The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Why has Glasgow become caught up in protests following the Belfast knife attack?
by joe.donnelly2@newsquest.co.uk | Joe Donnelly
10 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Three arrests were made in Glasgow after protests linked to the Belfast knife attack. Here's how events unfolded across the UK.


Aberdeen jobs fears mount amid shake-up at oil giant
by mark.williamson@newsquest.co.uk | Mark Williamson
10 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm
Outlook for BP's operations in Scotland unclear as new chief executive looks to boost returns generated by global energy giant


Thomas Kerr encourages more Glasgow protests tonight but warns against violence
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
10 Jun 2026 at 3:31pm
The deputy leader of Reform UK in Scotland has encouraged people to ?go out and protest? on Wednesday in the wake of the knife attack in Belfast - but urged against any violence.


Labour: SNP and Greens have 'final chance' to back Murrell probe
by Craig Paton
10 Jun 2026 at 8:35am
The SNP has been resistant to calls, with First Minister John Swinney saying there ?can be no higher investigation? than the police probe


UK Government funding for Universal theme park sparks SNP carbon capture row
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
10 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
A furious political row has erupted in the Aberdeen South by-election over the UK Government's decision to hand £1.3 billion to Universal's new Bedfordshire theme park while Scotland's Acorn carbon capture project remains stalled.


'Boots on the ground' DeHavilland are helping Scottish businesses navigate po...
10 Jun 2026 at 3:16pm
IN the constantly changing and evolving world of politics it can be hard to keep up with the policies and issues that matter to businesses.


Scots Labour peer lays down gauntlet to banks in major speech
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
10 Jun 2026 at 4:34am
Baroness MacLeod of Camusdarach declares lending to SMEs is 'not happening as it should'


Groups call for exam standards review after STEM subjects labelled 'most diff...
10 Jun 2026 at 4:04pm
A letter representing nine separate experts groups says that Scotland?s education system is ?hindering instead of supporting the development of STEM-confident learners.


John Swinney steps in as US revokes travel permits for Tartan Army
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Jun 2026 at 3:22pm
John Swinney has intervened after hundreds of Scotland fans had their US travel permits suddenly revoked without explanation. Some fans face missing their first World Cup appearance in 28 years due to the sudden ESTA cancellations.


Official casts doubt on whether John Swinney will co-operate with Murrell inq...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
9 Jun 2026 at 1:45pm
John Swinney's official spokesman refused to say whether the First Minister would co-operate with an inquiry into Peter Murrell.


Murrell inquiry could help ?restore public trust? in politics, Labour claims
by Katrine Bussey
9 Jun 2026 at 8:16am
Labour insists ?questions are piling up? over former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell?s embezzlement ?crime spree? as it seeks to force Holyrood to hold an inquiry into the scandal.


Leading doctors warn John Swinney after women's health minister scrapped
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
9 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
John Swinney has been warned by doctors over his decision to scrap the women's health minister role.


'If one person had done their job correctly, Mason would still be alive'
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Julie Keegan, an ICU nurse from Glasgow, is fighting NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde over a "factually incorrect" adverse event review into the death of her newborn son, Mason, who died after catastrophic sepsis failures.


Revealed: 406 deaths in Glasgow maternity services
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recorded 736 serious adverse events in maternity services between 2019 and 2025, with 406 deaths.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Reform UK accused of 'fanning flames' of Glasgow riots as MSP calls for peopl...
10 Jun 2026 at 3:36pm

Reform MSPs are facing accusations they are ?fanning the flames? of violent riots in Glasgow

The Prime Minister said there are ?serious, legitimate questions? that need answers

The Scottish affairs committee agrees that Holyrood is the ?most appropriate place for an inquiry?,

?When it comes to city cleanliness, we're streets ahead of our nearest city? - Cllr Stephen Jenkinson

The First Minister was quizzed by journalists as MPs met in private in Westminster

Cases expected to jump by 40 per cent, preliminary data indicates

The UK and Scottish governments are at odds over the role hydrogen could play in replacing gas boilers in homes.

Too often, the SNP treats the Scottish Parliament with the same complacency that Murrell had for his party?s accounts

Scotland?s Climate Action Secretary has admitted that progress in cutting emissions has been too slow.

Wings over Scotland

Wider Than A Mile
10 Jun 2026 at 1:06pm
In this scene, John Swinney is portrayed by Stewie Griffin (the baby), and the faithful membership of the SNP is portrayed by Brian Griffin (the dog). ? We’re not sure any words are needed after that, but what the heck, we’re here now. Because it’s really, really difficult to overstate the blind idiot gullibility of …

The Ever-Changing Lie
9 Jun 2026 at 12:28pm
We have an update, folks. Because they don’t even care about keeping their bullshit straight. So the full sequence now runs: (1) “The money isn’t missing, it’s all still there and ringfenced for a second indyref. Anyone who says otherwise is a loony conspiracy theorist.” (Feb 2020) (2) “Okay, it’s not ringfenced, it’s woven in …

The Massive Face Of Truth
7 Jun 2026 at 11:01am
If you?d like to watch a 21-minute video of me banging on about Operation Branchform and whatnot to the Scottish Sun, click the image below. If you?d rather not watch that, best not to click it.

In pursuit of clarity
6 Jun 2026 at 11:12am
Wings has today sent the following emails. - The Chief Constable Police Scotland 5 Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB 6 June 2026 Thank you for your (very swift) reply to my letter. However, I am afraid that it leaves more questions than answers. Firstly, you state that Police Scotland ?have been advised? that the information …

The Interesting Words Round
5 Jun 2026 at 7:42pm
We received two emails today, just a few minutes apart. There are a couple of notable things about them. The first came from Claire Somebody at the Crown Office. The second one, even more thrillingly, came from Service Advisor 1989847 at Police Scotland, which we assume is some sort of advanced crime-fighting robot. In one …

The Lord Of The Rings
5 Jun 2026 at 12:14pm
John Swinney knows the rules. He can’t pretend he doesn’t. ? So let there be no mistake about this: if Police Scotland and the Crown Office refuse to investigate the First Minister’s open public confirmation this week that a serious crime was committed by the SNP over the “ring-fenced” fundraiser money from 2017 and 2019, …

The Aims Of Justice
4 Jun 2026 at 5:59pm
Wings has today sent the following letter to the named recipients. – The Chief Constable Police Scotland 5 Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service 25 Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1LA 4 June 2026 . Dear Chief Constable and Crown Office, RE: REQUEST FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ? ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION OF RING-FENCED …

For Me, But Not For Thee
4 Jun 2026 at 1:00pm
Huh. Well, that’s nice, isn’t it? The SNP are hoping to make out like bandits from Peter Murrell’s conviction. Despite Swinney’s admission yesterday that the party stole £700,000 from donors to two “ring-fenced” fundraisers, it stands to pocket a surprise bonus of £400,000 from recovering his criminal proceeds (on top of Swinney’s boasted “significant increase” …

Kings Of Crisis Management
4 Jun 2026 at 10:18am
If you subscribe to the theory that it’s better to fight 100 duck-sized horses than a single horse-sized duck, the SNP is knocking it out of the park today. Because the papers just can’t make their minds up about the biggest story with which to attack John Swinney’s beleaguered party. While the Sun leads with …

Everything Is Awesome
3 Jun 2026 at 11:10pm
You’ve had a few pretty gruelling pieces to get through in the last week or so, readers, so here’s something a little more light-hearted. It’s from an episode of Broadcasting Scotland on 27 November 2020, a month after we confirmed our big story about the SNP accounts and the missing fundraiser money. In it, snug-toed …

Craig Murray

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

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

BBC Scotland

No reprimand for Scottish Secretary over meeting with Mandelson firm
10 Jun 2026 at 3:06pm
Sir Keir Starmer says the Scottish secretary "acted appropriately" despite an "administrative oversight".

Harbouring ambition: Voters' hopes ahead of Aberdeen South by-election
10 Jun 2026 at 6:08am
Voters head to the polls on 18 June as seven candidates stand in Aberdeen South.

Mobile phones to be banned in all Edinburgh secondary schools
9 Jun 2026 at 2:58pm
From August, pupils will have to put their devices in magnetically sealed pouches throughout the school day, including during breaks and lunchtime.

Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions fall slightly as progress slows
9 Jun 2026 at 12:42pm
The amount of planet-warming gases produced in 2024 fell by 1% compared to the previous year.

Scotland has more disabled MSPs than ever but challenges remain
8 Jun 2026 at 6:28am
About 24% of the Scottish population identify as disabled, while only 7% of MSPs do - an increase on the previous parliamentary term.

Minister would consider 'knife amnesty' after teenagers guilty of murders
7 Jun 2026 at 2:40pm
Neil Gray said the government was committed to a "preventative" approach, following the murders of Kayden Moy and John McNab.

Sturgeon looked 'broken' in Murrell interview, says Yousaf
6 Jun 2026 at 11:52am
The former first minister said his predecessor was a "person of integrity" and that he believes she had no knowledge of her estranged husband's crimes.

Weight-loss jab Wegovy to be offered on NHS in Scotland
8 Jun 2026 at 4:29pm
The drug works as an appetite suppressant by mimicking a hormone that makes people feel fuller, which can help them lose weight.

Thanksgiving service held for former Deputy First Minister Lord Wallace
5 Jun 2026 at 5:51pm
Politicians joined family and friends of the former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader at Dunblane Cathedral.

SNP may have claimed back tax on Murrell's illicit purchases - Swinney
4 Jun 2026 at 3:52pm
The party has contacted HMRC over fears public funds may have been misused as part of the £400,000 embezzlement.

Why is there a row about the SNP's £667,000 independence fund?
4 Jun 2026 at 3:51pm
The party is facing a fresh police complaint about cash raised for a campaign on the country's constitutional future.

Companies offered contracts worth £2bn to dual last 58 miles of A9
4 Jun 2026 at 1:41pm
It said the first of these final contracts would be for the Dalraddy and Slochd section.

Scot Goes Pop

Of course Good Morning Britain should apologise for its anti-Scottish chauvin...
10 Jun 2026 at 1:49pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: Sparkling YouGov subsample puts spring in SNP's step as crucial...

Sparkling YouGov subsample puts spring in SNP's step as crucial by-elections ...
9 Jun 2026 at 8:16pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: BIG BOOST for independence support in pre-election YouGov poll ...

The Scot Goes Popcast is now available on Apple Podcasts
8 Jun 2026 at 1:47am
I hope this will be of some use to someone, because it's taken me days of torture to get to this point.  Apple may be one of the largest companies in the world, but its website is a baffling, bug-r...

BIG BOOST for independence support in pre-election YouGov poll that no-one se...
7 Jun 2026 at 1:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: If this Makerfield by-election poll is accurate, it's the end of the road for Keir Starmer as PMRUPERT LOWE could...

An examination of the latest Hullaba-Stew
6 Jun 2026 at 6:36pm
Never one to resist an exercise in utter futility, the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger has attempted to resuscitate a correspondence with the Chief Constable and the Crown Office that h...

Dark times for Stew as the full realisation dawns of just how *much* he's acc...
6 Jun 2026 at 12:17am
Please go gently with the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger if you run into him, things seem to have really got on top of him over the last 36 hours and he's now rather overcome with emot...

If this Makerfield by-election poll is accurate, it's the end of the road for...
5 Jun 2026 at 2:07am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: RUPERT LOWE could be the midwife of Scottish independence, just as Mrs Thatcher was for devolutionONE-FIFTH of Re...

RUPERT LOWE, of all people, could be the unintentional midwife of Scottish in...
4 Jun 2026 at 12:18pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: ONE-FIFTH of Reform UK voters in Scotland would vote Yes to independence, says new Norstat pollASTOUNDING poll su...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

SNP set to back independent inquiry into party finances after Murrell scandal
10 Jun 2026 at 2:11pm
The government will back an amendment calling for an independent review of political party finances in a bid to avoid a 'nakedly partisan process', STV News understands

Arbroath back in the political spotlight as voters prepare to choose new MP
10 Jun 2026 at 6:50am
More than 700 years after the Declaration of Arbroath, the town is once again at the centre of a political contest.

John Swinney: I?ll do all I can to help Scots refused entry for World Cup in US
9 Jun 2026 at 7:19pm
The First Minister said he would raise the issue with US officials in Scotland after reports of fans having their ESTA refused

Two government ministers to travel to US for World Cup in ?personal capacity?
9 Jun 2026 at 5:05pm
Economy, tourism and transport secretary Stephen Flynn and community care minister Alison Thewliss are to travel to the States

Swinney urged to revive women?s health minister job
9 Jun 2026 at 1:46pm
The First Minister scrapped the standalone role last month

Murrell inquiry could help ?restore public trust? in politics, Labour claims
9 Jun 2026 at 7:02am
A motion to be debated on Wednesday insists that an inquiry is now needed 'to restore public trust in Scottish politics'

Could MPs launch a Peter Murrell inquiry?
8 Jun 2026 at 6:36pm
The Scottish Affairs Committee will meet on Tuesday to consider whether a Westminster investigation should take place

Starmer set to announce ?game-changer? social media restrictions for under-16?s
8 Jun 2026 at 12:12pm
The PM is set to make an announcement on a type of social media ban for children ahead of the Makerfield by-election next week, writes Carl Dinnen.

Child poverty should be a ?priority from day one?, say young people
8 Jun 2026 at 6:40am
Two-thirds of respondents to the Save the Children Scotland and Young Scot poll said fighting child poverty was a priority

?Eye-watering? cost of reliance on bank staff is draining NHS resources, says...
7 Jun 2026 at 4:37pm
Scottish Labour said billions of pounds of public money is being wasted on agency staffing

Scottish Government ?investing in work to prevent knife crime and gang cultur...
6 Jun 2026 at 7:07pm
The justice secretary said £6m in additional funding will be going into an initiative which provides free activities for young people

Humza Yousaf: Nicola Sturgeon looked ?quite a broken woman? discussing Peter ...
6 Jun 2026 at 10:53am
The former first minister told BBC's Newsnight he understood people's scepticism that Sturgeon was unaware of Murrell's actions

Yvette Cooper rejects calls for disappearing messages ban for politicians
5 Jun 2026 at 10:50am
A row has emerged over exchanges between Lord Peter Mandelson and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones which were absent from a release of files.

Committee for the Future could rebuild trust in politics, Holyrood leaders told
5 Jun 2026 at 6:50am
Carnegie UK suggested setting up such a committee could 'help embed long-term thinking into everyday decision-making'

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Keir Starmer backs probe into Peter Murrell scandal as 'serious questions' ne...
10 Jun 2026 at 1:19pm
The Prime Minister called on Holyrood to look "closely" at how Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband was able to carry out his crimes.

Westminster committee defers decision on launching Peter Murrell inquiry
10 Jun 2026 at 12:13pm
MPs are waiting on the outcome of a Holyrood vote before they make a decision.

SNP quizzed over whether Peter Murrell had bank account access to public funds
10 Jun 2026 at 10:07am
Labour's Jackie Baillie has written to the First Minister on Murrell's swindling.

John Swinney says Scotland must stand against racism and intimidation after B...
10 Jun 2026 at 10:01am
The First Minister slammed demonstrations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr last night as "unacceptable" while the Scottish Greens co-leader described attendees as "scumbags".

Peter Murrell early guilty plea would have had ?major impact? on Holyrood ele...
10 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Professor James Mitchell said the election campaign would have focused on "trust and secrecy" if the Murrell scandal had broken weeks earlier.

Scots councils urged to implement more 20mph speed limits to 'cut collisions'
9 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm
A survey of 32 local authorities found just have five have completed the roll-out of 20mph zones, with the remainder at varying stages of implementation.

John Swinney intervenes after ESTA row stops Tartan Army fans from travelling...
9 Jun 2026 at 4:01pm
The First Minister has asked for "specific representations and engagement" with the Consul General of the US in Scotland.

John Swinney refuses to say if he will cooperate with inquiry into Peter Murr...
9 Jun 2026 at 3:39pm
The First Minister gave a short answer when asked if he would take part.

John Swinney's spokesperson refuses to say he will cooperate with Peter Murre...
9 Jun 2026 at 1:08pm
The official also trashed any suggestion of a Westminster inquiry into the scandal.

Peter Murrell legal aid bill is 'madness' with Scots taxpayers unable to reco...
9 Jun 2026 at 11:38am
Murrell had his legal aid application approved in April last year but later that year flogged a family-owned holiday home in Portugal.

The National

The National | Politics

Anti-racism rally announced following violent disorder in Glasgow
10 Jun 2026 at 5:26pm

AN anti-racism rally is set to take place in Glasgow this weekend after the city faced ?race riots? on Tuesday evening in the wake of a stabbing in Northern Ireland ...

John Swinney issues withering response to Douglas Alexander's 'crocodile tear...
10 Jun 2026 at 5:23pm

FIRST Minister John Swinney has issued a withering response after Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander accused him of ?crocodile tears? ...

How US treatment of Iran has made World Cup 'inherently unfair'
10 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm

A LEADING sports journalist has said the US has made the World Cup ?inherently unfair? through its treatment of the Iranian team and fans.

Top Tory MP slated over 'ill-informed' attack on Scottish university
10 Jun 2026 at 4:06pm

A TOP Tory shadow minister has been blasted for an ?ill-informed? attack on a Scottish university.

Charities in England and Wales 'donate at least £28m to illegal Israeli settl...
10 Jun 2026 at 4:04pm

THIRTY-TWO charities in England and Wales have donated at least £28 million to illegal Israeli settlements, a Scottish Labour MP has alleged ...

Reform MSP condemned for 'racist rhetoric' after urging more Glasgow 'protests'
10 Jun 2026 at 3:58pm

REFORM MSP Thomas Kerr has been condemned for using "racist rhetoric" and calling for further anti-immigration protests after far-right disorder in Glasgow ...

Reform UK and Nigel Farage 'fanned flames of race riots in Glasgow and Belfast'
10 Jun 2026 at 3:15pm

THE finger has been pointed at Reform UK MSPs and their leader Nigel Farage after ?race riots? broke out in Glasgow and Belfast ...

Scottish LibDem 'accosts Reform MP for inciting violence' after racist riots
10 Jun 2026 at 2:25pm

A SCOTTISH MP is said to have accused Reform of ?inciting violence? after riots erupted in the wake of the alleged attempted murder of a man in Belfast by a Sudanese asylum seeker.

Scottish politicians condemn 'absolutely appalling' far-right disorder in Gla...
10 Jun 2026 at 2:02pm

SCOTTISH politicians have condemned far-right disorder in Glasgow as ?absolutely appalling?

Scottish Refugee Council calls out 'irresponsible' politicians amid violence
10 Jun 2026 at 1:49pm

THE Scottish Refugee Council has called "real leadership" from Scotland's politicians following "deeply disturbing" demonstrations across the Central Belt.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Swinney says Glasgow disturbances which followed Belfast knife attack are ?co...
10 Jun 2026 at 4:00pm
Three arrests were made following disorder in Glasgow city centre, Police Scotland said

Jenni Minto elected convener of Standards Committee
10 Jun 2026 at 3:25pm
The remaining conveners were elected unopposed

Scottish Affairs Committee says Holyrood is the ?most appropriate place? for ...
10 Jun 2026 at 1:27pm
MP panel delays decision as Keir Starmer urges action

Swinney orders officials to help Tartan Army Esta row members reach World Cup
9 Jun 2026 at 5:38pm
FM intervenes after US revokes football fans' visas

Scottish Lib Dems confirm front bench
9 Jun 2026 at 4:25pm
The party is the the last of the six at Holyrood to do so

Edinburgh bans mobile phones for school pupils
9 Jun 2026 at 4:17pm
'Bell-to-bell' restrictions come into force in August

Two SNP MSPs in running for only contested committee convenership
9 Jun 2026 at 3:35pm
The 15 other committee convenerships received only one nominee

Do business with Scotland, UK Government urges China
9 Jun 2026 at 12:29pm
Innovation and technology targeted on growth mission

Scottish Labour to force vote on parliamentary inquiry into Peter Murrell?s e...
9 Jun 2026 at 1:01am
Jackie Baillie has urged members to ?back transparency over cover-up? ahead of tomorrow?s vote

SNP says Westminster inquiry into Murrell scandal would be an ?unprecedented ...
8 Jun 2026 at 4:26pm
The party?s Westminster leader, Dave Doogan, said the inquiry would set a ?dangerous precedent?

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Starmer to meet Henry Nowak?s family this afternoon, No 10 says ? as it happened
4 Jun 2026 at 5:33pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has posted a message on social media saying she met Henry Nowak?s father, mother and stepmother this morning. She praises their courage, and says:Henry?s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a famil...

A new elephant in Nicola Sturgeon?s room | Brief letters
2 Jun 2026 at 5:38pm
Murrell?s motorhome | Hooked on Alan Rickman | Football fans | Nine times table | Beauty of maths | It all adds upFollowing Nicola Sturgeon?s bravura performance on BBC One?s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme (Nicola Sturgeon: I feel as if I?m serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit,...

Starmer says he ?felt sick? watching video of Henry Nowak?s arrest ? as it ha...
2 Jun 2026 at 5:32pm
The prime minister said: ?I have seen the body cam footage, it?s harrowing, and I have to say, as a father of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick watching it.?BBC 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 ...

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...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Westminster goes Trumpian and the media in Scotland jumps the SNPbad shark
7 Jun 2026 at 7:26pm
At the behest of Tory MP Andrew Six Chips Bowie, Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee is to vote next week on whether to hold an inquiry into the finances of the SNP. Bowie is of course only interested in good governance and looking after the best interests of the SNP members whose money was stolen by …

The historic failure of the media in Scotland
4 Jun 2026 at 1:28pm
The issues in my left eye, my better eye, seem to be getting a bit better so I’m only half blind now. Many thanks to everyone who left kind messages of support. Hopefully after 16 June when I have the cataract operation my eyesight will improve markedly. The Murrell scandal is of course still rumbling …

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 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

?£38.6 million in party funding coming from unknown sources?
10 Jun 2026 at 4:13pm
By stewartb There are critical voices raised regarding the financing of politics in the UK but the issue seems to gain little immediate and certainly no sustained MSM attention. (A bit like wider electoral reform?) The Electoral Reform Society on February 19, 2026 published this: ?Briefing on Political Finance? (https://electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-and-research/parliamentary-briefings/br...

Something Wicked This Way Comes ? Labour?s funding via hidden donation routes
10 Jun 2026 at 2:43pm
By Mark E. Saunders of ?The Scottish Minuteman? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 Something Wicked This Way Comes Fraud within a political party is serious. Any organisation can suffer from a rogue individual abusing trust, and when that happens it should be investigated properly. But what should concern us more is not money disappearing from political party coffers throug...

For seven years now ? Aberdeen Police disrupt illegal drugs ?from England cau...
10 Jun 2026 at 2:41pm
The P&J and in Aberdeen Live, this story: Two men have been arrested and charged after a county lines drug bust in Aberdeen. On Monday, June 8, officers from Police Scotland raided a high rise flat block in the Grandholm Court area of the city. Drugs with an estimated street value of £80,000 were recovered along with almost £4,000 in cash.Two men, aged 26 and 27, have since appeared at Aberdeen...

Latest figures show Scotland?s world-first opioid overdose reversal programme...
10 Jun 2026 at 2:39pm
From National naloxone programme Scotland – Quarterly monitoring bulletin Quarterly monitoring bulletin October to December (Q3) 2025/26 published today, the above soaring graph and: This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on the number of take-home naloxone kits issued by the National Naloxone Programme (NNP) in Scotland (October to December 2025/26). Figures are pres...

Scots human rights group winning UN recognition again reflects nearly two dec...
10 Jun 2026 at 10:54am
Perhaps predictably, TFN (Third force News) uses an image of the UK human rights legislation rather than an example of one of the more ambitious Scottish Government initiatives to promote human rights here. They open with: Top grades have been endowed upon the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) by the United Nations. It is the fourth time the body has received the accreditation.   This awa...

Nurturing dark images of Scotland
10 Jun 2026 at 9:04am
Above, BBC Home/UK above headlining the dramatic events in Belfast last night and BBC Northern Ireland covering them in more detail: There were non-violent protests in Glasgow and in Southampton so BBC Scotland: BBC England? Not a trace. The Southampton protests last night? Only the consequences of protests last week.

Only tiny 2% of terror referrals are in Scotland because?.
10 Jun 2026 at 8:48am
The Scotsman today trying suggest terror referrals in Scotland are a serious problem just like in other parts of the UK. It’s not true. Even if we accept their claim of higher ‘preliminary’ figures up from 162 in 2024/2025 to 227 in 2025/2026, these remain tiny compared with those in other parts of the UK: So, quickly, 11 times the population, if Scotland was just as troubled by this as England...

Domestic abuse is twice as common in England & Wales but care should be taken...
9 Jun 2026 at 6:50pm
From Domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, 2024-25 published today: The police recorded 64,967 incidents of domestic abuse in 2024-25, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year. Despite increasing over the latest two years, this figure remains below the peak in 2020-21. https://www.gov.scot/news/domestic-abuse-recorded-by-the-police-in-scotland-2024-25/ The introduction of th...

Police Scotland merger criticised by opposition parties has resulted in world...
9 Jun 2026 at 3:13pm
The Sun ?newspaper? this week has been milking Scotland?s dark history of murder, based entirely on offences which took place before the merger of Scotland?s eight regional forces. They have no choice to do so because not only has the murder level plummeted from 64 in 2012/2013, to 44 in 2024/2025, 33% in only 12 years, one of the lowest rates in Europe and well below that in England & Wales, e...

Second US report of compensation for radiation exposure highlights the terrib...
9 Jun 2026 at 3:11pm
From the website of Josh Hawley, US Senator for Missouri yesterday: Our state just passed a major milestone. The federal government has now paid out more than $100 million to the Missouri families poisoned by their government?s reckless handling of nuclear waste. Nothing can make up for the pain and suffering that radiation survivors have endured at the hands of their own government. But this c...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 4:20pm
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Investors warn Scotland to avoid long-term debt to limit independence premium...
9 Jun 2026 at 5:02am
Investors warn Scotland to avoid long-term debt to limit independence premium  Financial Times

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

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

SNP have no plan for Scottish independence. But that's not the biggest proble...
8 Jun 2026 at 6:53pm
SNP have no plan for Scottish independence. But that's not the biggest problem  The National Scot

No, we don't want Indyref2. All we want is competence - The Herald
10 Jun 2026 at 6:36am
No, we don't want Indyref2. All we want is competence  The Herald

Scottish Parliament to move on new independence vote - RTE.ie
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament to move on new independence vote  RTE.ie

Scottish Greens call for independent review into party finances in Scotland -...
9 Jun 2026 at 2:23pm
Scottish Greens call for independent review into party finances in Scotland  Scottish Greens

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Labour: SNP and Greens have 'final chance' to back Murrell probe - The Herald
10 Jun 2026 at 9:06am
Labour: SNP and Greens have 'final chance' to back Murrell probe  The Herald

UK Government funding for Universal theme park sparks SNP carbon capture row ...
10 Jun 2026 at 5:11am
UK Government funding for Universal theme park sparks SNP carbon capture row  The Herald

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

We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled...
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled funds. What I?d like to know is why  The Guardian

Sturgeon showed 'remarkable lack of curiosity' over SNP finances, Cherry says...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon showed 'remarkable lack of curiosity' over SNP finances, Cherry says  BBC

SPICe general election Scotland 2026 results and analysis - SPICe Spotlight
9 May 2026 at 8:00am
SPICe general election Scotland 2026 results and analysis  SPICe Spotlight

Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of items husband Peter Murrell bought wi...
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of items husband Peter Murrell bought with embezzled £400,000  Sky News

Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends - KFF
5 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends  KFF

Final YouGov MRP of the 2026 Holyrood election shows the SNP falling short of...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
Final YouGov MRP of the 2026 Holyrood election shows the SNP falling short of a majority  YouGov

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

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 4:20pm
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

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

Investors warn Scotland to avoid long-term debt to limit independence premium...
9 Jun 2026 at 5:02am
Investors warn Scotland to avoid long-term debt to limit independence premium  Financial Times

Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds -...
3 Jun 2026 at 5:28pm
Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds  Ipsos

Scotland Renews Push for Independence With Labour in Turmoil - Bloomberg.com
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland Renews Push for Independence With Labour in Turmoil  Bloomberg.com

Scottish Parliament to move on new independence vote - RTE.ie
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament to move on new independence vote  RTE.ie

Downing Street rejects Holyrood call for independence referendum - The Nation...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Downing Street rejects Holyrood call for independence referendum  The National Scot

Scottish Parliament backs plans for route to second independence referendum -...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament backs plans for route to second independence referendum  Holyrood Website

UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referen...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referendum  The Brussels Times