Declaration of Dumfries

13/10/2026

Educating the Energy Ombudsman
More Embarrassing Climbdowns from Supposedly Impartial Service

Declaration of Dumfries
13th October 2026

(Link to Substack in comments)

This article is an update in our Nowt Dumber than a Smart Meter series.

First we provided official confirmation that arranging your own meters is perfectly acceptable within Scottish Power’s terms and conditions, a fact that was subsequently confirmed within their own correspondence.

We then exposed a worrisome lack of knowledge of this fact within Scottish Power itself and even amongst staff at the energy ombudsman, who showed a disturbing display of displeasure and discontent at the prospect of private meters.

Then, in Nowt Dumber than a Smart Meter: Update—Who will Coach the (Energy Ombudsman) Coaches? we reported on a Dispute Resolution Coach (DRC) at the ombudsman having to apologise for the blatant bias amongst energy ombudsman staff, whilst verifying once again that the installation of privately owned, non-smart meters is indeed acceptable within Scottish Power’s terms and conditions.

Since then we’ve had another interesting development. A further email from Dispute Resolution Coach Claire Palmer-Abbott’s email contained several questionable assertions:

I have spoken to Scottish Power to confirm their position and am waiting on a response. They did advise as part the terms of installing your own meter, you must have agreement from the supplier that this is ok.

I have just spoken to Scottish Power . . . They have asked that before this visit is arranged with you for me to confirm who fitted the meters at site. Please could you reply to this email as soon as possible to advise which company fitted these . . . ?

To ensure we are able to reach a resolution, we require your cooperation throughout our investigation. Providing the information, documentation, or clarification requested will allow us to gain a full understanding of the circumstances surrounding your concerns and ensure that all relevant factors are considered.

Without your assistance, we may be unable to fully investigate the issues raised, which could impact our ability to reach a resolution that addresses your concerns.

We remain committed to resolving this matter as effectively as possible and would therefore appreciate your continued cooperation in helping us progress our review.

Many Thanks

Claire Palmer‑Abbott, Dispute Resolution Coach

Ms Palmer-Abbott was then challenged on those statements, and also regarding what seemed to be collaboration with the energy supplier, with the “we”/“us” paragraphs clearly a copy/paste straight from Scottish Power. (Interesting how “I” and “they” became “we” and “us” within the space of a sentence!)

Her response was markedly different to the previous email.

When challenged to provide evidence for ‘You must have agreement from the supplier’ and ‘confirm who fitted the meters’ the ombudsman DRC switched to ‘My previous email reflected my understanding of the information available to me at the time.’

Now there’s a climbdown if ever we saw one.

Ms Palmer-Abbott added:

‘ . . . regarding my communications with Scottish Power. I can assure you that my intention has not been to act as an advocate for either party . . . I do not accept that there has been any collusion or deliberate prejudice…’

‘I note your preference to deal directly with Scottish Power . . . Should Scottish Power wish to engage with you directly on this matter, I would expect them to do so.’

So, just like that, instead of acting as a go-between on behalf of an energy supplier for a case that was marked as resolved, the ombudsman has backed off, leaving the ball firmly and squarely in Scottish Power’s court, who’ve been exceptionally quiet of late!

Will Scottish Power get in touch? Or has the proverbial cat got their tongue?

Stay tuned for more updates.

DoD

Right of Reply: Contact [email protected] with additional or alternative information. Anonymity guaranteed.

13/10/2026

https://declarationofdumfries.substack.com/p/educating-the-energy-ombudsman

More Embarrassing Climbdowns from Supposedly Impartial Service

07/10/2026

Nowt Dumber than a Smart Meter: Update
Who will Coach the (Energy Ombudsman) Coaches?

Declaration of Dumfries
7th October 2026

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes, so goes the famous quote from 2nd century satirist and poet Juvenal goes—literally translated to "Who will guard the guards themselves?" or "Who will watch the watchmen?"

We’ve had an important update since exposing the inherent bias within the supposedly impartial watchman—the Energy Ombudsman—in a recent article.

A complaint was made to the EO about the behaviour of their staff which came to light in a subject access request, containing tirades such as a member of EO staff—purported to be a Dispute Resolution Coach—spouting, clearly in a tizzy:

‘I don’t know why we did remedy 1 [i.e. assess meters for safety] this meter should be removed and I am unsure why SP and our service are dancing round this point.’

And:

‘[Dispute Resolution Executive] Shugor said that someone high up in safety at SP said they would leave the meter in and test it for safety? This goes against so many things.’

The response—coming this time from a different Dispute Resolution Coach by the name of Claire Palmer-Abbott—was as unequivocal as it was vindicating:��

“Good Afternoon,

My name is Claire Palmer-Abbott and I am a Dispute Resolution Coach at The Energy Ombudsman.

Firstly, let me start my saying how sorry I am to see the amount of time you have had to spend in relation to this complaint.

A formal complaint was raised on 22 September in relation to the progress of the decision, in which Amy Crofts responded on 23 September 2026 outlining the points you have raised. She confirmed in a letter to you that it was her that had stated the meters should be removed and apologised for this.

What I have done

I am sorry Amy advised consumers cannot install and use their own metering assets for billing purposes. As you have pointed out, Scottish Powers terms and conditions state this is something that can be done. I have spoken to Scottish Power to confirm their position and am waiting on a response.

I am sorry to hear that you feel you need to take your complaint further. I understand your frustration with this situation, and I do agree that there have been occasions we could’ve handled your dispute better.

Many Thanks

Claire Palmer‑Abbott (Coach)

So there we have it, confirmation once again that installing privately meters is perfectly acceptable—this time from the Energy Ombudsman itself after an embarrassing climbdown and apology. One can easily imagine meetings held and lessons learned—the fact that this ever had to happen at the ombudsman is concerning in itself, but happen it did.

So, Who Will Coach the (Energy Ombudsman) Coaches? We know someone who did just that.

DoD

Right of Reply: Contact [email protected] with additional or alternative information. Anonymity guaranteed.

(Link to Substack article in comments)

07/10/2026

https://declarationofdumfries.substack.com/p/nowt-dumber-than-a-smart-meter-update

Who will Coach the (Energy Ombudsman) Coaches?

28/09/2026

Whitesands: Where the Blame Lies
Open Letter to DGC’s Karen Brownlie After Unwarranted Attack

Declaration of Dumfries
28th September 2026

(Link to Substack in comments)

Dear Karen,

It has come to my attention that you have come under fire from certain quarters on social media, seemingly for your failure to look into historic records to determine the alienability of the common good assets affected by the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme.

I wish to make it clear that I do not condone this defamatory, personal attack on you in any way, Karen, and that it had nothing at all to do with this outlet.

Quite why those individuals thought to rake through the archives for historical documents—between 1960 and 1965, no less, for reasons best known to themselves—to search for permission for a project almost half a century before it was even conceived, is way beyond the scope of my comprehension.

This was a particularly fruitless exercise considering that the entirety of the Whitesands common good was officially confirmed as inalienable in October of last year, giving the official and up-to-date status—the only thing that counts.

In your role as Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure it is not your obligation to determine the legal status of projects: that responsibility lies firmly and squarely with the council’s monitoring officer, and it is he who ought to bear the brunt of any transgressions in that regard. And bear the brunt he will.

As far as I’m aware, your only involvement in the Whitesands lack of legal standing was at the full council meeting in December of last year, when you stated on public record that a “decision” to use the common good land for the Whitesands had been made by the October 2014 subcommittee. I can only surmise that you were cajoled into this gaslighting exercise, but it was, in reality, an unwitting admission that the Whitesands project does not have legal standing, because even you are bound to know that inalienable common good cannot be “decided” or “voted” away by a common good subcommittee.

Such permission can only be granted by a sheriff or the Court of Session via a successful section 75(2) application.

I know it. You know it. Vlad knows it. And in time the whole of Dumfries will know it too.

Yours sincerely,

MJ Sutherland

28/09/2026

https://declarationofdumfries.substack.com/p/whitesands-where-the-blame-lies

Open Letter to DGC’s Karen Brownlie After Unwarranted Attack

27/09/2026

Nowt Dumber than a Smart Meter
Fun and Games with Energy Companies (and Prejudiced Ombudsmen)

Declaration of Dumfries
24 September 2026

If, like increasing numbers of people, you are uncomfortable with the intrusive technology of surveillance and control, commonly known as ‘SMART’ meters, there are simple, legal and lawful ways round it. Although they won’t like very much. In fact, won’t like it at all.

For instance, clause 16.1 of ScottishPower’s General and Deemed Terms and Conditions states: ‘You must allow all authorised metering equipment which is installed at the property and which is working properly to remain in place, unless you want to install your own meter under section 16.3.’

Clause 16.3: ‘You can make your own arrangements for installing a meter, as long as the meter meets the relevant industry regulations.’

There you have it. Clear. Unambiguous. Unequivocal. Nowhere does it mention requiring permission. Providing your own meter is de facto authorised within their own terms, contractually, provided that it is to standard.

But try telling that to energy supplier staff. In their quasi-religious crusade to install as many of these idiot devices as possible within every home, it seems that ScottishPower (and no doubt all energy companies) are not keen on educating their own agents about the get-out clauses contained within their own rules. And why would they, when documents such as the UK government’s Smart Metering Policy Framework - Post 2025 proudly announces that it:

Link in comments.