The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Armed Forces minister Al Carns resigns hours after Defence Secretary steps down
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
11 Jun 2026 at 8:29pm
Al Carns has resigned as Armed Forces Minister, he has announced in a letter to the Prime Minister shared on social media, following John Healey?s exit as defence secretary.


John Swinney accuses Reform UK of inciting racial division after Glasgow diso...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
11 Jun 2026 at 3:48pm
First Minister John Swinney has launched a blistering attack on Reform UK, accusing the party of inciting racial division. It follows violent clashes in Glasgow and Greenock that left police officers injured and forced a local mosque into lockdown.


Scottish Labour MP breaks ranks to warn UK Government is failing on national ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
11 Jun 2026 at 1:54pm
The resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey has plunged the Labour government into chaos. MPs are now warning that Treasury funding failures leave the UK dangerously vulnerable to imminent Russian threats across the sea, air, and cyberspace.


Q Manivannan appeals to Holyrood bosses to lift trans toilet ban
11 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Scottish Greens MSP Q Manivannan has urged Holyrood to lift its ban on trans people using toilets in their lived gender in the building.


Why Sturgeon?s political legacy will undoubtedly be shaped by Murrell's crimes
11 Jun 2026 at 3:50pm
As Nicola Sturgeon prepares to speak in public in Scotland for the first time this Sunday since the embezzlement conviction of her estranged husband Peter Murrell, Unspun takes stock of how the case will affect her legacy.


'Iris and I are test cases - I hope more trans people will stand for election'
11 Jun 2026 at 4:56am
Scotland's first openly non-binary MSP has said they hope more transgender people will seek election.


Q Manivannan: 'Abuse and threats have reinforced my belief I should be an MSP'
11 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
In their first interview since being elected Q Manivannan has told The Herald abuse and threats they experienced following their election has strengthened their resolve to continue as an MSP.


Health Secretary vows to ?lift the lid? on maternity issues as review chair c...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
11 Jun 2026 at 2:15pm
Scotland?s maternity review will be chaired by Professor Christine McCourt and completed within nine months, Angela Constance has confirmed.


'I'd rather be in the Highlands': Minister defends Commonwealth Games amid sc...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
11 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Maree Todd says she'd rather be "in the hills" than "camping out in a city" as Glasgow prepares to host the Commonwealth Games again amid questions over the 2014 health legacy.


'I am very definitely Scotland's women's health minister', says Maree Todd
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
11 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Maree Todd says she is Scotland's women's health minister despite the role being abolished and declines to say maternity care is safe for all women.


Government in chaos as defence secretary quits over funding row with Starmer
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
11 Jun 2026 at 12:17pm
Defence Secretary John Healey has dramatically resigned from the cabinet, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury of failing to fund the nation's military.


Holyrood's rejection of Murrell inquiry called 'attempt to evade scrutiny'
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
10 Jun 2026 at 6:46pm
Holyrood is "attempting to evade scrutiny" by rejecting calls to hold a parliamentary inquiry into Peter Murrell's embezzlement scandal.


Is it time for the pension triple lock to be scrapped?
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
10 Jun 2026 at 5:15pm
The triple lock has successfully arrested decades of decline in pensioner living standards, but a new report from the Resolution Foundation warns the policy has become an unaffordable lottery.


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.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Murrell told family of woman who donated £20k to the SNP in her will to 'only...
11 Jun 2026 at 4:44pm

Margaret Killah left the SNP £20,000 - but her family now worry this has been ?stolen? by Peter Murrell.

The First Minister hit out at the party during a tense exchange in Holyrood

Prime Minister is told defence investment plan falls ?well short of what is required?

"The Tartan Army are such a wonderful advert for Scotland.?

A stark new report has warned Scottish councils could be forced to cut services or stop providing them altogether as they grapple with a bleak financial picture

?We cannot afford to keep spending public money on plans that have no realistic prospect of being delivered? - Cllr Kevin Lang

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

Investigation into Scotland's maternity units to start in autumn
11 Jun 2026 at 5:11pm
Bereaved families say they are angry that the same issues have been reoccurring for years.

Scotland's councils face budget shortfalls. How bad is it in your area?
11 Jun 2026 at 6:39am
The Accounts Commission has warned local authorities that their funding plans are not keeping pace with rising costs.

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: A tale of two high streets
11 Jun 2026 at 6:10am
The fortunes of both high streets will be one of the big topics to be considered by the constituency's new MP, following next week's election.

Scottish Parliament rejects call for Peter Murrell inquiry
10 Jun 2026 at 8:48pm
SNP and Greens MSPs have instead backed a wider inquiry into how political parties are financed.

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".

'Not just offshore jobs': The issues facing voters in Aberdeen South
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.

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

Al Carns resigns as defence minister, after Healey?s exit over military funding
11 Jun 2026 at 8:59pm
He said he could not defend ?a level of investment I know to be inadequate to the task?.

Review of Scotland?s maternity services to begin after summer
11 Jun 2026 at 7:03pm
The health secretary said the independent review would examine how care can better meet the needs of women

Swinney warns of ?rising tide of hateful rhetoric? in wake of unrest
11 Jun 2026 at 3:34pm
The First Minister has accused Reform UK of ?stirring up of hatred within our society?

Swinney to face FMQs after MSPs vote down call for Murrell inquiry
11 Jun 2026 at 1:53pm
Swinney will face the opposition before heading across the Atlantic ahead of Scotland's first World Cup game in 28 years

Defence secretary John Healey quits over armed forces funding
11 Jun 2026 at 12:48pm
John Healey said the Prime Minister had been unable to commit resources needed to defend the UK amid 'rising threats'

MSPs vote down Labour calls for Murrell inquiry at Holyrood
11 Jun 2026 at 8:11am
Scottish Labour?s Anas Sarwar said the crimes committed by Nicola Sturgeon?s ex-husband amounted to ?the greatest political scandal since devolution?.

Scotland?s new public service reform secretary has ?big job to do?
11 Jun 2026 at 6:52am
Ivan McKee accepted he has a 'big, big job to do here' after being appointed to the role

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

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Inquiry into Peter Murrell scandal would be in SNP's 'long term interests', s...
11 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: The former MP said it "beggars belief how one person could embezzle nearly half a million pounds over more than a decade without anyone else knowing".

John Swinney claims Reform UK is 'inciting racial division' in Scotland after...
11 Jun 2026 at 3:54pm
The First Minister today called out Malcolm Offord and Thomas Kerr after ugly scenes in Glasgow city centre earlier this week.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over bitter spending row with Keir S...
11 Jun 2026 at 12:59pm
Healey, who helped secure a huge frigate contract for Glasgow's shipyards last year, has blasted the UK Treasury for failing to support defence investment.

SNP and Greens 'sweeping things under the carpet' after blocking inquiry into...
11 Jun 2026 at 10:36am
Pro-independence MSPs have been accused of dodging scrutiny after the Greens refused to join other opposition parties in demanding a probe into Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband.

Peter Murrell plea deal 'spared Sturgeon embarrassment' as prosecutors urged ...
11 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The Crown Office has faced questions over why a plea deal with Nicola Sturgeon's husband was needed given the weight of evidence against him.

John Swinney will be damaged by probe block into corrupt Peter Murrell
10 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the First Minister could undo the progress he has made over the past two years with his opposition to any inquiry.

SNP and Greens vote to kill Holyrood probe into Peter Murrell corruption scandal
10 Jun 2026 at 6:03pm
Pro-independence MSPs rejected plans for the Scottish Parliament to investigate.

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.

The National

The National | Politics

Keir Starmer faces growing rebellion as second minister quits amid defence row
11 Jun 2026 at 7:59pm

KEIR Starmer is facing a growing rebellion as another minister has quit and a Scottish Labour MP has left their defence role following a dispute over military funding ...

How the Celtic Alliance is inspiring Scottish independence activists
11 Jun 2026 at 7:30pm

Independence campaign organisation Believe in Scotland has already put out feelers about potential simultaneous Celtic Alliance rallies

It has become open season for race-baiting ? and it has to stop
11 Jun 2026 at 6:24pm

THERE were shameful scenes in Glasgow on Tuesday night when people of colour were physically attacked by marauding gangs of masked white men dressed in black, meting out collective punishment and bringing racist pogroms

Let's call these racist rioters what they really are ? Loyalist mobs
11 Jun 2026 at 5:16pm

RACIST riots in Northern Ireland this week distinguished themselves against those seen elsewhere by a level of organisation which betrays their deeper roots in the Loyalist community.

England 'will soon have its own independence movement', leading Yes activist ...
11 Jun 2026 at 5:13pm

AN English independence movement will be formed in the next couple of years, the founder of Believe in Scotland has said ...

Political cowardice allowed the racist violence in Glasgow. Here's what we mu...
11 Jun 2026 at 5:08pm

THERE is substantial risk in over-reading the arguments on violence on the streets of Glasgow resulting from a stabbing in Belfast ...

Reform UK respond to top activist's 'Jews want to shatter the UK' claim
11 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm

REFORM UK have suspended one of their senior Scottish activists after The National revealed that he had made antisemitic comments and joined the far-right demonstrations in Glasgow earlier this week ...

Andy Burnham 'breaks Labour U-turn record' with Waspi climbdown
11 Jun 2026 at 3:40pm

ANDY Burnham ?has broken the Labour U-turn world record? after his climbdown on Waspi compensation, it has been claimed.

'Horrified' John Swinney condemns Reform MSPs over links to 'antisemitic' ally
11 Jun 2026 at 3:27pm

FIRST Minister John Swinney has responded to The National?s revelation that a top Reform UK activist with close ties to the party?s Scottish leadership joined far-right demonstrations in Glasgow and made deeply antisemitic comments ...

Donald Trump threatens to take major Iranian oil terminal as fuel prices spike
11 Jun 2026 at 2:50pm

DONALD Trump has said the United States will strike Iran ?very hard tonight? and will take a major oil terminal on Kharg Island in the ?not too distant future? as the two countries exchange fire overnight ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

John Swinney accuses Reform of ?inciting racial hatred?
11 Jun 2026 at 4:42pm
Malcolm Offord said the FM was ?throwing false accusations at my party?

John Healey resigns as defence secretary over military spending plans
11 Jun 2026 at 1:36pm
The MP said he had "no other option" because the Treasury was "unwilling" to provide the required resources

Watchdog warning as councils? budget gap hits half a billion pounds
11 Jun 2026 at 7:00am
Government urges backing for public sector reform

SNP and Greens vote down Labour bid to launch Peter Murrell inquiry
10 Jun 2026 at 6:54pm
Parliament backed the Greens? call for an independent review of all political party finances

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Dan Jarvis named new defence secretary as Al Carns quits government ? UK poli...
11 Jun 2026 at 9:24pm
Government confirms Jarvis?s move from role as security minister to replace John HealeyRyan Henderson, assistant chief constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is about to hold a press conference about last night?s rioting.Andy Burnham is facing criticism after saying that he thinks ...

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...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Sarwar learns the law of unintended consequences
11 Jun 2026 at 11:52am
Anyone with two functioning braincells knows that the only reason the anti-independence parties and the SNP’s enemies are so keen on an inquiry into the Murrell scandal is because they seek to make political capital out of it, damage a party that keeps defeating them at the ballot box, and with it hinder progress to …

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 …

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

My Party, My Choice ? SNP Donors Speak Out
11 Jun 2026 at 9:29am
By Jim Mennie Following Peter Murrell?s guilty plea for embezzling over £400,000 from SNP funds, opposition parties and sections of the media have called for a public inquiry and the ?return of funds to donors?. A petition launched by SNP donors in 2024 made one clear point: donations to the SNP are voluntary, unrestricted gifts under UK law. Thousands of us who donated have already said public...

As Starmer doubles down on extra waste-generating new nuclear ? the safest p...
11 Jun 2026 at 9:05am
In London Daily today, the above and: Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, has proposed an ambitious initiative to increase the development of nuclear power in the United Kingdom, emphasizing the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs). https://londondaily.com/keir-starmer-advocates-for-small-modular-nuclear-reactors-amid-environmental-concerns One of the biggest problems for thes...

Scottish independence shouldn?t give you that sinking feeling
11 Jun 2026 at 8:39am
This report will no doubt draw accusations of ‘whitabootery‘ being taken to its logical conclusion, complete daftness, but, if the facts told the opposite story, the media operating in Scotland would just love to give you a sinking feeling to store with all the other ‘Scotland is sh**te‘ narratives they feed you daily. How can the SNP run a country if they can’t stop your house sinking? Luckily...

Where it counts, NHS Grampian is not ?troubled?
11 Jun 2026 at 7:37am
BBC Scotland, in their BBC Breakfast insert today, making much of NHS Grampian as ‘troubled‘, misses these key statistics below. The Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio is a reliable measure of the extent to which a hospital is operating normally and safely. The large Aberdeen Royal is only 0.04% above the Scottish average of 1. Smaller hospitals can have less predictable figures but, again D...

Corridor care still shocking 3 times more common in NHS England than in NHS S...
11 Jun 2026 at 7:10am
BBC Breakfast had the above, this morning based on another RCEM survey, in NHS England. It seems to reinforce ITV’s own survey findings in March (below) and to remind us of the very different picture in NHS Scotland, a picture not being used by the media operating in Scotland. From ITV News at 6.30pm March 16th 2026, based on their own survey, the above graphic: A special report on the corridor...

?£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...

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

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

Scotland's World Cup opponents forced to change kit over 'independence' state...
11 Jun 2026 at 1:57pm
Scotland's World Cup opponents forced to change kit over 'independence' statement  The National Scot

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

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

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

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scottish Parliament rejects call for Peter Murrell inquiry - BBC
10 Jun 2026 at 8:48pm
Scottish Parliament rejects call for Peter Murrell inquiry  BBC

SNP blocks inquiry into Murrell scandal - The Telegraph
10 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
SNP blocks inquiry into Murrell scandal  The Telegraph

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

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

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

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

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

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 8:00am
Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds  Ipsos

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

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 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

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

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