The National:

HE has long been one of the more colourful members of the pro-independence movement and while the actions of Sean Clerkin, best known for his association with Scottish Resistance, are not to everybody’s taste, there’s no denying the man’s ability to grab a headline or two.

As a postscript to our story about BBC Scotland’s links to Scotland in Union (SiU), the Jouker has discovered the quite extraordinary fact that one of the people contacted by SiU about taking part in the BBC’s new Debate Night was none other than Sean Clerkin.

Yes, the Unionist organisation which, because of their bumbling, all Yes movement people would like to see run the No campaign in the next independence referendum, could not detect the presence of one of the most high-profile pro-independence figures in its membership.

Clerkin happily admits that he sent in his name to SiU for a joke, but it turned out to be a serious issue when he got the following letter from SiU. “Hello Sean. It is important to us to ensure that your voice is heard and there are a few ways in which you can help us do just that.

“We are looking for people who are willing to do short interviews on camera – reflecting on why you support Scotland in Union and why you think it’s important that we are still active and needed in 2019 ... get in contact if this is something you would like to do.”

That will be a big No from Clerkin then...

But here’s when the missive got interesting.

“BBC Scotland’s Debate Night: You may have heard about the new BBC Scotland channel set to launch this Sunday February 24?

“Well, they are looking for applications from people specifically in Edinburgh and surrounding areas to contribute questions and comments to a panel of invited guests for their new show, Debate Night, which has been billed as Scotland’s version of Question Time.”

We rather think the BBC might have checked out Sean Clerkin a bit more than SiU.