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Deportation campaign wins award Deportation campaign wins award
(about 10 hours later)
The campaign to block the deportation of a Shetland man to Thailand has won a major accolade at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards.The campaign to block the deportation of a Shetland man to Thailand has won a major accolade at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards.
The effort to keep Sakchai Makao, 23, in Scotland was named best public campaign of the year at the ceremony.The effort to keep Sakchai Makao, 23, in Scotland was named best public campaign of the year at the ceremony.
Health Minister Andy Kerr was named politician of the year for his work on banning smoking in public places.Health Minister Andy Kerr was named politician of the year for his work on banning smoking in public places.
The SNP's Angus MacNeil was named best Scot at Westminster for sparking the cash-for-honours probe.The SNP's Angus MacNeil was named best Scot at Westminster for sparking the cash-for-honours probe.
His complaint led to the police investigation into whether party donors received honours in return for cash. All those involved deny any wrongdoing.His complaint led to the police investigation into whether party donors received honours in return for cash. All those involved deny any wrongdoing.
Immigration officers All these people helped me and that's why I'm here. They deserve it, it pays them back Sakchai Makao
Mr MacNeil, who contacted the police after dusting off anti-corruption legislation from 1925, was also named Inquisitor of the Year by The Spectator on Thursday.Mr MacNeil, who contacted the police after dusting off anti-corruption legislation from 1925, was also named Inquisitor of the Year by The Spectator on Thursday.
The public campaign of the year award was given to the people of Shetland.The public campaign of the year award was given to the people of Shetland.
'Unexpected' win
The community began the fight to halt the deportation of Sakchai Makao after he was taken from his house by immigration officers in June.The community began the fight to halt the deportation of Sakchai Makao after he was taken from his house by immigration officers in June.
Andy Kerr has one of the cabinet's toughest rolesAndy Kerr has one of the cabinet's toughest roles
A petition calling for his release was signed by more than 8,000 Shetlanders - more than a third of the island's population.A petition calling for his release was signed by more than 8,000 Shetlanders - more than a third of the island's population.
He faced deportation as a foreign national with a criminal record, having spent eight months in jail for fire-raising in 2004.He faced deportation as a foreign national with a criminal record, having spent eight months in jail for fire-raising in 2004.
Although born in Thailand, the lifeguard had lived on Shetland since he was 10.Although born in Thailand, the lifeguard had lived on Shetland since he was 10.
Islanders took their campaign to Holyrood and Westminster, and in July Makao won his appeal at an immigration tribunal and was allowed to resume his life in Shetland.Islanders took their campaign to Holyrood and Westminster, and in July Makao won his appeal at an immigration tribunal and was allowed to resume his life in Shetland.
He told the BBC Scotland news website: "It's unexpected but it's great for the campaign to win. All these people helped me and that's why I'm here. They deserve it, it pays them back."
The other award winners at the ceremony in Edinburgh included Transport Minister Tavish Scott, who was named Debater of the Year at Holyrood.The other award winners at the ceremony in Edinburgh included Transport Minister Tavish Scott, who was named Debater of the Year at Holyrood.
Seven Green MSPs were elected at the last Holyrood voteSeven Green MSPs were elected at the last Holyrood vote
The Justice 1 Committee was chosen as committee of the year for its investigations into the Shirley McKie fingerprint case and the Scottish Criminal Records Office.The Justice 1 Committee was chosen as committee of the year for its investigations into the Shirley McKie fingerprint case and the Scottish Criminal Records Office.
Labour MSP Karen Gillon, who campaigned to introduce a member's bill on corporate killing, was named free spirit of the year.Labour MSP Karen Gillon, who campaigned to introduce a member's bill on corporate killing, was named free spirit of the year.
The Green Party's seven MSPs picked up the Johnnie Walker award for progress, which is given to those showing the greatest development during the year.The Green Party's seven MSPs picked up the Johnnie Walker award for progress, which is given to those showing the greatest development during the year.
The judges said they had moved from the Holyrood fringes to the brink of a possible coalition after next year's election.The judges said they had moved from the Holyrood fringes to the brink of a possible coalition after next year's election.
The awards are sponsored by The Herald and drinks firm Diageo.The awards are sponsored by The Herald and drinks firm Diageo.
Difficult roleDifficult role
The newspaper's editor, Charles McGhee, said it had been an extremely tough judging process this year.The newspaper's editor, Charles McGhee, said it had been an extremely tough judging process this year.
He said the health minister had one of the most difficult roles in the cabinet and had seen controversy over issues like hospital closures.He said the health minister had one of the most difficult roles in the cabinet and had seen controversy over issues like hospital closures.
"But Mr Kerr's successful implementation of the smoking ban in public enclosed spaces, in the face of hostile opposition, has dominated the health agenda and has made Scotland a healthier place for everyone," he said."But Mr Kerr's successful implementation of the smoking ban in public enclosed spaces, in the face of hostile opposition, has dominated the health agenda and has made Scotland a healthier place for everyone," he said.
"It is fitting, therefore, that his role in delivering this ground-breaking piece of legislation - pioneered in the UK by Scotland - should be recognised by these awards.""It is fitting, therefore, that his role in delivering this ground-breaking piece of legislation - pioneered in the UK by Scotland - should be recognised by these awards."