuinely started shaking from excitement THEY’RE GOOD FRIENDS

[merryverse]

The Terror - A Mercy

[mazojo]

All of us villains is crazy with Alistair’s story because imagine I entered the deadly tournament my psycho family had trauma coded on me since I was 7 after brutally murdering my brother the only source of happiness in my life and now I gotta struggle with tripping over my own two shoes because I am clumsy while dealing with getting my heart broken and being betrayed twice AND having a sexuality crisis all the while?? Crazy

[flooshd]

arcane will order one big mac with a side of large fries and a milkshake

[odysseusilver]

Ok so one of my lectures got cancelled so I had enough time to do this, here is a short list of the heights of some of the Terror cast!

Jared Harris as Francis Crozier = 6’0 ft/ 182cm

Tobias Menzies as James Fitzjames = 6’1 ft/ 185cm

Paul Ready as Harry Goodsir = 5’9 ft/ 175cm

Adam Nagaitis as Cornelius Hickey = 5’8 ft/ 172cm

Ian Hart as Thomas Blanky = 5’8 ft/ 172cm

Ciarán Hinds as Sir John Franklin = 6’1 ft/ 185cm

Tom Weston-Jones as Graham Gore = 6’0 ft/ 182cm

Declan Hannigan as Henry Le Vesconte = 6’2 ft/ 187cm

Matthew McNulty as Edward Little = 5’10 ft/ 177cm

Christos Lawton as George Hodgson = 5’11 ft/ 180cm

Ronan Raftery as John Irving = 6’0 ft/ 182cm

Sebastian Armesto as Charles Des Voeux = 5’8 ft/ 172cm

Trystan Gravelle as Henry Collins = 6’1 ft/ 185cm

Alistair Petrie as Stephen Stanley = 6’3 ft/ 190cm

Charles Edwards as Alexander McDonald = 6’1 ft/ 185cm

Liam Garrigan as Thomas Jopson = 5’9 ft/ 175cm

John Lynch as John Bridgens = 5’10 ft/ 177cm

Kevin Guthrie as Henry Peglar = 5’7 ft/ 170cm

Charlie Kelly as Thomas Armitage = 5’11 ft/ 180cm

David Walmsley as Solomon Tozer = ? (I couldn't find his height but didn't want to not include him :( )

Edit: multiple people ( @gadzooksvol1 @jammans ) have said that Nive Nielson is 5’7 /170cm so thank you for that addition!!

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish musician and singer Alastair Mcdonald born 28th October 1941.

Alastair is primarily a Banjo-playing folk/jazz musician, probably most famous for his recordings of Jim MacLean's folk songs, such as The Barras and The massacre of Glencoe, but also for some humorous songs, such as the jazz comedy song Sam the skull, about a Glasgow cat.

McDonald has mainly recorded songs written by other songwriters, for example Robert Burns and Jim MacLean, but has also written songs himself including Culloden's Harvest and The Village Green at Gretna and more reworked traditional songs, The Bell Rock Light, Mingulay Boat Song among others.

Though quite well known – he has toured US, every state except Hawaii and Alaska, also touring Canada, Israel, Denmark, Thailand and several more countries – not much is spoken of him in media.

Much of his work in recent years has been political song, usually socialist and/or republican, such as his tribute song to John MacLean.

At 83 Alistair is still performing, the multi-talented musician will appear at the Abbotsford Hotel in Ayr on Novemer 5th courtesy of Ayr Phoenix Folk Club.

I’ve chosen one of Alistair's more patriotic songs, this is about Sir William Wallace and is called The knight of Elderslie

When Scotland was in darkness and at English Edward's heel

There rose a lad to lead us and to make the tyrant reel

He raised up his arm for freedom showing nerve and Scottish steel

William Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Sing now of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Guardian of Scotland, of truth and liberty

With the loyal Andrew Moray how he danced the English down

At Berwick and at Stirling, he provoked a royal frown

And mercenary traitors from Carlisle to London town

Knew of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Sing now of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Guardian of Scotland, of truth and liberty

But the skies grew black at Falkirk as the English arrows sped

And many a mother's son did lie among the bloody dead

And when tithe took Judas' money that was placed upon the head

Of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Sing now of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Guardian of Scotland, of truth and liberty

Then the noblest heart of Scotland was revealed for all to see

When they hacked him into pieces underneath the gallows tree

But the butchery and slaughter cannot scar the memory

Of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Once again, the land's in darkness as we hang our heads to mourn

And remember how the Braveheart caused oppression's tide to turn

But Scotsmen, aye, stand ready and prepared for Bannockburn

Thanks to Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Sing now of Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Guardian of Scotland, of truth and liberty

William Wallace, the knight of Elderslie

Guardian of Scotland, of truth and liberty

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Passenger Railway Services Bill (Public Ownership) Bill: Committee: Amendment 14

Ayes: 111 (95.5% Con, 4.5% DUP) Noes: 362 (97.0% Lab, 2.5% Ind, 0.6% SDLP) Absent: ~177

Day's business papers: 2024-9-3

Likely Referenced Bill: Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

Description: A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: 3rd reading

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (106 votes)

Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alex Burghart Alicia Kearns Alison Griffiths Andrew Bowie Andrew Murrison Andrew Rosindell Andrew Snowden Aphra Brandreth Ashley Fox Ben Obese-Jecty Ben Spencer Bernard Jenkin Blake Stephenson Bob Blackman Bradley Thomas Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charlie Dewhirst Chris Philp Claire Coutinho Damian Hinds Danny Kruger David Davis David Mundell David Reed David Simmonds Desmond Swayne Edward Argar Edward Leigh Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gavin Williamson Geoffrey Cox George Freeman Greg Smith Gregory Stafford Harriet Cross Harriett Baldwin Helen Whately Iain Duncan Smith Jack Rankin James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Wild Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Wright Jerome Mayhew Jesse Norman Joe Robertson John Cooper John Glen John Hayes John Lamont John Whittingdale Joy Morrissey Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Karen Bradley Katie Lam Kemi Badenoch Kevin Hollinrake Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Laura Trott Lewis Cocking Lincoln Jopp Louie French Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Pritchard Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Mel Stride Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil Hudson Neil O'Brien Neil Shastri-Hurst Nick Timothy Nigel Huddleston Oliver Dowden Patrick Spencer Peter Bedford Peter Fortune Priti Patel Rebecca Harris Rebecca Paul Rebecca Smith Richard Fuller Richard Holden Robbie Moore Robert Jenrick Saqib Bhatti Sarah Bool Shivani Raja Simon Hoare Steve Barclay Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Suella Braverman Tom Tugendhat Victoria Atkins Wendy Morton

Democratic Unionist Party (5 votes)

Carla Lockhart Gavin Robinson Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Sammy Wilson

Noes

Labour (351 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Abtisam Mohamed Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Afzal Khan Al Carns Alan Campbell Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex McIntyre Alex Norris Alex Sobel Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Hack Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Gwynne Andrew Lewin Andrew Pakes Andrew Ranger Andrew Western Andy MacNae Andy McDonald Andy Slaughter Angela Eagle Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anna McMorrin Anna Turley Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Ashley Dalton Baggy Shanker Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bayo Alaba Beccy Cooper Becky Gittins Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Bill Esterson Blair McDougall Brian Leishman Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Smith Catherine Atkinson Catherine Fookes Catherine McKinnell Catherine West Charlotte Nichols Chi Onwurah Chris Bloore Chris Curtis Chris Elmore Chris Evans Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Chris Ward Chris Webb Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Efford Clive Lewis Connor Naismith Connor Rand Damien Egan Dan Aldridge Dan Carden Dan Jarvis Dan Norris Dan Tomlinson Daniel Francis Danny Beales Darren Paffey Dave Robertson David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Smith David Taylor Dawn Butler Debbie Abrahams Deirdre Costigan Derek Twigg Diana Johnson Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Elaine Stewart Ellie Reeves Elsie Blundell Emily Darlington Emily Thornberry Emma Foody Emma Lewell-Buck Euan Stainbank Fabian Hamilton Fleur Anderson Florence Eshalomi Frank McNally Gareth Snell Gareth Thomas Gen Kitchen Gerald Jones Gill Furniss Gill German Gordon McKee Graeme Downie Graham Stringer Grahame Morris Gregor Poynton Gurinder Singh Josan Harpreet Uppal Heidi Alexander Helen Hayes Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Ian Lavery Ian Murray Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Asser James Frith James Naish Janet Daby Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jen Craft Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Asato Jess Phillips Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo Stevens Jo White Joani Reid Jodie Gosling Joe Morris Joe Powell Johanna Baxter John Grady John Healey John Slinger John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Brash Jonathan Davies Jonathan Hinder Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Julia Buckley Julie Minns Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Karin Smyth Karl Turner Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Katrina Murray Keir Mather Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kim Johnson Kim Leadbeater Kirith Entwistle Kirsteen Sullivan Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Edwards Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Barron Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Byrne Liam Conlon Lilian Greenwood Lillian Jones Linsey Farnsworth Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lizzi Collinge Lloyd Hatton Lola McEvoy Louise Haigh Louise Jones Lucy Powell Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Myer Margaret Mullane Marie Tidball Mark Ferguson Mark Hendrick Mark Sewards Mark Tami Markus Campbell-Savours Marsha De Cordova Martin Rhodes Mary Glindon Mary Kelly Foy Matt Bishop Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matt Western Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Meg Hillier Melanie Onn Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Amesbury Mike Kane Mike Reader Mike Tapp Mohammad Yasin Nadia Whittome Natalie Fleet Natasha Irons Naushabah Khan Navendu Mishra Neil Coyle Neil Duncan-Jordan Nesil Caliskan Nia Griffith Nicholas Dakin Nick Smith Nick Thomas-Symonds Noah Law Oliver Ryan Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Pat McFadden Patricia Ferguson Patrick Hurley Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Perran Moon Peter Dowd Peter Kyle Peter Lamb Peter Swallow Phil Brickell Polly Billington Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Rachel Taylor Richard Baker Richard Quigley Rosie Duffield

Rupa Huq Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sadik Al-Hassan Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth Samantha Dixon Samantha Niblett Sarah Champion Sarah Coombes Sarah Edwards Sarah Hall Sarah Jones Sarah Owen Sarah Sackman Satvir Kaur Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Sharon Hodgson Shaun Davies Simon Lightwood Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Sonia Kumar Stella Creasy Stephanie Peacock Stephen Kinnock Stephen Timms Steve Race Steve Witherden Steve Yemm Sureena Brackenridge Tahir Ali Taiwo Owatemi Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tom Rutland Tonia Antoniazzi Tony Vaughan Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Vicky Foxcroft Warinder Juss Wes Streeting Will Stone Yasmin Qureshi Yuan Yang Zubir Ahmed

Independent (9 votes)

Apsana Begum Ayoub Khan Imran Hussain Jeremy Corbyn John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Burgon Shockat Adam Zarah Sultana

Social Democratic & Labour Party (2 votes)

Claire Hanna Colum Eastwood

[breadedsinner]

Sometimes I think of going back with Hervor. Sometimes I think, fuck it, kill Loghain, be happy with Alistair until he gets left behind because I'm never sacrificing Judy lmao

Sometimes I think fuck it, be the "mistress", except she's dating BOTH Alistair and Anora. Honestly with an Aeducan (or Cousland) there's not as much a weird dynamic hanging overhead. Still really don't like it, as presented in canon.

Other times I think why not skip the whole thing, date Leliana instead.

But then I think.... even after her time on the surface and being more tempered, she IS still very proud and takes her heritage very seriously, and so I am not sure any of the canon Origins LIs are a good fit for her long term.

So now I'm thinking she's poly. She's with Sigrun/Nathaniel/Velanna, but she is also with Gorim.

I mean shit maybe his wife is cool, maybe she dates her, too. Takes the kid to Fantasy McDonald's.

[gloomwalking]

🎶✨️when u get this, share 5 songs u have been listening to recently. then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite bloggers✨️🎶

here are some songs that have been stuck in my head the past few days !

> the body is a blade - japanese breakfast

> pretty visitors - arctic monkeys

> loch lomond - i like the alistair mcdonald version but it’s not definitive !

> roadrunner - the modern lovers

> drop cherries - billie marten

[sailon-ishmael]

I’ve never written a fic before and it’s been a good long while since I’ve written any narrative prose but insomnia and brainrot are a helluva combo, so here’s 1.5k words of disgustingly fluffy-slight hurt/comfort-McDonald/Stanley-survive AU for anyone interested. Maybe I’ll post on ao3 eventually but I’ve never done that before so I’m not sure yet.

————————————————————————

Be the Blanket for My Bones

(CW: slightly suggestive but nothing explicit. Nudity? Discusses past injuries, past canonical suicide attempt, scars, some internalized ableism)

Stephen slips out of sleep and into a hazy awareness. The sunlight shining through the window pricks at his eyelids, the curtains left open in their haste the previous night. He shivers slightly, his skin bared without even a sheet to cover him. But a familiar warmth emanates from the other side of the bed.

He senses the weight and heat of Alexander’s body, motionless save for the slight rise and fall of the mattress as he breathes.

Stephen chances a cracking open of one eye, too tempted by the promise of the sight of his love mussed in sleep. He is not disappointed.

With one arm tossed above his head and naked as the day he was born his lover resembles a sculpture of a Greek youth, like one might see scattered throughout one of the museums that Alexander often insists on dragging him to. (He would never say this aloud though, it’s far too sentimental and besides Alexander would scoff at the idea that he could still resemble anything close to a youth. And yet, he does).

And draped over his torso and legs is the evasive sheet they’re meant to be sharing. Since the very first time they shared a bed, Alexander has made it his habit to assert sole custody over any blanket, sheet, or covering they might have begun the night wrapped up in together. But Stephen doesn’t mind. While his partner still struggles to shake the cold of those long years in the ice, Stephen finds he prefers a slight chill to the possibility of being engulfed in a heat that reminds him of— well.

He is warmed now though. The sunlight that bathes his skin is gentle, caressing his skin with a heat so unlike the flames that had burned his skin that night when he fell headlong into the pit of his own despair.

The scarred patches of his skin feel tight as always, but there is no pain today.

He studies his lover for a moment, opening his other eye, but he doesn’t move yet. He doesn’t want to jostle the bed and disturb his slumbering Adonis.

Alexander’s thick hair is egregiously tousled as always, bits and pieces flopping over his forehead in a way that makes him look painfully young, despite the fact that both of them are closer to sixty now than they are to fifty. The sun glints off the edges of his hair, giving it a coppery sheen. A small purple bruise is illuminated on his shoulder, further evidence of the previous night’s passions.

The sheet hangs low enough that Stephen can see the rough line of scarring left by Mr. Hickey’s one act of heroism. It’s not a pretty scar; the stitches were hastily done by Mister— no, Doctor Goodsir (Stephen had promised he would at least try, for Alexander’s sake he will always try), who had done his best considering the circumstances.

But Stephen can’t even bring himself to criticize the amateurish stitching like he usually would. It’s existence means that Alexander had survived, that Alexander is still here beside him, and that they had escaped their frozen hell together.

Before he even realizes what he’s doing, Stephen brushes the top of the scar lightly with just the back of his hand. He holds his breath as Alexander shifts slightly, curling in towards the touch. But his eyes remain closed, still asleep. Stephen slowly follows the raised line down with the tip of his index finger, tracing this lifeline that tethers the soul he holds most dear to this wretched earth, to his own wretched soul.

Suddenly the back his neck prickles with the feeling that he is being watched. He shifts his gaze up and meets Alex’s open eyes, hazy with sleep but sparkling slightly with amusement.

“Reminiscing?”

Stephen masks his embarrassment at having been caught with a slight shrug, going to withdraw his hand. But before he can make his retreat, Alex catches his wrist with a gentle but firm grasp. He lays Stephen’s whole hand back on the scar, his flat palm spanning almost the whole length of the mark.

“I didn’t say that I minded,” he murmurs.

Alex doesn’t remove his hand entirely, but he loosens his grip as he begins his own exploration where his fingers circle Stephen’s wrist.

The flames had licked up almost the whole of his right arm, as well as the right side of his neck and face. The skin there is shiny pink and twisted, healed now forever marred. It was only the quick thinking and action of Mister Collins and Mister Bridgens that had saved him. (In tackling him to the ground and dousing him completely with snow, the second master and steward had come away with scorched fingers and singed hair for their troubles. Stephen considers that a fair price all things considered. Stephen has chosen to be thankful rather than resentful. He has found gratitude to be an easier pill to swallow than forgiveness).

Their actions, along with Hickey’s, had miraculously spared the rest of the crew of any serious casualties, except of course, for Alexander. (That is one area where Stephen may never be able to forgive himself, even though Alexander has never said a word to condemn him).

Alex’s fingers trace the swirls of scar tissue that spider up from Stephen’s wrist. The sensation is slightly dulled but pleasant. Like the man himself, Alexander’s hands are always perfectly warm, everything about him designed to put people at ease.

Stephen’s eyes slip shut under his lover’s ministrations. He feels the thump of Alex’s beating heart under his palm, the gentle rhythm combined with the sun’s warmth lulling him back into a daze of near-sleep.

His reverie is broken suddenly when Alex speaks., “You are so beautiful.”

Stephen's eyes snap open. He tries to mask the despair by letting out a scoff he hopes comes across as disbelieving. He curls the hand on Alexander’s chest into a fist, attempting to push himself away but his lover refuses to release him.

“I mean it, Stephen. I wish I could draw you like this, show you how you look through my eyes. Then you would see all that I see.”

“I can see my scars well enough in the looking glass, Alexander. I know full well what I look like.” Stephen sighs, but there is no bite to his words as the only feeling he can muster is tired resignation.

Alex moves suddenly towards the middle of the bed, rolling over onto his front so that the line of his body is pressed against Stephen’s. The sheet twisted about his legs is only barrier between their skin. He runs his left hand over the cratered landscape of Stephen’s right side, insistent and soothing in equal measure.

Despite himself, Stephen feels the tension go out of him as his body can’t help but relax under Alex’s loving touch.

“Beautiful. You look beautiful. How could this body be anything but perfect to me? Yes, even— no, especially, these scars. They show me that you survived, my darling, that you’ve healed.”

Stephen shudders out an exhale, unsteadied by his love’s words. No tears come to his eyes, of course, he probably couldn’t cry even if he tried. But the strength of Alex’s devotion still surprises him even after years of relentless affection.

Stephen unfurls his hand and slides it up Alex’s chest, over the bite mark on his shoulder, up his neck, and into the thick warmth of his lover’s hair, leaning in to kiss lips still soft with sleep. It is a chaste kiss, but he pours as much affection and burning gratitude into it as he can. Even if he still can’t quite accept the words to be true for himself, he wants Alex to know that he treasures them. He pulls back slightly to look at his love, finding all his feelings reflected back in warm hazel eyes, so unlike his own icy blue ones.

He glances down between them at Alexander’s scar and before he can hesitate, dips his head down to press a kiss there too. Alexander inhales sharply, a small gasp escaping his lips. It is not one of pain, though, so Stephen does not pull away, pressing a line of kisses along this closed seam.

Alexander’s hand comes to rest on the nape of Stephen’s neck, his fingers gently carding through the sparse hair at the back of his head. With each small kiss he tries to pour out the thoughts in his mind: This scar is beautiful to me too. You are beautiful to me. I’m so happy you are here with me. I’m so happy you’re alive.

When Stephen pulls back and looks at Alexander’s face again, there is a slight sheen in his eyes and a dimpled grin spreading across his mouth. Crow’s feet crinkling in the way that he adores.

“I do love you so, Doctor Stanley.”

Stephen leans in and folds himself into Alexander’s arms, their bodies wrapping around each other until they’re as close as two people can be without climbing totally inside one another.

He feels Alexander’s breath blow across the side of his neck and burrows his face deeper into the sweet sleep touched smell of his skin, resting his head in the divot of his shoulder.

“And I you, Doctor McDonald.”

————————————————————————

Endnotes:

If you read this far, thank you! I’d love to hear your thoughts :)

Title is from “Slip Into Your Skin” by Patrick Watson

[movies-to-add-to-your-tbw]

Title: Rosaline

Rating: PG-13

Director: Karen Maine

Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Kyle Allen, Sean Teale, Minnie Driver, Bradley Whitford, Henry Hunter Hall, Spencer Rayshon Stevenson, Nico Hiraga, Christopher McDonald, Mercedes Colon, Alistair Toovey, Nicholas Rowe, Valentina Carnelutti, Alhaji Fofana

Release year: 2022

Genres: romance, comedy

Blurb: Left heartbroken after Romeo begins to pursue her cousin Juliet, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy.

[head-post]

McDonald’s workers claim sexual harassment, unsafe working conditions

The controversy surrounding workplace harassment at McDonald’s UK keeps escalating, with employees reporting ongoing concerns, according to The Workers Union.

A year after McDonald’s UK CEO Alistair Macrow pledged to reform workplace culture, employees came forward with allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and unsafe conditions. As a result, the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) intervened.

Workers reported incidents of racism, verbal abuse and bullying by managers. Managers allegedly offered intimacy for extra shifts and sent explicit photos to female employees. More than 700 current and former employees joined legal action against the company, claiming it failed to protect staff.

Following the BBC’s initial investigation, McDonald’s partnered with PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit its restaurants and assess staff welfare. However, some workers claimed the audits were staged, with specially selected staff ready to provide favourable reviews.

Meanwhile, a company spokesperson said it had made progress, citing survey results showing increased confidence among employees to voice their opinions. However, many felt the measures were insufficient.

Although McDonald’s claimed that employees could choose guaranteed working hours, the workers surveyed said they were either unaware of the option or did not have access to it.

Macrow will face MPs for the second time to deal with allegations of harassment and abuse at McDonald’s UK on Tuesday. However, Liam Byrne, chairman of the Business Select Committee, criticised the company’s apparent failure to eradicate the issue, calling the situation “appalling.”

There is a clear pattern of abuse here that suggests that McDonald’s has become a hotbed of harassment.

The revelations highlight the challenges of implementing change in franchise companies where local managers enjoy considerable control. While the company claims to address the issues, worker testimonies point to a large gap between corporate promises and reality.

Read more HERE

[tempest-toss]

What is Allistari Applegate's opinion of McDonald? Would he eat it if he was starving?

There is no Allistari, you mean Alistair Applegate (even then I think I misspelled his name, [afk])

He despises McDonald's, as he finds the food rather trash and for the poor.

He'd rather starve.

[scotianostra]

I pride myself in knowing my Scottish history, and especially Edinburgh, not boasting but among my friends on Facebook  I know more than average, Alistair Dawson and Mark McDonald are up there with me, and then there is the main man  in the first pic here, Colin Cargill. Colin took me for lunch on Monday, Haggis Neeps and Tatties at the Guildford Arms, it was delicious. We took a wee walk after to Old Calton Burial Ground on Waterloo Place, that's the one you see when crossing North Bridge, with the obelisk that is The Martyrs Monument, which remembers Scots who  strived for political reform in the 18th century. Anyway, Colin told me the history of the graveyard, after the part of Edinburgh we know as the New Town was built you still had to go through slum areas on the Canongate and High Street to get there, this was until they built a road, which ran/runs from Portobello, London Road. This  now splits at Montrose Terrace going up Regent Road to what is now Waterloo Place, they had a problem here as the graveyard barred their way to Princes Street. They solved this by building the road right through it in 1818. Don;t worry the graves on that part were dug up and moved down Regent Road to a "new" site,  now known as New Calton Burial Ground. Now until Monday it amazes me that I did not know that on the other side of Waterloo Place, next to Howies restaurant is a small part of Old Calton Burial Ground, I can't for the life of me know how I missed this, having more or less walked past the gates on Calton Hill, literary hundreds of times, the entrance is tucked between the rear of Howies and The Parliament House hotel. It's the wee road that comes out at Calton Road/Leith Street is, The Black Bull pub sits there. So it shows that coming up for 58 years old I am still learning things about the city I love. Colin is a guide on the Tour buses you see around Edinburgh, one of the few with a live guide, rather than a recording and headphones. He is also involved with Edinburgh World Heritage an independent charity that aims to ensure the city's World Heritage  status benefits everyone. Colin has also guided tours through Greyfriars Kirkyard, working closely with, now correct me if I wrong Colin, Dr Susan Buckham Graveyards Project Manager with the charity. Colin has invited me to jump on the tour bus with him sometime in the spring, I look forward to doing so and grabbing pics from a perspective I would not normally enjoy.