The Herald

The Herald | Politics


'I feel absolutely gutted': John Swinney opens up on Peter Murrell betrayal
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
2 Jun 2026 at 1:35pm
First Minister John Swinney has expressed his horror and a deep sense of betrayal following damning High Court revelations detailing how former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell systematically embezzled over £400,000 to fund a luxury lifestyle.


Sturgeon replaced as host of 'We Know What You Did' event following Murrell plea
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
2 Jun 2026 at 1:15pm
The former First Minister was set to appear alongside Kirsty Lockwood to discuss the journalist?s debut novel We Know What You Did.


Murrell is out of Sturgeon's shadow with SNP embezzlement - why is he enjoyin...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
2 Jun 2026 at 11:53am
A week behind bars appears to not to have fazed Peter Murrell after pleading guilty to SNP embezzlement. Is he enjoying himself?


Arts and humanities courses 'are under threat at Scottish universities'
by garry.scott@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Garry Scott
2 Jun 2026 at 11:43am
Professor Murray Pittock, Scotland's leading expert on liberal arts education, has issued a stark warning on the future of higher education


IN FULL: Crown narrative reveals how Murrell embezzled £400k of SNP cash
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
2 Jun 2026 at 10:25am
The official Crown narrative read at Edinburgh High Court has exposed how former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell systematically embezzled £400,310 of party funds over 12 years to fund vehicles, luxury watches, and high-end home improvements.


MSP hits back at opposition to Scotland's largest prison being granted A-list...
by stewart.paterson@eveningtimes.co.uk | Stewart Paterson
2 Jun 2026 at 6:55am
Opposition to plans to make Barlinnie a listed building have been branded as being out of ?self-interest?.


LIVE: Murrell in court: Details of lavish spending and fake invoices revealed
2 Jun 2026 at 6:51am
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has appeared in court today a week after pleading guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.


'I handled Labour embezzlement - here are the lessons for Swinney and Sturgeon'
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
2 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Lord Jack McConnell navigated an embezzlement row while first minister in 2004. He has told John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon they must investigate Murrell's actions.


Complainer who sparked probe says police initially refused to take his statement
2 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Police Scotland initially did not take a statement from a pro-independence activist who wanted to lodge a complaint about Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell.


Freedom of movement 'would have profound benefit to Scotland?s economy'
by ian.mcconnell@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Ian McConnell
2 Jun 2026 at 4:40am
The return of freedom of movement would 'have profound benefit to Scotland?s economy', Stephen Flynn says.


Scottish accountants flag taxes urgently in need of reform amid 'rising alarm'
by ian.mcconnell@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Ian McConnell
2 Jun 2026 at 4:33am
Scottish accountants have identified the taxes they believe are most urgently in need of reform


Was Murrell planning to take Sturgeon on a motorhome tour around British Isles?
2 Jun 2026 at 12:05pm
Peter Murrell bought touring maps were bought for the motorhome for Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland, the court was told.


Five key takeaways from the new Peter Murrell embezzlement hearing
2 Jun 2026 at 1:37pm
From how he got away with his crimes to when he accepted his guilt - five key points from Peter Murrell's embezzlment hearing.


Fire Brigades Union warns EHRC trans guidance risks ?deepening division?
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
1 Jun 2026 at 8:54pm
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called out the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) proposed updates to its Code of Practice, which detail how public bodies should apply the Equality Act.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Peter Murrell scandal 'embarrassing internationally' for Scotland, says forme...
2 Jun 2026 at 10:50am

Lord Jack McConnell believes both Westminster and Holyrood should work together to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the Murrell scandal.

Follow along for live updates as Peter Murrell appears in court.

Jack McConnell said Scotland should launch an app where the public can access all UK and Scottish Government services easily.

The SNP has reportedly received a ?significant? uptick in donations from members and supporters since Murrell admitted embezzling party funds.

The deputy leader of Reform UK hit out at the ?tragedy? of North Sea job losses

The Scottish parliament removed equality data from its website following the election of two MSPs - but is now working to restore the information

Wings over Scotland

Pandora?s Campervan
2 Jun 2026 at 11:48am
To tell you the truth, readers, we’re suffering from a little bit of option paralysis at the moment, although happily not in the same way Peter Murrell is. The endless torrent of revelations following on from Murrell’s conviction a week ago isn’t just fascinating in its own right – it also forces numerous historical issues …

The View From Row Z
31 May 2026 at 3:11pm
Sadly, this turned out to be prescient this morning. Laura Kuenssberg did give Nicola Sturgeon an uncomfortable time in their interview on her Sunday programme on BBC News, but when confronted with the one gaping open goal that Sturgeon has no answer for – and even when Sturgeon TWICE set it up on a plate …

Nicola?s Summer Reading List
30 May 2026 at 4:16pm
Now that Nicola Sturgeon is finally free of her gruelling MSP workload, which could give her anything up to two extra hours of spare time a week, she might like to start making a proper dent in the contents of her fully-loaded bookshelves. (At least until they’re seized and sold under the Proceeds Of Crime …

Marvola The Memory Woman
29 May 2026 at 7:53am
The multi-statement meltdown that has been the unravelling of Nicola Sturgeon this week has been quite something to behold. Last night, for example, we swear our Twitter feed presented these two tweets one after the other. But then we read something even more extraordinary. Firstly, as Conor Matchett of the Scottish Sun noted, that is …

Friends Without Benefits
28 May 2026 at 1:16pm
We’ll be honest with you, readers, if we were in a situation where a lawyer was issuing statements for us, this isn’t what we’d want to hear. “If my client had been charged, she’d be in prison right now” is a worrying distance short of a vote of confidence in your client’s innocence. But the …

All The Dirt From My Eyes
27 May 2026 at 12:21pm
So, having made a statement on Monday morning which asserted that she wouldn’t make any further statements, then making another statement on Monday afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon and her solicitor issued a third statement in 36 hours last night. And while we acknowledge that this is a very high bar to clear, it contained one of …

No Money Back, No Guarantee
26 May 2026 at 9:39am
Peter Murrell wasn’t even locked up in his cell at Saughton (we hope it’s the same one as Craig Murray’s) when the chump-suckering resumed. And as the Nicola Sturgeon Loyal, led by her most faithful of lieutenants, set out to try to take control of the post-conviction narrative, let’s take a look at just what …

The Final Robbery
25 May 2026 at 1:09pm
So there it is. We did tell you so. There will be no trial, no cross-examination, no explanation. The people of Scotland, the members and supporters of the SNP, the wider Yes movement, none of us will ever know what really happened. Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? We’ll never find out how this …

Only An Excuse
21 May 2026 at 7:45pm
Despite what you or we might think, in the eyes of the Scottish Football Association this ISN’T a pitch invasion. This is simply what a football match in progress looks like. Because according to the absolutely extraordinary statement they’ve released this evening, that was game time. The clock was still running, nothing was being added …

The Queer Parliament
20 May 2026 at 1:36pm
We were excited to discover this old footage of a very young John Swinney. ? How thrilled he must be that he’s managed to make his dream come true. Because in the Scottish Parliament at least, there are now no men and no women, and indeed pretty much only wankers. Just days into its five-year …

Craig Murray

The Power of the UK State Over Scotland
28 May 2026 at 7:50am

I went through yesterday’s preliminary hearing in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action with a sense of mounting horror. We had the same judge as at the permission hearing, Lord Young. We had exactly the same arguments and the same case law being deployed again by the UK government as at …

The Power of the UK State Over Scotland

Palestine Action Scottish Judicial Review ? Stitch-Up Incoming?
27 May 2026 at 12:58am

The proscription of Palestine Action was sold to MPs and the media on the basis of a deliberate campaign of lies, fronted by Yvette Cooper, then Home Secretary, and Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan police. Both have deep commitment to Israel. Cooper is owned by the Israel lobby. What is worse, they then attempted …

Palestine Action Scottish Judicial Review – Stitch-Up Incoming?

Dr Manivannan
14 May 2026 at 6:00pm

The furore around the election of Dr Manivannan to the Scottish Parliament is deeply troubling. There is no argument whatsoever that they were eligible to stand for election. The law was changed specifically in order for those on temporary visas to be able to stand in Scottish parliamentary elections. I confess I am not sure …

Dr Manivannan

URGENT FILTON TRIAL UPDATE
13 May 2026 at 6:03am

While the Court of Appeal has now stopped the High Court contempt of court action against Rajiv Menon KC for defending his client, this is purely on procedural grounds. They ruled that Judge Johnson had to go via the Attorney General to the High Court, not direct. It is now referred back to Johnson who …

URGENT FILTON TRIAL UPDATE

Zionism Has Poisoned the UK?s Central Nervous System
11 May 2026 at 7:32pm

Unquestioning Zionism has for decades been the entry ticket to the British political and media Establishment. Anybody who was not a fully certified and compliant zionist would find their career limited – as Jeremy Corbyn, Alan Duncan, Robin Cook and David Mellor all found. Most others, of course, were never allowed to progress that far. …

Zionism Has Poisoned the UK’s Central Nervous System

The 2026 Scottish Elections
6 May 2026 at 5:40pm

We get so trapped inside the logic of the UK’s crazy electoral systems we often do not see what is really happening. Two thirds of active voters, voted against Starmer’s Labour at the last general election. He was always highly unpopular. Just as Starmer’s landslide victory in the 2024 general election was based on only …

The 2026 Scottish Elections

BBC Scotland

Murrell used fake invoices to cover up £400,000 spending spree
2 Jun 2026 at 4:08pm
The former SNP chief executive is facing a lengthy jail sentence after admitting embezzling funds from the party.

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled
2 Jun 2026 at 6:30am
BBC Scotland News has collated all of the goods bought by ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell in his £400,000 embezzlement.

In pictures: Motorhome and wine coaster among items embezzled by Murrell
2 Jun 2026 at 12:51pm
Peter Murrell appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday when details of the way he tried to cover up his crimes were read out.

What we now know about how Peter Murrell hid his embezzlement
2 Jun 2026 at 1:23pm
For the first time we hear how Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, used SNP funds to illicitly purchase more than 1,000 items

Record high number of children refused mental health help
2 Jun 2026 at 1:42pm
Scottish ministers say the CAMHS service is only right for certain young people with serious mental health difficulties.

Scottish Parliament to restore MSP gender search after trans survey
1 Jun 2026 at 9:49pm
The Scottish Parliament has asked MSPs to disclose their sex and trans status as part of a new survey.

Scottish Secretary thanked Mandelson for help with bid to become MP
1 Jun 2026 at 6:54pm
Newly-released files confirm Douglas Alexander was in regular contact with Peter Mandelson ahead of his appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US.

Call for Holyrood and Westminster to hold joint inquiry into Murrell crimes
1 Jun 2026 at 4:03pm
Former first minister Jack McConnell has backed a dual probe into the former SNP chief executive.

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 4:29pm
We give some of the background to key quotes from the interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg.

Ofcom approves STV's plan to axe north news programme
1 Jun 2026 at 3:43pm
The controversial plan will see the end of the entirely separate news service for the north of Scotland, which is the legacy of the former Grampian Television.

Council selects deputy leader to replace newly-elected MSP
1 Jun 2026 at 5:43pm
Tracey Little replaces fellow SNP councillor Katie Hagmann in the role on Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Sturgeon tells BBC: I'm serving a sentence for crime I didn't commit
31 May 2026 at 1:13pm
Scotland's former first minister is challenged by Laura Kuenssberg over the SNP embezzlement scandal, and at times struggles to hold back tears.

Scot Goes Pop

ONE-FIFTH of Reform UK voters in Scotland would vote Yes to independence, say...
1 Jun 2026 at 2:25pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: ASTOUNDING poll surge for SNP: how Stew's "Accidental Clouseau" moment may have SAVED party he hatesMore polling ...

ASTOUNDING surge for SNP in new Norstat poll: how Stew's "Accidental Clouseau...
31 May 2026 at 3:27am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: More polling reassurance for SNP as by-elections approach, while Greens reclaim second place GB-wideGreens almost...

More polling reassurance for SNP as by-elections approach, while Greens recla...
30 May 2026 at 2:21am
In view of recent requests, I've also uploaded a podcast version of the above video on Soundcloud as a trial run, just to see if there's any interest in the audio-only format.  It's on Spotify too....

Unveiling the new funding model for Scot Goes Pop
28 May 2026 at 7:26pm
Click here to visit my new Ko-Fi page.On Sunday I published a blogpost explaining that my experiment of using YouTube as a more sustainable funding model for Scot Goes Pop wasn't really working out...

Greens almost draw level with Labour in GB-wide YouGov poll, SNP have double-...
28 May 2026 at 8:00am
In view of recent requests, I've also uploaded a podcast version of the above video on Soundcloud as a trial run, just to see if there's any interest in the audio-only format.  It's on Spotify as w...

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: Newly-elected Scottish Parliament decides by 72 votes to...
27 May 2026 at 8:36am
Other recent videos: Is Scottish independence "closer now than on the day before the 2014 referendum"?What was the REAL vote share for pro-independence parties at the 2026 Holyrood election?First M...

As "Self-determination Tuesday" dawns, is Andy Maciver right to say independe...
26 May 2026 at 2:05pm
For anyone who would like to help support my YouTube channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page HERE, which offers the options of either a small recurring monthly subscription, or a one-off donation.  (...

Let's examine the evidence: does RevStew's "brave" Ba'athist propagandist com...
25 May 2026 at 11:02pm
The controversial far-right blogger "Stew" has done yet another of his tweets about me without mentioning me by name - he does this regularly so that he can later do his schtick of "look! search fo...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

John Swinney tells of ?horror? at Murrell?s ?colossal breach of trust?
2 Jun 2026 at 2:10pm
The former husband of Nicola Sturgeon stole more than £400,000 from the SNP over 12 years

Peter Murrell?s £124,000 motorhome only ?driven four miles?
2 Jun 2026 at 10:30am
Further details of the former SNP chief executive's embezzlement have been revealed

Serious questions remain over Lord Mandelson appointment despite files releas...
1 Jun 2026 at 5:47pm
Dave Doogan, the party's Westminster leader, said the appointment of Mandelson showed a 'deep rot' at the heart of the government

UK will not have to pay Rwanda millions of pounds over failed migrant deal
1 Jun 2026 at 10:54am
The east African nation sued Britain for more than £100 million after Labour scrapped the Tories' plan under which four people had been deported.

No 10 braced for further embarrassment as more Mandelson papers to be published
1 Jun 2026 at 5:22am
The release of documents is expected to include messages between Lord Mandelson and ministers and government advisers.

Nicola Sturgeon says Murrell has never explained his embezzlement crimes to her
31 May 2026 at 3:43pm
Murrell pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh this week to embezzling the sum from the SNP between 2010 and 2022

Nicola Sturgeon: ?I feel I am serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit?
31 May 2026 at 10:15am
Murrell pleaded guilty this week to embezzling the sum of £400,000 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022.

Sturgeon: I didn?t shut down people raising concerns about SNP finances
29 May 2026 at 8:45pm
Scotland?s former first minister said critics were saying things about her that were ?not true?.

Sturgeon ?learned of items bought by husband with SNP money in the papers?
29 May 2026 at 6:12pm
The former first minister spoke to audiences at a book festival in Wales on Friday as the fallout from her estranged husband's conviction continues

Nicola Sturgeon begins giving her account of husband?s embezzlement
29 May 2026 at 10:38am
The former first minister is appearing at book festivals just days after her husband Peter Murrell pled guilty to stealing £400,000

Nicola Sturgeon: ?This has been worst week of my life? after husband jailed
28 May 2026 at 5:03pm
The former first minister of Scotland said the revelations of her husband's crimes showed she 'didn't know him at all'

John Swinney to face FMQs amid mounting pressure for Peter Murrell probe
28 May 2026 at 11:56am
The First Minister has rejected calls for an independent probe into Peter Murrell's crimes

First-time buyers offered up to £10,000 interest-free loans from next month
27 May 2026 at 3:57pm
The First Homes Fund will provide successful applicants with a £10,000 contribution towards a deposit

Sturgeon says ?no comment? answers during arrest standard legal advice
26 May 2026 at 9:18pm
The former first minister?s lawyer said it was standard legal advice.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney admits SNP governance was 'not adequate' after Peter Murrell fle...
2 Jun 2026 at 3:41pm
Swinney appointed Murrell SNP chief executive during his first term as party leader in 2001.

8 things Peter Murrell bought with SNP cash which reveal how he covered up em...
2 Jun 2026 at 1:46pm
As SNP chief executive for 20 years, Peter Murrell had privileged access to the SNP's internal accounting systems and expense accounts. And it allowed him to use some creative descriptions to justi...

Peter Murrell treasure trove rivals the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb for pub...
2 Jun 2026 at 12:17pm
The ham-fisted excuses thought up by Peter Murrell to justify his huge embezzlement are scarcely believable and raise more questions about why he wasn't caught sooner, says Chris McCall

Peter Murrell scandal is 'embarrassing' for Scotland on the world stage, says...
2 Jun 2026 at 11:05am
Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband pled guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.

Inside Peter Murrell campervan as prosecutors reveal new images of notorious ...
2 Jun 2026 at 10:35am
The images of the most infamous vehicle in recent Scottish political history were shared by the Crown Office as Peter Murrell returned to court for another hearing.

Peter Murrell motorhome had just four miles on the clock when seized by Polic...
2 Jun 2026 at 10:28am
The prosecution cast doubts on Murrell's original claims the now infamous campervan had been bought for political campaigning.

Peter Murrell back in court today ahead of sentencing over £400,000 embezzlement
2 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
The estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon previously pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to a massive financial fraud against the SNP.

Peter Murrell scandal: Labour demands urgent debate at Holyrood on need for i...
2 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: In a letter to parliament chiefs, Neil Bibby warned a "culture of secrecy and cover-up where those who speak out are shut down or ostracised cannot be allowed to continue".

John Swinney is an SNP diehard but loyalty to Nicola Sturgeon could damage hi...
1 Jun 2026 at 1:34pm
Refusing to accept the SNP as an organisation was at fault, and insisting all answers surrounding the Murrell scandal have now been answered, is a terrible look for the First Minister, says Chris M...

Nicola Sturgeon BBC interview on Peter Murrell scandal was 'Oscar-winning per...
1 Jun 2026 at 12:28pm
EXCLUSIVE: Sean Clerkin said the former SNP leader's interview with Laura Kuenssberg had only made campaigners demanding refunds from the party "even more determined".

The National

The National | Politics

Labour media minister Ian Murray 'will not intervene' to stop STV job cuts, M...
2 Jun 2026 at 4:07pm

LABOUR media minister Ian Murray ?will not intervene? to stop controversial cuts to STV News, MSPs were told.

'I can only hope so': What people in Belfast think about Irish reunification
2 Jun 2026 at 3:39pm

THE future of the Union is looking increasingly uncertain.

Douglas Alexander has serious questions to answer over Peter Mandelson
2 Jun 2026 at 2:52pm

Will Douglas Alexander face the music over his messages to Peter Mandelson?

MSPs asked to declare sex and trans status by Scottish Parliament after websi...
2 Jun 2026 at 2:07pm

THE Scottish Parliament has asked MSPs to declare their sex and transgender status following a row about Holyrood?s website?s gender search function

John Swinney says SNP now have 'strongest controls' after Peter Murrell embez...
2 Jun 2026 at 2:02pm

John Swinney has said he has strengthened the governance of the SNP amid new revelations around Peter Murrell?s embezzlement of party funds ...

Douglas Alexander must be sacked for 'gushing' Peter Mandelson WhatsApps, say...
2 Jun 2026 at 1:05pm

THE SNP have called for Douglas Alexander to be sacked as Scottish Secretary after "gushing" WhatsApp messages revealed Peter Mandelson helped him get selected as a Labour Party candidate in the 2024 General Election ...

Labour minister slammed for 'inflammatory' statement on single-sex spaces
2 Jun 2026 at 1:01pm

A LABOUR minister has been slammed for giving an ?extraordinarily inflammatory and dangerous? statement on guidance for single-sex spaces and the impact on transgender people ...

Why did audits not bring embezzlement by Peter Murrell to light?
2 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm

I HAVE been an SNP activist for more than 41 years and continue to be so. Like Ian Grant (Letters, May 29), I have made donations to the party over a long number of years.

5 key things we learned as details of Peter Murrell's SNP embezzlement revealed
2 Jun 2026 at 11:50am

PETER Murrell returned to court today ? just a week after he pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP ...

Peter Murrell listed £3k robot lawnmower as 'legal fees' on 12-year crime spree
2 Jun 2026 at 11:42am

FORMER SNP chief executive Peter Murrell filed a £3500 silver wine coaster as a ?leadership expense?, a £3000 robotic lawnmower as ?legal fees?, and £9000 worth of watches as ?event merchandise? during a 12-year embezzlement spree ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Peter Murrell campervan was filled with embezzled goods, court hears
2 Jun 2026 at 11:43am
Ex-chief executive's false files revealed

MSPs asked to disclose trans status as Holyrood moves to restore sex data
2 Jun 2026 at 10:46am
A non-binary category was first added to the listing for male and female members after the election before the information was removed altogether

Scottish private hospital admissions reach record high in 2025
2 Jun 2026 at 1:01am

Biometrics commissioner urges primary legislation on facial recognition in po...
1 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm
The commissioner has written to the justice secretary asking him to consider legislating for the creation of a statutory basis and framework for the ?limited and proportionate? use of LFR by Police Scotland

Jack McConnell calls for joint Holyrood-Westminster inquiry into Murrell scandal
1 Jun 2026 at 10:25am
The former first minister said the Commons' Public Accounts Committee should hold a probe with the equivalent Holyrood committee.

Sturgeon says she?s ?serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit?
31 May 2026 at 3:15pm
The former first minister spoke to Laura Kuenssberg following the guilty plea from her estranged husband Peter Murrell

Social media ban ?won?t keep children safe?, children commissioner warns
29 May 2026 at 5:23pm
Nicola Killean has said that a ban would not currently be a proportionate, effective, or enforceable way to protect children?s rights, and that it could inadvertently push children to less regulated or riskier parts of the internet

Scottish Affairs Committee urged to carry out inquiry into Peter Murrell
29 May 2026 at 12:48pm
Tory MP Andrew Bowie, the shadow Scottish Secretary, has called for the probe following First Minister John Swinney?s rejection of a parliamentary inquiry at Holyrood

John Swinney: Beastie House horror reveals Scottish child protection failures
28 May 2026 at 2:46pm
FM issues apology to children harmed by Glasgow abuse ring

John Swinney: No new inquiry over Peter Murrell scandal
28 May 2026 at 2:21pm
Electoral Commission says it has 'no evidence' of misuse of public funds

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Police officer received death threats over Nowak murder case as Mahmood conde...
2 Jun 2026 at 4:50pm
Home secretary says officer wrongly linked to case had to relocate after footage emerged of victim being handcuffed while dyingBBC Scotland has more details of the Peter Murrell hearing this morning on its live blog. And, on its live blog, Sky News has pictures of some of the items purchased by M...

Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, co...
2 Jun 2026 at 1:29pm
High court in Edinburgh hears £125K vehicle was described as a van in faked invoice and stocked with luxury goodsThe luxury motorhome that Peter Murrell bought using money stolen from the Scottish National party was driven for only four miles, sitting unused for more than two years.Murrell, then ...

Mandelson described Starmer?s No 10 operation as ?beleaguered and bereft? in ...
1 Jun 2026 at 6:18pm
Peter Mandelson?s unfiltered remarks to cabinet officials are made public in hundreds of pages of documents relating to his appointment as US ambassador Mandelson files show no mitigation of security concernsAt the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM?s spokesperson said the release of the Mandel...

The Guardian view on the Aberdeen South byelection: the politics of energy ta...
31 May 2026 at 5:30pm
While Westminster?s attention is focused on Andy Burnham and Makerfield, another pivotal byelection is taking place in Scotland?s north-eastThe coming byelection in Makerfield, from where Andy Burnham aspires to make rapid progress towards Downing Street, is perhaps the most consequential in Brit...

Nicola?s only crime was to love too much. And to not notice the Jaguar on the...
31 May 2026 at 5:27pm
Rather than being one of the shrewdest operators in British politics for a decade, it turns out Sturgeon was just too trustingYou know how it is. You wake up and look out the bedroom window. You see a brand new Jaguar worth £81,000 parked in the driveway. You smile to yourself. That?s what you lo...

Nicola Sturgeon: I feel as if I?m serving a sentence for a crime I did not co...
31 May 2026 at 3:47pm
Former Scottish first minister says she will not apologise for actions of her ex-husband found guilty of embezzlementNicola Sturgeon has said she feels as if she is serving a sentence for a crime she did not commit, as she denied ever ?consciously? seeing the motor home bought by her estranged hu...

Nicola Sturgeon: ?I should not be held responsible for the wrongdoing of men?
29 May 2026 at 7:41pm
Ex-SNP leader says she appeared on more front pages than her husband this week, adding: ?I don?t think that?s right?Nicola Sturgeon said she ?should not be held responsible for the wrongdoing of men? after Peter Murrell, her estranged husband, admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of pound...

We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled...
29 May 2026 at 6:00am
His guilty plea means motive will for ever be a mystery. It just proves that the world can look as hard as it likes at someone?s marriage and never know what?s going onIt sounds like the haul of an unhappy trophy wife, filling her empty days with retail therapy. Three Fortnum & Mason advent calen...

Sturgeon says she was ?deceived, misled and betrayed? by ex-husband Murrell
28 May 2026 at 9:54pm
Murrell has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to embezzling more than £400,00 from SNPNicola Sturgeon said she was ?deceived, betrayed and lied to? by her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, as he embezzled hundreds of thousands of pounds from the SNP.The former first minister told an ...

Much of what Blair said in essay criticising Labour was wrong, says Starmer ?...
28 May 2026 at 6:06pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story herePat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, is introducing Alan Milburn.He says Milburn?s report is ?really important and powerful?.I could see in the first few weeks after being appointed as the secretary of state what was happening...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Seeing the path ahead clearly
31 May 2026 at 2:45pm
I’m not going to be blogging so much over the next couple of weeks. For the past year or so I’ve had a cataract in my right eye, which has rapidly worsened over recent months such that at an eye test at the opticians last week I found to my horror that I could not …

The first salvos have been fired in the latest stage of the independence camp...
27 May 2026 at 4:20pm
On Tuesday, the first working day of a new Scottish Parliament, with a record pro-independence majority, the fourth such majority in a row, MSPs voted by 72 to 55, a majority of 17 to adopt a motion calling on the Westminster government “to make a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve …

Explaining a parliamentary mandate for the staunch of hearing
26 May 2026 at 3:16pm
Today Holyrood gets the ball rolling on putting into action the pro-independence mandate given to it by the people of Scotland at the recent election, which as we all know by now resulted in the largest ever majority of pro-independence MSPs in the history of the Scottish Parliament. I’ll blog about the debate and vote …

Branchform?s over and the SNP is still standing
25 May 2026 at 1:41pm
Well, after five long years, murder tents, and over £2 million in police costs, it’s all over bar the inevitable shouting, and of course the not insignificant matter of what is likely to be a substantial custodial sentence. Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. …

The supposed ?Once in a generation? pledge is a Westminster myth
23 May 2026 at 12:31pm
On Thursday evening’s edition of BBC Reform Time, Fiona Bruce, the completely unbiased and neutral right wing unionist host, editorialised in aid of Tory MP Harriet Cross who had insisted that the question of independence had been “settled” in 2014 and attempts to revisit the matter “have to end, they have to end.” Bruce interjected …

John Swinney fires the starting gun on independence push
22 May 2026 at 1:30pm
He’s not mucking about. On the back of Holyrood’s record pro-independence majority, John Swinney has announced that there will be a debate and vote in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday on securing a Section 30 order for an independence referendum. With 72 pro-independence MSPs in the chamber, the motion will pass easily despite the predictable …

The British media is hiding Holyrood?s independence majorities
20 May 2026 at 5:01pm
Something interesting, and entirely predictable, has been happening in the British media since the SNP comprehensively defeated the parties of Westminster rule in this month’s Holyrood elections, being returned for a fifth term in office in a Scottish Parliament which has its largest ever pro-independence majority, making this the fourth Scottish Parliament in a row …

Something wicked this way comes
17 May 2026 at 1:27pm
We are rightly concerned about Reform UK, which has now gained representation in the Scottish Parliament, although as I had hoped, it performed more poorly than most polls forecast and failed to win a single constituency seat, narrowly missing out to the SNP in the Banffshire and Buchan Coast constituency which had been widely tipped …

The Celtic Alliance can break Westminter?s constitutional logjam
15 May 2026 at 6:33pm
One of the biggest developments in British political history came to pass after the recent parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, yet it predictably went all but unnoticed by a British media which struggles to comprehend England outwith the M25 and for which Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are terra incognita marked “here be dragons” …

Labour?s rigged electoral system has bitten it on the bum
13 May 2026 at 3:51pm
Ever since the Holyrood election last week in which the SNP won a crushing victory over the dependency parties, those parties and their client media have been crowing that John Swinney must drop his “obsession” with independence because the SNP “failed” in the election and did not win an outright majority for the SNP. Alex …

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

Child and young people mental health treatment target smashed for 6th time in...
2 Jun 2026 at 3:27pm
From Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times Quarter ending March 2026 published today, the above graph showing the 90% target beaten for 6 quarters (3 months) in a row, and: 91.2% of people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral, which is an increase from 90.0% for the previous quarter. 3,858 people started treatment in CAMHS. This is an increase of 2.4% (91) f...

NHS Scotland sees significant increase in planned operations, cancellations f...
2 Jun 2026 at 2:52pm
From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 30 April 2026 published today, the above graph and: There were 24,453 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 4.7% higher (+1,093) than the number planned in April 2025 (23,360). Over the course of the last 12 months, from May 2025 to April 2026 (308,365), there was a 7.6% increase (+21,716) compared to the previous 12 months ...

Despite increased referrals 80% of psychological therapies begin within targe...
2 Jun 2026 at 2:49pm
From Psychological therapies waiting times Quarter ending March 2026 published today, the above graph and: 79.4% of people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral, which is an increase from 78.6% for the quarter ending March 2025. 19,285 people started PT treatment. This is an increase of 4.3% (796) from the 18,489 starting treatment in the previous quarter, and also an increase of 0.8% (...

Delayed discharges ? steady fall in beds ?blocked? for third month in a row, ...
2 Jun 2026 at 2:48pm
From Delayed discharges in NHS Scotland monthly Figures for April 2026 published today: The average number of beds occupied per day due to people delayed in hospital was 1,902 in April 2026. Compared to the previous three months, this is less than in March 2026 (1,923), February 2026 (1,984) and January 2026 (1,973). Source: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/delayed-discharges-...

Scotland?s courts becoming more efficient to clear backlogs
2 Jun 2026 at 2:45pm
From Journey Times in the Scottish Criminal Justice System 2024-25 published today, major reductions in waiting times: In 2024-25, the percentage of accused whose case was closed by Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) or who got a verdict in court within one year of the date the offence was reported to the police increased (by 5% to 87% for COPFS and 6% to 70% for court) when com...

Only kids in Scotland to get this help with costs of starting school
2 Jun 2026 at 9:42am
From Financial help for starting primary school published 01 June 2026, getting press coverage but being ignored by BBC Scotland: Families across Scotland can now apply for over £330 to help with the costs of preparing for primary school, as applications for Best Start Grant School Age Payment open today (1 June 2026). The payment, unique to Scotland, is available to eligible families with chil...

As South West Water provides water ?unfit for human consumption? risking seps...
2 Jun 2026 at 9:00am
As yet another privatised water company in England poisons its customers, BBC Scotland has little to say about Scotland’s water. Here’s why: The quality of public drinking water supplies in Scotland remains amongst the highest in the world, a report has found. In its annual report published today, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland said that 99.91 per cent of samples passed strin...

When Jack McConnell?s constituency treasurer stole £11 000 over 5 years, 22 y...
1 Jun 2026 at 3:28pm
Former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell is everywhere in the MSM calling for ‘both parliaments to probe SNP.‘ From the Telegraph in April 2004, the above, and: Internal inquiry eh? That’ll be fair eh? Also: Did she get the jail? Ex-Labour party embezzler fined The probe focused on the Motherwell and Wishaw constituencyA former Labour treasurer has been fined £2,400 for embezzling £11,000 fr...

UK Labour Government?s NHS Modernisation Bill expected to save only 0.009% of...
1 Jun 2026 at 3:26pm
In the Guardian today, the above headline and: Sharing access to patients? health data across NHS providers in England could result in 20,000 fewer A&E visits a year and save £20m annually, the government has claimed, before the second reading of the NHS modernisation bill on Monday. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/01/single-patient-records-sharing-health-data-nhs-england There wer...

Scotland?s additional stricter regulations mean that none of 18 000 nurses wi...
1 Jun 2026 at 3:24pm
From Nursing Standard, four days ago, the above and: Hundreds of nurses are set to have their registrations reviewed after the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) failed to follow due process for declaring health conditions and criminal convictions for 12 years.  A member of staff raised concerns about an historical failure to consistently refer declarations of health issues and criminal record...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 6:10pm
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 1:34pm
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Sc...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Scotland?  The Conversation

Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scot...
31 May 2026 at 7:13pm
Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scotland and Wales  Open Canada

First Minister announces date for Holyrood Scottish independence vote - The N...
21 May 2026 at 8:00am
First Minister announces date for Holyrood Scottish independence vote  The National Scot

Scottish Nationalists Hang On to Power, Without Authority - Jacobin
29 May 2026 at 1:42pm
Scottish Nationalists Hang On to Power, Without Authority  Jacobin

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - CTV News
26 May 2026 at 8:01pm
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  CTV News

A Greek tragedy in three acts: Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell, and the SNP's ...
30 May 2026 at 8:24am
A Greek tragedy in three acts: Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell, and the SNP's ruin  The Herald

Scottish independence calls grow after Labour losses shake Starmer?s leadersh...
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence calls grow after Labour losses shake Starmer?s leadership  France 24

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled ...
2 Jun 2026 at 6:30am
How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled  BBC

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 4:29pm
Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unwrapped  BBC

Police officer received death threats over Nowak murder case as Mahmood conde...
2 Jun 2026 at 9:09am
Police officer received death threats over Nowak murder case as Mahmood condemns ?dangerous? commentary ? UK politics live  The Guardian

Douglas Alexander must be sacked for 'gushing' Peter Mandelson WhatsApps, say...
2 Jun 2026 at 1:45pm
Douglas Alexander must be sacked for 'gushing' Peter Mandelson WhatsApps, say SNP  The National Scot

Peter Murrell in court after SNP embezzlement plea - Sky News
2 Jun 2026 at 10:01am
Peter Murrell in court after SNP embezzlement plea  Sky News

Senior SNP minister insists public service reform is not about cuts - The Sco...
2 Jun 2026 at 4:06pm
Senior SNP minister insists public service reform is not about cuts  The Scotsman

John Swinney accused of rejecting Peter Murrell inquiry to 'protect SNP' - Th...
2 Jun 2026 at 4:31pm
John Swinney accused of rejecting Peter Murrell inquiry to 'protect SNP'  The Herald

Arrival in prison van marks total fall from grace for SNP supremo Peter Murre...
2 Jun 2026 at 12:25pm
Arrival in prison van marks total fall from grace for SNP supremo Peter Murrell  Sidmouth Herald

Former SNP chief Murrell leaves court in handcuffs as new images show items b...
2 Jun 2026 at 12:49pm
Former SNP chief Murrell leaves court in handcuffs as new images show items bought with embezzled funds  BBC

How Peter Murrell covered up his embezzlement of SNP funds - BBC
2 Jun 2026 at 1:23pm
How Peter Murrell covered up his embezzlement of SNP funds  BBC

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 6:10pm
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 1:34pm
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

Scotland's head of government vows to hold another independence referendum - ...
11 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland's head of government vows to hold another independence referendum  ConstitutionNet

Scotland Renews Push for Independence With Labour in Turmoil - Bloomberg.com
26 May 2026 at 5:45pm
Scotland Renews Push for Independence With Labour in Turmoil  Bloomberg.com

Scottish Devolution: Section 30 Orders - The House of Commons Library
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Devolution: Section 30 Orders  The House of Commons Library

There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Sc...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Scotland?  The Conversation

Democratic mandate reached for independence referendum - Scottish Greens
26 May 2026 at 8:41am
Democratic mandate reached for independence referendum  Scottish Greens

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - CTV News
26 May 2026 at 8:01pm
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  CTV News

Scottish Parliament backs plans for route to second independence referendum -...
26 May 2026 at 6:01pm
Scottish Parliament backs plans for route to second independence referendum  Holyrood Website