For Argyll

John Smeaton, whom the entire UK got to know after his actions in the attack on Glasgow Airport on 30th June 2007 is in the Royal Alexandra Hospital’s intensive care unit. He was brought in with a serious attack of athsma. The hospital said last night that his condition was ’stable’.

The charismatic Mr Smeaton came to widespread attention when he ‘got stuck in’, helping to prevent one of the suicide bombers at the airport from completing his task of destroying the airport and killing unimaginable numbers of holidaymakers there.

Gordon Brown, to add lustre to his leadership and being something of a one-trick pony, borrowed Mr Smeaton’s star dust on every possible occasions, parading him at public events and referring to him regularly - often to Mr Smeaton’s discomfort. Last December he had Mr Smeaton awarded the Queen’s Medal for Gallantry, one of the highest civilian honours for bravery.

This sequence of events unfortunately made John Smeaton the subject of jealousies amongst his colleagues who saw him as singled out for celebration - which was literally the case although none of it was of his doing.

In the end, a straightforward and brave man was used for political ends in a world far removed from his own and left subject to bitter recriminations by his fellows because of it. Athsma attacks can be stress related. Mr Smeaton’s behaviour has always been exemplary. Others should examine their consciences.

(Sunday 12th October) Mr Smeaton remains in intensive care after his condition worsened, but is now stable again.