The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Nicola Sturgeon's lawyer makes a major U-turn on her Operation Branchform sta...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
13 Jul 2026 at 8:32pm
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will not release the detailed written statement she gave to Police Scotland during the Operation Branchform investigation, her lawyer has confirmed, despite previously claiming she would be content to make it public.


Ann Widdecombe was controversial - that is no excuse for demeaning her in death
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
13 Jul 2026 at 4:49pm
You don't have to admire Ann Widdecombe's political views to condemn the misogyny aimed at her in her death, Rebecca McCurdy writes.


Glasgow MP warns asylum hotels are fuelling intimidation and violence
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
13 Jul 2026 at 3:09pm
A Glasgow Labour MP has warned asylum hotels are fuelling 'right-wing intimidation and violence' as protests increase across the city.


Amnesty UK 'regrets' report which labelled JK Rowling centre 'anti-rights'
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
13 Jul 2026 at 2:56pm
Amnesty International has distanced itself from the UK arm which labelled Beira's Place - JK Rowling's women's abuse organisation - 'anti-rights'.


Housing crisis campaign recognised with top Scottish public affairs award
by rose.moncur@newsquest.co.uk | Rose Moncur
13 Jul 2026 at 12:45pm
A campaign highlighting Scotland's housing emergency has won a top industry award for its public affairs work.


JK Rowling?s rape support centre hits back at Amnesty ?anti-rights? label
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
13 Jul 2026 at 12:08pm
Beira's Place, the women's rape support centre founded by JK Rowling, has hit back at an Amnesty report which labelled it 'anti-rights'.


Heriot-Watt University closes clearing to all Scottish applicants as funding ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
13 Jul 2026 at 11:42am
Scottish school-leavers have been told not to apply to Heriot-Watt through clearing after the university confirmed it has filled all of its Scottish Government-funded places for this year's intake.


Prestwick Airport's financial results revealed
by ian.mcconnell@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Ian McConnell
13 Jul 2026 at 9:01am
The financial results of Prestwick Airport, which has been owned by the Scottish Government since 2013, have been revealed


New data on knives seized from school pupils exposes rise in youth violence
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
13 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
The SNP has been accused of 'failing to act' on youth violence as police seize hundreds of knives from Scotland's schools.


Foreign office boss sacked by Starmer over Mandelson vetting takes legal action
13 Jul 2026 at 10:50am
Sir Olly Robbins has launched legal action against the Government over his dismissal for his alleged role in the Lord Mandelson scandal.


Peter Murrell 'called the shots' at Yes Scotland including donations, insider...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Jul 2026 at 2:39pm
The former marketing director of Yes Scotland claimed Peter Murrell 'called the shots' at the pro-independence group.


Aberdeen University employee investigated for wishing Ann Widdecombe 'painful...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Jul 2026 at 1:26pm
An Aberdeen University employee is being investigated after saying she hoped Ann Widdecombe suffered an "extremely painful" death.


Amnesty refuses to say whether it will apologise to JK Rowling rape support c...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Jul 2026 at 11:54am
Amnesty International UK has removed a report describing a sexual abuse centre set up by JK Rowling anti-rights, but the organisation has not said whether it intends to apologise.


Reform MSP warns about online misinformation after Glasgow protests
12 Jul 2026 at 11:32am
Reform UK Scotland?s deputy leader has urged the public to ?be very careful? about online information which has led to protests in Glasgow.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Nicola Sturgeon refuses to publish statement she provided to police after arrest
13 Jul 2026 at 7:52pm

Opposition politicians had urged her to release the document

Beira's Place was listed as an ?anti-rights group? by the charity alongside other ?gender-critical organisations?

The former Conservative minister and later Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her after sustaining serious injuries

SNP ministers have been accused of ?turning their backs on Scotland?s small businesses? after thousands of traders have missed out on a flagship rates relief scheme after a controversial revaluation

Scottish Labour has warned that ?thousands of Scots are stuck in limbo waiting for the social care support they need?

The campaign has argued there is a ?desperate attempt to link Mr Murrell?s criminal conduct in the SNP to that of Yes Scotland?.

Andy Burnham is facing a rebellion over Labour?s hostile immigration strategy

Wings over Scotland

The Unstoppable Lie Machine
13 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm
Six weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon said this: Today, on her behalf, her perpetually furious lawyer said this: So she was lying. Imagine literally nobody’s surprise. “I have nothing to hide, but I’m going to hide it anyway” is flawlessly in character. (Though we must take a moment to note that the idea of anyone bothering …

Step One
12 Jul 2026 at 3:05pm
Today’s Sunday Mail leads for the second weekend in a row on questions about the finances of Yes Scotland. But there’s a paragraph in the online version of the story that doesn’t make the print edition, and it’s a shame, because it’s a very telling one. This is it, from Yes Scotland’s former marketing director …

It just takes a beat
10 Jul 2026 at 12:58pm
Looks like we turned that round pretty fast, gang. Six weeks ago: And today: Amazing what a draft document and a KC opinion can do, eh? A casual observer might be forgiven for thinking that the SNP was absolutely cold-sweat desperate to avoid a civil case that would set a powerful precedent for a legal …

The Only Notes That Really Count
9 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm
Wings has this evening received a formal legal opinion from Roddy Dunlop KC with regard to the prospects of success of a claim of fraudulent breach of trust by the SNP against donors to the “ringfenced” referendum campaign fundraisers. We attach it below. We continue to seek more people to join the group – if …

Your Call Is Important To Us
9 Jul 2026 at 2:43pm
We’ve had TWO emails from the Crown Office already this week, neither of which says anything except “Please hold”. We’ve added them to our “in due course” collection, also featuring Police Scotland. We’re sure that the answers, whenever they eventually arrive, are going to be absolute bangers. Everyone’s certainly taking the time to have a …

The Interests Of The Many
7 Jul 2026 at 11:50am
As we told you last week, we’ve now had counsel draft our application for a group proceedings action on behalf of donors to the “ringfenced” independence referendum campaign funds which were stolen and spent by the SNP on party business. The draft can be read below. We’ve already gathered dozens of people who are unhappy …

Search And Replace
5 Jul 2026 at 3:34pm
Here’s a passage from Crown Agent John Logue’s recent BBC interview in which he described the crime for which Peter Murrell was just sentenced to five years and three months in prison. You’ll note that we’ve highlighted a few words and phrases in red. JOHN LOGUE: I think the best way I can describe it …

Narrowing the options
3 Jul 2026 at 12:12pm
We’ve just sent this letter to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Dear Sirs/Madams, Thank you for your response, which I have considered with care. I note you have advised that ?full consideration was given to whether the crime of fraud could be established. That investigation did not disclose sufficient evidence of fraud, or …

Fob, Fob, Fobbing Along
2 Jul 2026 at 4:49pm
We have received a further reply from the Crown Office. Alert readers may note that while Wings has repeatedly noted that the misappropriation of the fundraiser money by the SNP could constitute either fraud OR embezzlement (or both), entirely separate to the embezzlement FROM the SNP by Peter Murrell, the Crown Office continues – as …

Tuning In The Shine
2 Jul 2026 at 1:39pm
For any of you who haven’t caught it yet, my interview from Monday’s BBC Scotcast (which is also available on Spotify). ? Sadly due to a summer scheduling quirk the video version won’t go out on the telly, and seemingly not on the BBC YouTube page either, so you’ll just have to listen to the …

Craig Murray

The Ditching of Nigel Farage
11 Jul 2026 at 8:36am

Nigel Farage is the most consequential British politician of the 21st century. Certainly a more important historic figure than any of the last eight Prime Ministers. Tony Blair is the only realistic rival. Without Farage, the UK would never have left the European Union. Farage’s role in forcing the issue to the top of the …

The Ditching of Nigel Farage

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back
1 Jul 2026 at 12:50pm

I publish below in full the Note we have submitted to Court today to re-establish the separate Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. Not only is the state doubling down on prosecution of pro-Palestine activists, a new National Security State Threats Bill is being fast tracked through parliament to extend the attack …

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism
29 Jun 2026 at 9:50am

The provisional surrender document signed by Donald Trump appeared to represent a triumph for Iran and indeed for the world; but neither the USA nor Israel has the slightest sense of honour and they cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith. Iran knows this – after all, the USA twice attacked Iran actually during …

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism

The UK Joins the Pirates
15 Jun 2026 at 1:21pm

I was genuinely surprised by the Starmer regime’s refusal to state that the Israeli boarding of the Global Sumud flotilla on the High Seas was illegal. I did not realise it was because the UK was planning to undertake similar illegal seizure itself. The Gaza Flotilla seizure was illegal: while for obvious reasons freedom of …

The UK Joins the Pirates

Sentencing the Innocent
13 Jun 2026 at 4:41pm

Judge Johnson had proved his fascist credentials through rulings much earlier in the Filton trial than his vicious sentencing. Indeed, he had arguably already shown them when he released Tommy Robinson from a prison sentence, or when as a barrister he had chosen to work for the intelligence services and Ministry of Defence. But in …

Sentencing the Innocent

The Joy of Resistance
6 Jun 2026 at 9:51am

Just a quick note to say that I am very aware that lately I have been rather bitter, which is not good for anybody, especially me. The disappointments and state outrages have been no worse than usual; my frustration at my poor health, and the subsequent constraint of my ability to fight back, has rather …

The Joy of Resistance

BBC Scotland

University investigates employee's comments on Ann Widdecombe's death
13 Jul 2026 at 11:32am
Aberdeen University's Heather Herbert had posted she hoped it was an "extremely painful death".

Bullying pupils protected more than victims, parents say
13 Jul 2026 at 6:23am
Lesley is one of a group of parents who believe existing school guidelines on bullying are not enough.

McGill's files legal action after £4.3m electric bus funding rejected
11 Jul 2026 at 4:39pm
The Greenock-based operator failed to secure support from the third phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund.

Police take no action against senior civil servant over Salmond inquiry evidence
10 Jul 2026 at 6:42pm
James Hynd was investigated over whether he gave a false statement under oath to the Alex Salmond inquiry in 2020.

Struggling pig farmers say £2m support package 'not enough'
10 Jul 2026 at 2:30pm
Farmers welcome the Scottish government funding but say it's not enough to stop them losing about £1m a month

Restore Britain leader describes Dunblane tragedy as 'one murder'
9 Jul 2026 at 4:02pm
Rupert Lowe criticised the ban of handguns in the UK, saying it was "because there was a murder in Dunblane".

Town's residents urged to drop 'destructive' negativity
10 Jul 2026 at 6:18am
Provost Tracey Little urges people in Dumfries not to believe the town's best days are behind it.

Farage is victim of by-election 'stitch-up', claims Reform's Scottish leader
8 Jul 2026 at 4:37pm
Malcolm Offord made the remark as major parties have confirmed they will not contest the vote triggered by Farage's resignation, describing it as a political stunt.

SNP suspends councillor who voted for rapist taxi driver to keep licence
8 Jul 2026 at 11:50am
Chris Birt was one of six male councillors who voted to take no action on David Brown's operator's licence

Police inquiry into Yes Scotland campaign's 'missing £1.5m' claim
7 Jul 2026 at 7:33pm
The group campaigned in favour of Scottish independence during the 2014 referendum.

Four councillors quit after vote for rapist taxi driver to keep operator licence
7 Jul 2026 at 2:16pm
The four have resigned from Highland licensing committee after voting to allow David Brown to keep an operator's licence.

'Mansion tax' could double rates on Scotland's most expensive homes
6 Jul 2026 at 1:34pm
SNP ministers have has proposed a steep council tax increase for properties worth more than £1m.

Scot Goes Pop

SNP vote INCREASES in Larkhall by-election as Burnham FAILS his first Scottis...
13 Jul 2026 at 12:24am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov...

Why so many Scots want NORWAY to beat England in the World Cup: three CRACKIN...
10 Jul 2026 at 2:20pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov...

Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov Scottish sub...
8 Jul 2026 at 3:01pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Another stunning SNP by-election GAIN as the Tories go into FREE...

Another stunning SNP by-election GAIN as the Tories go into FREEFALL in the n...
4 Jul 2026 at 2:11pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE. A great reply semi-ruined by the final sentence. Stew? In Scotland?! The very ...

"IS THAT IT, ANDY?!" Only a 2% Burnham bounce for Labour with YouGov, as SNP ...
1 Jul 2026 at 11:59am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Burnham in danger of making government from Manchester as remote...

King of the South: Andy Burnham will make rule from Manchester as detested in...
30 Jun 2026 at 3:42am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Yet another poll suggests Burnham surge is a damp squib - SNP do...

Yet another poll suggests Burnham surge is a damp squib - SNP are dominant in...
29 Jun 2026 at 2:28am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.As regular readers may recall, I've been an elected member of the SNP's Policy Devel...

By-election sensation as SNP *gain* seat in Aberdeen - John Swinney's party a...
27 Jun 2026 at 8:40pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Scotland immune to Burnham effect? SNP buoyed by stellar subsamp...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Nicola Sturgeon?s statement to police will not be released, lawyer says
13 Jul 2026 at 10:08pm
After her arrest in 2023, Sturgeon exercised her right to give a 'no comment' police interview.

Burnham will be next prime minister after 349 MPs back him for Labour leadership
13 Jul 2026 at 7:34pm
Burnham is expected to formally take over the Labour leadership at a special party conference on Friday

Protests causing ?fear and alarm? to Scotland?s minority communities ? Gilruth
13 Jul 2026 at 6:54pm
The deputy first minister said MSPs at Holyrood should ?reflect? on their language after ?stoking? community tensions

What do Andy Burnham?s Scottish pals think of him?
13 Jul 2026 at 5:27pm
The former mayor of Manchester is set to become the UK's next Prime Minister

Insight: Can Andy Burnham avoid making the same mistakes as Sir Keir Starmer?
13 Jul 2026 at 12:33pm
The former Greater Manchester mayor looks set to take over as prime minister in the coming days

Burnham urged to reverse national insurance rise costing firms £1,000 per worker
11 Jul 2026 at 10:05am
For those on the real living wage of about £26,228 a year, employers are paying an average of £890 extra in tax a year, according to new analysis

Pig farmers say £2 million government support isn?t enough
10 Jul 2026 at 5:09pm
Prices have dropped because there?s too much pork in the market and not enough demand

Ann Widdecombe, former Tory MP and Reform UK member, dies aged 78
10 Jul 2026 at 7:12am
The death of the 78-year-old was announced on Friday

MP calls Dunblane massacre ?one murder? on Joe Rogan podcast
9 Jul 2026 at 10:28am
On March 13, 1996, 16 pupils and their teacher were shot dead at Dunblane Primary School

Burnham poised for coronation as last potential rival rules out leadership bid
8 Jul 2026 at 11:03pm
Al Carns, thought to be the final remaining potential challenger to the former Greater Manchester mayor, has ruled himself out of the running.

Chancellor accepts Nigel Farage?s resignation as MP for ?farce? by-election
8 Jul 2026 at 1:39pm
Rachel Reeves said she wouldn't stop Farage spending his summer "arguing with a bin".

Nigel Farage victim of by-election ?stitch-up?, says Reform?s Scottish leader...
8 Jul 2026 at 1:10pm
Parties from across the political spectrum have said they will not contest the Clacton by-election sparked by the Reform leader?s resignation

Al Carns: Who is the Scottish Royal Marines colonel who hasn?t backed Andy Bu...
7 Jul 2026 at 1:45pm
One Labour MP has very publicly refused to make up his mind about the former Manchester mayor

Nigel Farage to resign as MP to trigger by-election
7 Jul 2026 at 12:12pm
The Reform UK leader will fight the forthcoming vote in Clacton in a contest he said was the 'people versus the establishment'

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Why Andy Burnham as Prime Minister will be good for Glasgow and Scotland
13 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm
In an article for the Daily Record, Labour MSP Paul Sweeney says plain-speaking Andy Burnham will be an antidote to the "liberal elite" that has "captured" Labour.

Campaigners to meet police over claims of 'missing £1.5m' from indy group lin...
13 Jul 2026 at 4:44pm
EXCLUSIVE: David Henry will be interviewed tomorrow at Fettes police station.

SNP Government blocks golden goodbye payments for councillors next year
13 Jul 2026 at 3:02pm
EXCLUSIVE: Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said there was ?insufficient time? for a new system to be brought in before the 2027 elections.

Summer of sport continues despite Scotland's World Cup adventure ending all t...
13 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Writing in his regular column for the Record, the First Minister looks forward to the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow.

UK must continue helping the Lebanese rebuild their country after devastating...
12 Jul 2026 at 2:19pm
Writing for the Record, the MP for Central Ayrshire recalls a recent visit to Lebanon as the country tries to rebuild after a series of devastating set-backs.

Glasgow City Council urged to drop demand for £42,000 from mum who opposed sc...
12 Jul 2026 at 12:14pm
Leanne McGuire has been hit with a personal demand for more than £42,000 in costs after she tried and failed to secure a judicial review of the council's annual budget.

Rupert Lowe 'insulted' Dunblane victims as Restore Britain leader told to apo...
12 Jul 2026 at 10:17am
A senior MSP told the Record the "proud legacy of the dreadful events in Dunblane must never be tarnished by the likes of Rupert Lowe"

Peter Murrell 'called the shots behind Yes Scotland campaign and cash' claims...
12 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Ian Dommett, Yes Scotland?s marketing director until January 2014, said jailed ex-SNP boss Murrell demanded control over 2014 campaign.

SNP's £825k 'bailout' of Yes Scotland at end of 2014 referendum questioned
12 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
The payments in late 2014 were first revealed in Electoral Commission records the following year.

Malcolm Offord challenged on donation to Reform UK after two months of avoidi...
12 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
The party?s multi­millionaire Scottish leader admitted in late April he?d given a ?small amount? to Nigel Farage?s outfit.

The National

The National | Politics

John Swinney will be toast if he can't confirm a route to independence
13 Jul 2026 at 8:30pm

IT seems sad that a ?pound of flesh? is not sufficient for some. Just when we had reached a point where most independence supporters felt we could get back on track with the pursuit of Scotland?s independence, some appear intent on pursuing their own personal agendas and on providing our opponents with more ammunition.

Are asylum seekers 'being housed in this derelict Glasgow care home'? We went...
13 Jul 2026 at 5:59pm

STEEL barricades on the windows and doors. Huge padlocks on every entrance. Graffitied walls, empty cans, and smashed bottles ...

Commons Speaker makes dig at Reform after security complaints
13 Jul 2026 at 5:24pm

SPEAKER Lindsay Hoyle told the Commons that he was ?sorry? some MPs didn?t think he took their security seriously, in a veiled dig at Reform UK.

Reform voters report journalist to police for posting about Nigel Farage
13 Jul 2026 at 5:10pm

REFORM supporters have been encouraging one another to report a journalist to the police for what they perceive as too many posts about Nigel Farage.

Amnesty backtracks on 'anti-rights' report and launches investigation
13 Jul 2026 at 4:43pm

AMNESTY International has expressed its "regret" over a report naming dozens of gender-critical campaign groups as "anti-rights" organisations.

How Reform MSP Thomas Kerr used false crime stats to disparage Glasgow
13 Jul 2026 at 4:34pm

ANOTHER day, another falsehood from Reform UK to correct ...

Aberdeen University staffer says backlash to Ann Widdecombe comments 'overblown'
13 Jul 2026 at 4:28pm

A UNIVERSITY of Aberdeen staff member has said a row over her comments following the death of Ann Widdecombe are ?hugely overblown?.

Donald Trump says US to reinstate Hormuz blockade and impose 20 per cent carg...
13 Jul 2026 at 4:14pm

DONALD Trump has said that the US will reinstate the Strait of Hormuz blockade and impose a 20 per cent charge on cargo ...

Orange Order pen letter to Andy Burnham asking him to save the Union
13 Jul 2026 at 3:47pm

The leadership of the Orange Order is pressing the man expected to become the next prime minister, Andy Burnham, to address ?challenges to the Union? ...

MP ?groped breasts of two women? at London?s Groucho Club, court told
13 Jul 2026 at 3:45pm

AN MP groped the breasts of two women at London?s Groucho Club after pestering them to have a drink with him, a court has heard.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

UK sanctions ?destructive? Russian cyber hackers targeting critical services
13 Jul 2026 at 5:59pm
The UK government?has sanctioned 24 individuals?involved in cyber-attacks?linked to Russian intelligence agencies.?

University of Aberdeen investigating staff member?s comments about Ann Widdec...
13 Jul 2026 at 5:28pm
A Reform MSP has called on the university to suspend or dismiss employee Heather Herbert

AI scanner could reduce lung cancer diagnosis time to ?minutes?
13 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Scottish researchers?develop AI powered?method for accurately?predicting?lung cancer.

JK Rowling?s Beira?s Place responds to ?deeply offensive? Amnesty report
13 Jul 2026 at 3:15pm
Amnesty International UK identified a list of ?anti-rights organisations?, of which Beira?s Place was one

Social care crisis ?piling pressure on NHS ?, warns Jackie Baillie
13 Jul 2026 at 1:01am
Figures show over 9,300 Scots are waiting for a social care assessment or a care at home package

SNP face group legal action over ?ring-fenced? independence fund
10 Jul 2026 at 1:25pm
Legal advice concludes that a ?civil claim for fraudulent breach of trust is close to irresistible?

Football banning orders expanded to tackle pitch invasions
9 Jul 2026 at 4:12pm
It comes as the government published analysis of a recent consultation on FBO legislation, which received more than 900 responses including from fans, the SFA, SPFL and Police Scotland.

Former Tory MSP advising new Reform group
9 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Maurice Golden stepped down from parliament at the election

Rupert Lowe dismisses Dunblane school massacre as ?one murder?
9 Jul 2026 at 11:54am
The Restore Britain MP's comments have been described as ?insulting? and ?despicable? by local politicians

Offord says Farage by-election boycott is ?establishment stitch-up?
8 Jul 2026 at 4:23pm
All the major parties have declined to field candidates against Farage in Clacton

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Celtic leaders doubt Burnham?s devolution drive will go beyond England?s borders
6 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Would-be prime minister has made basic missteps in pitches to Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandAndy Burnham?s devolution promises are yet to impress sceptical Celtic administrations hoping for a reset with Westminster, sources in Cardiff and Edinburgh have said.Burnham, who is expected to take...

Celtic nations begin to plan for breakup of UK in event of Reform election win
4 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Politicians brace for constitutional turmoil if Nigel Farage?s party ends up in government ? or even as a strong oppositionThe rise of Nigel Farage has prompted political leaders across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to game the unthinkable: the breakup of the United Kingdom.Unioni...

Badenoch urges Burnham to condemn defence investment plan as No 10 says fundi...
1 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm
Minister and MPs have raised concerns that his ?poisoned chalice? plan will take cash from much-needed road projectsMinister and MP ?furious? over cuts to road projects to fund defence planDan Sabbagh is the Guardian?s defence and security editor.Andy Burnham is a ?true patriot? who will provide ...

The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in nee...
23 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney?s government faces new challenges in a changing landscapeThe Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political dra...

Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
23 Jun 2026 at 2:29pm
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spending habitPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,...

Montblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spe...
23 Jun 2026 at 1:37pm
Haul is only a fraction of what the former SNP chief executive bought using embezzled party moneyPeter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNPThe white police evidence tags on the unused Montblanc pens, picnic sets, Le Creuset ramekins and the chrome Alessi teapot tell a ...

?This changes everything?: how Brexit altered Scotland?s political landscape
21 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm
Former party leaders reflect on the turbulence that followed the referendum in which most Scottish voters backed the losing sideThe decision to quit the EU bolstered support for Scottish independence, which a decade after the Brexit referendum is at near record levels, according to Scottish Labou...

Burnham calls for ?new path for Britain? as Starmer vows to fight any leaders...
19 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Cabinet loyalists tell PM he has weekend to set out timetable for exit?Now is the change moment?: Burnham staff have no doubtsPodcast: will Burnham become prime minister?What would ?change? look like if Burnham becomes PM?David Blunket...

Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP
19 Jun 2026 at 12:29pm
Tories? Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ?loud and clear? in support of the North Sea oil and gas industryThe Scottish National party has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP?s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, ...

?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection wher...
17 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Peter Murrell affair may feature, but contest seen as straight fight between SNP and Tories over energy policyThe contest for Aberdeen South, a constituency that spans urban social housing and detached homes with sculpted gardens, has been dominated by one topic: the future of North Sea oil and g...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Ich bin ein Bin liner
12 Jul 2026 at 6:08pm
Last week, Nigel Farage announced that he was going to resign as the MP for Clacton in order to fight a by election to become the MP for Clacton. In a pity political broadcast from Reform UK headquarters which was broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News, Farage railed at the media for unfairly …

Alister Jack?s colonialism remains a threat to Scotland
9 Jul 2026 at 5:15pm
The former colonial governor of the northern province, Alister Jack, who was given a peerage by Rishi Sunak as part of a back room deal. Jack rejected an earlier nomination by Boris Johnson in 2023 to avoid triggering a by-election while he was still an MP, only later to stand down for the 2024 General …

The Farage facade cracks
7 Jul 2026 at 6:53pm
Poor Nigel Facade, sorry Farage, the wee lamb has had an almighty hissy fit at the sheer audacity of the media daring to subject him to a tiny fraction of the scrutiny that is par for the course for the SNP. It was all very Trumpian. In a self-pitying Reform UK party political broadcast during …

The junkies and their dealers
5 Jul 2026 at 4:40pm
A number of peculiar developments have taken place in Scotland since the Holyrood election in May. These have been disguised by the anti-SNP media feeding frenzy which took place after the conviction of Peter Murrell for the crime of embezzlement, a crime whose victim was the SNP, despite the efforts of the British media in …

Labour?s attempted theft of the Holyrood election is being aided by the media
3 Jul 2026 at 3:32pm
Something is seriously wrong with democracy in Scotland, but the media has told us vastly more about Peter Murrell’s cruet sets than it has about what can only be described as an attempt by the Labour party to steal the Holyrood election. In fact the attempted subversion of the result of the recent election has …

Labour?s nuclear power, an offer we can refuse
2 Jul 2026 at 3:30pm
It’s an offer we can refuse. The Labour government has identified a number of sites across Scotland on which it would like to build new nuclear power plants. A report was published this week by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the political ashtray Michael Shanks, the most disappointing MP in a …

Burnham, the GB Energy of devolution
29 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
Andy Burnham’s big plan for the UK is still lacking in detail, but it’s already looking suspiciously like another of Westminster’s power grabs at the expense of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. Burnham’s big speech on Monday during which he unveiled his plans for a Number Ten North. No, Scotland, not THAT north, Burnham’s north. …

The feeding frenzy
26 Jun 2026 at 12:13pm
Peter Murrell was sentenced on Tuesday for a crime of which the SNP was the victim. That has not diminished the appetite of the media in Scotland to continue its witch hunt. Ever since Murrell pleaded guilty the media in Scotland has descended into a feeding frenzy. You’d be forgiven for thinking that it was …

Burnham?s threat to the Scottish budget
25 Jun 2026 at 1:18pm
While the media in Scotland continues to scrabble around in the bins in search of another desperate angle on the Murrell scandal, it’s looking almost certain that there will be no leadership contest in the Labour party. Close Starmer ally Darren Jones, who had been tipped to make a leadership bid, has said he will …

The burst socks of British politics
22 Jun 2026 at 3:49pm
Starmer has gone, a man whose main achievement as Prime Minister was to throw away a landslide majority in the House of Commons and make himself even more unpopular than Liz Truss. The UK is now heading for its seventh prime minister in ten years, meaning that British prime ministers don’t last as long as …

The Courier

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Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Could Rosyth-Europe ferry set sail thanks to Brexit reset?
27 May 2025 at 6:01am
Hopes have been raised for a simple solution to a cross-border problem.

Kirkcaldy MP demands pro-suicide forum is torn down
26 May 2025 at 6:01am
Around 100 suicides have been linked to the sickening forum which provides guidance to people on ending their life.

UHI Perth aviation students warn of ?unsettling times? after training firm?s ...
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
Worried Samuel Hughes, 19, is among students sharing their fears at a time of crisis for Perth College.

Fresh Dundee University strike begins over compulsory Levehulme Centre job cuts
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
University staff are taking five days of industrial action as the institution pushes ahead with plans to axe the forensic research hub.

NHS Fife nurse at centre of controversial trans tribunal suing her own trade ...
25 May 2025 at 2:32pm
A&E medic Sandie Peggie is now taking legal action against the Royal College of Nursing.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University still to strike rescue deal with government
23 May 2025 at 5:46pm
Opposition MSPs have expressed concern at the time taken to agree a deal almost a month after the fresh recovery plan was unveiled.

6 senior figures who left Dundee University during financial crisis
23 May 2025 at 5:10pm
Several university chiefs have moved on since £30m financial black hole emerged.

Dundee University activist artist leads degree show protest over financial cr...
23 May 2025 at 4:45pm
Duncan of Jordanstone student Finn Millar says he wants to play a part in "keeping the university alive".

John Swinney admits constituents have expressed Perth leisure concerns to him
23 May 2025 at 6:01am
The first minister wants further talks between both sides of Perth leisure debate.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University chief operating officer Jim McGeorge quits
22 May 2025 at 1:58pm
Dr Jim McGeorge ? who was responsible for good governance - had been on a period of extended leave.

Talking up Scotland

Talking-up Scotland

SNP invests in further reducing homelessness already much less common and sev...
13 Jul 2026 at 7:17pm
From the Scottish Government but getting no attention from BBC Scotland, STV, Herald, Scotsman or Record so far as I can see today, ten hours later, the above, and: First 100 days commitments continue to be met. Halfway through the first 100 days of the Scottish Government formed in May, the rollout of an expanded 10-year £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund is underway. £1 million is being...

As youth violence and murder by minors plummet is this the Herald?s most inac...
13 Jul 2026 at 4:22pm

SNP buy Prestwick Airport for just £1, make £14 million profit and create 5 0...
13 Jul 2026 at 3:09pm
From Ian McConnell, the Herald‘s token unbiased, intelligent and ethical journalist but clearly not in control of the headlines, today, has the above and: Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26268301.prestwick-airports-flights-success-financial-results-revealed/?ref=ebbn&nid=1388&u=54f15f1382a35160f5f9fbd9de82faff&date=130726 We can add that £3.9m and 200 jobs to the figures I had last ...

Kevin McKenna ? Scotland?s berserker of tabloid anti-SNP news
13 Jul 2026 at 3:07pm
WTF is Kev on these days? Day-after-day, another utterly fantastic tirade composed of raving decomposing shit. Unhealthily declaiming his largeness and worryingly proud that he’s ‘known these streets intimately over several decades’‘, he has all the signs of the extreme energy surges, paranoia and delusion, like a Viking berserker biting his shield, that results from too little whisky and too m...

As youth violence and murder by minors plummet is this the Herald?s most inac...
13 Jul 2026 at 12:08pm
I know, I’ve already sorted the Herald‘s front page in an earlier report this morning but this email alert version above takes their dishonesty to a new level with the suggestion that ‘new data‘ from schools, on possession, exposes a rise in actual youth violence. It’s utterly untrue, a disgraceful lie aimed at clickbait at the expense of our mental health. So, to repeat: That claim of a rise i...

£11bn Lower Thames Crossing ? Put simply, in the end, Scotland still pays for...
13 Jul 2026 at 11:22am
Yesterday, I wrote a post: Never mind Barnett, the Lower Thames Crossing to cost Scots taxpayers between £300m and £1bn! The full AI-assisted argument is at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/12/never-mind-barnett-the-lower-thames-crossing-to-cost-scots-taxpayers-between-300m-and-1bn/ In a comment, rogercolkett wrote While it?s clear that the UK government tends to spend more on big proj...

These are not school ?knife? incidents, the trend is down, the TWO actual sta...
13 Jul 2026 at 9:57am
The Herald today, taking a turn on knife crime, to give the Daily Record a day off? It’s another naked piece of data fiddling to treat you like a fracking idiot. To be fair, they don’t hide the actual facts once they’ve set the scene falsely in the headline. They’ll be thinking no one reads beyond the headlines these days. What are the facts? Highlight of the report, not for the first time, com...

As Rochdale rape grooming gang returns to front pages be ready with these sim...
13 Jul 2026 at 9:29am
Today BBC UK has the above. The press front pages were not posted as I write at 09:25am but seem likely to be trying to make money out of the image. In July, we saw the ‘Scottish’ Daily Express try to include Scotland in this horrific practice and readers will remember Scottish Labour MPs and MSPs insisting the same things does happen here. The Daily Express ?Scottish? 2 July 2026, above with a...

Three veteran ferries to be sold though still serviceable exposes the Scottis...
12 Jul 2026 at 11:42pm
The Scotsman today has: Veteran CalMac ferries could be cruising the Med rather than the Minch under plans to give them a new lease of life after being finally retired from service in Scotland. Three of the west coast operator?s largest vessels, which are up to 42 years old, are due to be decommissioned over the next year before being sold or scrapped for recycling. This is simple re-treading o...

Rapists and sex offenders among 5 000 prisoners to be released early only in ...
12 Jul 2026 at 11:18pm
Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. In the Guardian yesterday: Opponents of plans to release rapists and sex offenders early from prison have ?no solutions? to halt the criminal justice system?s possible collapse, David Lammy has said. Under pressure from Labour MPs ? including the former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips ? to curb the early release scheme, the deputy prime minister sai...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Unionists will never help us gain independence ? we have to stop asking - The...
13 Jul 2026 at 10:42am
Unionists will never help us gain independence ? we have to stop asking  The National Scot

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 9:30am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum  BBC

Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell - Enlighten - Scotland's Independ...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell  Enlighten - Scotland's Independent Think Tank

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Peter Murrell ?controlled Yes campaign funds?, says ex-director - The Times
12 Jul 2026 at 6:05pm
Peter Murrell ?controlled Yes campaign funds?, says ex-director  The Times

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 8:00am
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

Burnham rules out second Scottish independence referendum - The Telegraph
5 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Burnham rules out second Scottish independence referendum  The Telegraph

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scottish Government urged to bring in draconian bill to outlaw conversion pra...
13 Jul 2026 at 4:27pm
Scottish Government urged to bring in draconian bill to outlaw conversion practices 'in all settings'  Scottish Daily Express

Soft-touch SNP blamed for 700 knife crimes in Scots schools as kids arm thems...
13 Jul 2026 at 12:04pm
Soft-touch SNP blamed for 700 knife crimes in Scots schools as kids arm themselves  Scottish Daily Express

Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, co...
2 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, court told  The Guardian

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unwrapped  BBC

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled ...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled  BBC

Operation Branchform timeline: The downfall of ex-SNP chief executive Peter M...
30 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Operation Branchform timeline: The downfall of ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell  Sky News

Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000 - R...
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000  Reuters

SNP back calls for temporary ban on AI data centre developments - The Nationa...
6 Jul 2026 at 5:11pm
SNP back calls for temporary ban on AI data centre developments  The National Scot

SNP may have claimed back tax on Murrell's illicit purchases - Swinney - BBC
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
SNP may have claimed back tax on Murrell's illicit purchases - Swinney  BBC

Sturgeon wishes she had not kept Murrell on as SNP chief executive - BBC
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon wishes she had not kept Murrell on as SNP chief executive  BBC

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 9:30am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum  BBC

Unionists will never help us gain independence ? we have to stop asking - The...
13 Jul 2026 at 10:42am
Unionists will never help us gain independence ? we have to stop asking  The National Scot

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Peter Murrell ?controlled Yes campaign funds?, says ex-director - The Times
12 Jul 2026 at 6:05pm
Peter Murrell ?controlled Yes campaign funds?, says ex-director  The Times

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - NZ Herald
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  NZ Herald

How do views of Brexit differ between England, Scotland and Wales, 10 years s...
19 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
How do views of Brexit differ between England, Scotland and Wales, 10 years since the referendum?  YouGov

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scot...
31 May 2026 at 8:00am
Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scotland and Wales  Open Canada