Commentator on politics and public policy. Writer. Consultant. Events chair. Hitter of nails on the head. Hibs season ticket holder.
Edinburgh
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New. SNP leaders would be foolish to disregard Sinn Fein’s past. Why talk of a united pan-nationalist front to threaten the existence of the UK fails to take into account the very different histories of the SNP, Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru. Me for the Times
thetimes.com/article/8094c35…
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Attacking @NicolaSturgeon over refusing to rule out quarantine measures for people coming to Scotland @BorisJohnson said “there is no such thing as a border between Scotland and England “. This is me yesterday in Coldstream - that’s the Tweed. The border.
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Breaking: @NicolaSturgeon says UK government's internal market bill, published today, is "an abomination", "a no holds barred full-frontal assault on devolution". @ScotGovFM not holding back here. #Brexit Makes point Welsh govt (@MarkDrakeford) say much the same.
The UK Government's internal market bill is 'an abomination' @NicolaSturgeon says.
The First Minister tells @petermacmahon it is a 'full frontal assault on devolution'
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Crisp response from @NicolaSturgeon to #ITVLeadersDebate: "The clear takeaway for Scotland from this debate is that neither of these men should be able to determine Scotland's future.
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.@NicolaSturgeon says @hmtreasury should provide more help for businesses hit by new #COVID restrictions, "not acceptable" but has found £100m to help mainly hospitality and food supply businesses. Last week @_KateForbes told me she had allocated "every penny"of her budget.
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More evidence today on the lack of records within @scotgov and other bodies involved to explain why ministers took decisions involving substantial financial risk which resulted in a five year delay to new CalMac ferries which are currently two and a half times over budget.
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In case you missed this, with everything else going on...
EXCL: SNP threatens victim of sex-pest MP Patrick Grady with staff disciplinary action after he sends email to MPs and colleagues criticising party bosses' response to scandal
thescottishsun.co.uk/news/sc…
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.@NicolaSturgeon says she has a mandate to begin discussions on #indyref2 with @theresa_may and "mandate should be respected "
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Very important non-#GE2019 story: The new Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) model in Scottish schools has had a
"significant negative impact" on children's attainment a report published today by Professor Jim Scott of Dundee University says. Reported by PA's @craigpaton27 Thread..
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.@DominicRaab responds to @DavidMundellDCT ‘carpetbagger’ jibe “I like David Mundell and I respect the views of all my former cabinet colleagues. It’s curious because he agreed with me in cabinet on the substance of what I was saying and I’m the one who resigned on principle.”
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Breaking: @NicolaSturgeon says Alpha Solway, based in Annan, has won £53m contract to supply PPE to Scotland which will create 200 jobs in the south of Scotland. Surgical masks, visors, respirator masks. Will help fight against #COVID19 and also boost economy, @ScotGovFM says.
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New: spending across the UK shows higher spending per head in Scotland than England, Wales but not N Ireland. Also Scotland spending higher than any English region. Source: UK Treasury. gov.uk/government/publicatio…
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What? Given that the Scottish parliament is there to hold @scotgov and it’s highly paid senior civil servants to account for policy and actions - and learning lessons for the future - this is pretty extraordinary. And Ms Evans is still on the payrool. Accountability??
NEW: Scathing letter from Holyrood's Finance Committee to Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans.
Says she's 'effectively refused' to appear before committee & they're 'extremely disappointed at the discourtesy shown'.
She's been on leave since 31 December until retires on 31 March
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I know there are extremely important events happening today, but on this day in 1997 we were reporting a huge 'Yes, Yes' vote in the Labour governments devolution - on the principle and tax-levying powers. Proud to have played a part in reporting a bit of history.
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“When we ask the people of Scotland about independence - and we will ask the people of Scotland about independence - they will come back with a three word answer: yes we can.” @KeithBrownSNP #SNP18
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Breaking. @NicolaSturgeon says what is “frustrating” is she can’t tell her side of story over @theSNP finances being investigated by @PoliceScotland Add she has not been questioned by police. Denies the investigation influenced her decision to stand down
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The other thing that strikes me about this is if @_KateForbes has allocated “every single penny” what happens if there is some kind of unexpected shock in the next financial year? Let’s say something unexpected that is entirely the responsibility of @scotgov ?
NEW: With Scots advised to cancel Christmas parties, will businesses get extra help?
Finance Sec @_KateForbes says she's already allocated 'every penny' from budget & further grants would 'have to come from the UK Government'.
She says talks are taking place with Westminster
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New: @NicolaSturgeon + @Feorlean say #indyref2 will happen this year, despite @BorisJohnson refusing Westminster legal consent. If so, the Scottish government must be planning to spend money on it, mustn't it? A question I put to finance secretary @DerekMackaySNP. He won't say.
Finance Secretary @DerekMackaySNP won't say whether budget money will be put aside to pay for a second independence referendum this year.
He tells @petermacmahon 'I'm not previewing the budget right now'
#indyref2
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New: @NicolaSturgeon "shocked" by allegations of bullying made by Tory MP William Wragg against @BorisJohnson government and calls for an independent investigation. See @PaulBrandITV story. #PartyGate
NEW: Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) says she's 'shocked' by 'gravely serious' allegations of bullying against UK Government whips.
The First Minister calls for an independent invstigation.
Full story: itv.com/news/border/2022-01-…
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After more than a decade, I've presented my final episode of @ITVBorderRB. It's been a privilege. Thank you to everyone who has watched. Everyone we've interviewed. And all my brilliant colleagues. @KieranPAndrews takes the helm in the new year. Keep watching. He'll be brilliant.
A fond farewell from @petermacmahon, who presented his last episode of Representing Border this evening.
'It's been a privilege to report the ever changing, ever fascinating political world, from the perspective of the great people of the south of Scotland'
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On #coronavirus construction restrictions, stricter than UK, @NicolaSturgeon says economic impact will be "significant", take time to put right but "we cannot bring people back to life". "The priority has to be to preserve human life, and reduce the number of people who die."
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Message to people in England Wales and N Ireland from @NicolaSturgeon "SNP MPs will fight for jobs, fairness and progressive values"
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And here is confirmation from @NicolaSturgeon that if Northern Ireland has a special deal, closer to customs union, @theSNP will demand the same for Scotland. Puts pressure on @DavidMundellDCT
Indeed. PM’s approach would take Scotland out of the single market (despite our 62% remain vote) but leave us competing for investment with Northern Ireland that is effectively still in it.
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Free school meals for those eligible will continue in Scotland through summer holidays, June to mid-August - @NicolaSturgeon Does not mention @MarcusRashford or @BorisJohnson. £12.6m to councils to pay for it. 175,000 currently getting some form, including vouchers, cash payments
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Sometimes you have to say something. I hope no-one (I am sure that includes @NicolaSturgeon) thinks this kind of 'comment' acceptable. @ChrisMusson @conor_matchett, others, doing their job as journalists. Berated for that, and being English! Criticism, fine. This goes well beyond
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Business body in Scotland @CBI_Scotland calls on @scotgov to provide evidence that click and collect is a threat to health, and says new restrictions could "could mean the difference between business survival or not".
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I put it to @NicolaSturgeon that having different guidance on face covering north and south of the border is confusing. Here’s her explanation of why, in her view, it’s not.
The First Minister has denied that different advice on wearing face coverings either side of the border will cause confusion. @NicolaSturgeon told Political Editor @petermacmahon that her advice was straightforward, and guided by science.
Full interview on @ITVBorderRB.
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Growing calls for @NicolaSturgeon to do more to get Scotland's schools back closer to normal in August including from @devisridhar (see below), @LordMcConnell writing in the Mail and @thetimesscot reporting @JohnSwinney had a hard time in a virtual meeting with parents last night
1/ Right now (like other UK nations), we must plan for a school model based on physical distancing. But as @devisridhar says, *if* we can suppress virus sufficiently & have other measures in place, nearer normality may be possible. It’s why we must stick with plan to suppress.
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Breaking: If independent Scotland planned to join (rejoin?) the #EU, there will be customs barriers at the border with England, and voters would not support that in #indyref2, former @theSNP cabinet minister @AlexNeilSNP, about to stand down as an MSP, warns his party. 👇👇👇
Former SNP Cabinet Secretary Alex Neil warns re-joining EU won't wash with Scottish voters.
@AlexNeilSNP: 'By definition there are going to be customs barriers at the border between Scotland and the rest of the UK'
He says people won't vote for that in #indyref2
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New: Dumfriesshire MSP @olivermundell has resigned from @ScotTories front bench team at Holyrood after voting against the party whip over concerns of the impact new border restrictions, brought in by @NicolaSturgeon @snp @scotgov would have on communities in his constituency.
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Wow. A glowing endorsement of the @theSNP @NicolaSturgeon and @JohnSwinney from the @Daily_Record - once a stalwart supporter of @scottishlabour
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Late to this, but this is a big story. The @theSNP government has always said their Non-Profit-Distributing finance system (NPD) was different from PFI. I may be missing something here (?) but based on this, it does not look very different.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-e…
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Compare and contrast. Today at #FMQs.
@Douglas4Moray: Does the First Minister have full confidence in the Scottish Qualifications Authority?"
@NicolaSturgeon: "Yes, I do."
Two hours later @S_A_Somerville announced @sqanews and @EducationScot "will be reformed".
Education Scotland (ES) + SQA “will be reformed”, part of plans for Scotland’s education recovery. Education Secretary @S_A_Somerville “role, remit and purpose of both organisations will be considered”, as well as “functions and governance arrangements”. Potentially major changes
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Late breaking: in context of #Ukraine and oil & gas, I asked @FergusEwingSNP if it was a mistake for @NicolaSturgeon to bring @scottishgreens into @scotgov? Says Green party policies "somewhat extreme particularly policy of "sacrificing the people in the oil and gas industry"...
'We need all the oil and gas production we can get'
Fergus Ewing (@FergusEwingSNP) says North Sea oil and gas production should continue for 'decades'.
The @theSNP former Energy Minister also says the @scottishgreens policies are 'somewhat extreme' and 'sacrifice' jobs
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New. I asked @Douglas4Moray if he believes @BorisJohnson is a man of integrity and honour. I asked three times, to try to be clear. His answers are here. @ScotTories leader says he does not believe @BorisJohnson made "bodies piled high" remarks. More on @ITVBorderRB tonight #SP21
NEW: "I do not believe the Prime Minister said those words".
Scottish Tory leader @Douglas4Moray is asked by @petermacmahon about claims Boris Johnson said 'pile the bodies high.' But does he think the PM is a man of integrity and honour? bit.ly/32P3egC
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New. @NicolaSturgeon on @BorisJohnson and @PaulBrandITV's exclusive on the Downing Street BYOB party. 'The office of Prime Minister would be greatly enhanced by Boris Johnson's departure' @ScotGovFM #PartyGate
'The office of Prime Minister would be greatly enhanced by Boris Johnson's departure' @NicolaSturgeon says.
The First Minister tells MSPs there 'appears to be serial breaches' of the rules, and says PM is 'apparently not being truthful'
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.@AuditScotland unable to determine where all of £5bn of #COVID @scotgov funding went. @AuditorGenScot "exceptional circumstance" but "knowing where money went matters". @_KateForbes - working with industry, councils + agencies "minimised fraud and risk".
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-6…
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Thought a while before Tweeting this but heck…let’s go for it. I know I won’t regret this will I? Answers in the affirmative please. #SCOvENG
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New: @KateForbesMSP promises £90m to help any councils which choose to do so to freeze their council tax this year. One might be forgiven for suggesting the upcoming Holyrood election may have had some influence on that. #ScottishBudget
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Fascinating that @theSNP which, to state the obvious, is a party focusing only on er Scotland, has more members than @Conservatives a UK-wide party. Official figures...
The latest available data shows that membership of @theSNP (August 2018) has surpassed the latest reported figures for @Conservatives (March 2018). Want to know more? Read our brand new Insight on UK party membership bit.ly/2N96GfT
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Breaking education story. High school exams in Scotland are "out-of-date" 19th and 21st century technology operating in 21st century. They should be replaced by continuous exams not "one-time, high-stress, win/lose moment", say @scotGov international Council of Advisers
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"My job is...just about saving lives", @NicolaSturgeon tells MSPs at #fmqs on #conronavirus, saying she is leading a team. Earlier she said: "I do not want to scare people" but stresses "This is not a drill. this is happening." Rightly, sombre, very serious, mood at Holyrood.
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“Today I want, once again, to remind people that at the heart of this case were women who had the courage to come forward and complain."
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👇👇👇New. "We talk the talk on progressive politics, we don't walk the walk" @ProfJMitchell on @snp @NicolaSturgeon @scotgov "Not really addressing poverty.... "A middle class parliament for a middle class population.." I summarise. Full interview: itv.com/news/border/2021-05-…
'We talk the talk on progressive politics, we don't walk the walk'
@ProfJMitchell says the Scottish Parliament has 'ample powers to get on with the job' without independence, but isn't properly using them
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Also terrible polling ratings for @BorisJohnson in Scotland compared to @NicolaSturgeon who, remember, has been in power since 2007. #IndyRef2
NEW @IpsosMORIScot & @STVNews poll 🧵
✴️Boris Johnson’s ratings fall to lowest level @IpsosMORIScot has yet recorded for a Conservative PM – 4 in 5 Scots dissatisfied
✴️Support for indy back to level last seen in late 2020 – Yes 55%/No 45% among those who'd vote either way (1/8)
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Looking at national, local authority and individual school data, Prof Scott found attainment in Scottish national qualification levels three to five in S4 pupils has dropped by at least 32.9% for each level since CfE was introduced in 2013.
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Looks like ex-@ScotTories MSP @MBallantyneMSP is about to be unveiled as the Scottish leader of @ReformUK__Party, formerly the #Brexit party, run by @Nigel_Farage and @TiceRichard
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Now the big one. Scottish Politician of the Year. #PoliticianAwards18 A high accolade. @JeaneF1MSP
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Last week @NicolaSturgeon said she wanted to treat Scots like 'grown ups' and set out her thinking, if not detail, of ending #lockdown Looks like @Keir_Starmer has 'borrowed' her line. Imitation the best form of flattery? #Covid_19 #coronavirus @DailyMirror splash.
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Breaking: @NicolaSturgeon tells me she's not ruled out #indyref2 next year. If @theSNP win Holyrood election she intends will be "in the early part" of next Scottish parliament. Stresses she has significant responsibilities as @ScotGovFM dealing with #COVIDー19 #coronavirusuk
First Minister @NicolaSturgeon tells us she hopes a second independence referendum will be held in the early part of the next parliament.
The SNP leader says that could mean #indyref2 next year
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.@scotgov "good at making announcements" but this is about "getting money into people's pockets and it's not getting there", @RuthDavidsonMSP tells @NicolaSturgeon #COVID19 #coronavirus
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There's always a place for humour... @Number10cat on @BorisJohnson and resignations
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New: Just spoken to @Feorlean. The Scottish government's Constitutional Relations Secretary maintains #indyref2 will happen this year despite @BorisJohnson telling @NicolaSturgeon Westminster will not give legal consent. More on @ITVborder this evening and @ITVBorderRB later.
'I think a referendum this year is the right thing to do... I intend to deliver it.'
Michael Russell MSP (@Feorlean) tells @petermacmahon the Scottish Government still plans to hold #indyref2 this year
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NEW: Scotland to be in full #lockdown from midnight tonight, @NicolaSturgeon is about to announce. The new #COVID19 restrictions will be reinforced by law, as before. @ScotGovFM likely to outline a twin strategy to combat particularly the new strain of #coronavirus
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Analysis by Scottish government shows #Brexit is damaging for Scotland @NicolaSturgeon says. No Scottish government could accept @theresa_may’s deal @ScotGovFM adds.
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.@NicolaSturgeon verdict on @BorisJohnson cautious message on #lockdown: "I thought the Prime Minister's message this morning was appropriate." @10DowningStreet + @ScotGovFM - a lot of "alignment". Still hopes there will be common approach north and south of the Border. #COVID19
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Strong attack on @ScotTories "deceit" by @JohnSwinney Says when @NicolaSturgeon announced standardised assessments @RuthDavidsonMSP claimed credit. "Last week @ScotTories demanded more school data this week they want less." Tories "playing politics with education of our children"
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New this morning: when #COVID outbreak began @scotGov "had no plan in place to manage this specific kind of outbreak", so based its response on the 2011 UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy, @AuditScotland report has found.
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Breaking thread: @NicolaSturgeon warns that a Westminster government that wants to “shut down the House of Commons” “perhaps would not think twice about doing the same to the Scottish Parliament if it suited their purposes”
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This is a very sobering warning for the Gaelic language. Scotland would lose a lot - linguistically, culturally, historically - if Gaelic-speaking communities disappear. A loss it could never restore. Interest declaration: three children educated in Gaelic-medium education.
Gaelic-speaking communities are unlikely to survive beyond this decade unless urgent action is taken, a comprehensive new study has warned.
It estimated there are only around 11,000 Gaelic vernacular speakers (those who use it socially, day-to-day).
heraldscotland.com/news/1855…
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Ahead of Programme for Government today @NicolaSturgeon talking to pupils at Leith Academy about mental health #PfG
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Following @RuthDavidsonMSP #FMQs question to @NicolaSturgeon on @AlexNeilSNP call for a judge led inquiry into the handling of harassment complaints against @AlexSalmond here’s what @AlexNeilSNP told me for @ITVBorderRB
There should be a judge-led inquiry into allegations of a political conspiracy against Alex Salmond, SNP former cabinet secretary Alex Neil tells @petermacmahon
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"The Scottish Conservatives were - and remain - willing to work with the SNP government to restore standards in Scottish education. The problem is that @NicolaSturgeon won't allow her party to work with the Scottish Conservatives, however, so schools are made to suffer." @MspLiz
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Please read. A cautionary tale about the dangers of melanoma with a happy ending, I am personally very, very pleased to say. A mother's day present that saved a life. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and kills nearly 2,300 people a year.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-e…
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306 MSPs have been elected to Holyrood, since its creation, just 4 from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. Political rivals @AnasSarwar + @HumzaYousaf unite to tell me that's not good enough. What should be done? More on @ITVBorderRB tonight +on line if we can.
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.@NicolaSturgeon: “I welcome the conclusions of James Hamilton’s independent investigation, which are comprehensive, evidence-based and unequivocal."
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New. @ITVBorderRB has discovered that @NHSBorders told @scotgov on May 29 it had "no capacity within the existing NHS testing team" to implement @JeaneF1MSP promise that all staff in care homes are regularly tested for #COVID__19
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Reply to @BorisJohnson 'No' on #indyref2 from @IBlackfordSNP: “Boris Johnson’s stance is undemocratic and ultimately untenable. The simple fact is that the SNP already has a cast-iron mandate for a referendum and the Scottish people want the chance to have their say." #GE2019
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Breaking: That's 40% of @BorisJohnson's MPs do NOT have confidence in him. That is a serious blow for the PM. #NoConfidenceVote
And the result is in: Boris Johnson wins the confidence vote in his leadership, by 211 versus 148. That's 58% - less than Theresa May and John Major, better than Margaret Thatcher.
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.@AuditScotland @AuditorGenScot tell @SP_PublicAudit Transport Scotland 'accountable officer' - senior civil servant - would be expected to have documentary records of the risks of awarding a contact to inform ministers. @AuditScotland asked for this but "none was forthcoming".
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Congratulations to @KieranPAndrews who's taking over as Political Editor at @ITVborder and @ITVBorderRB in the New Year. He'll do an absolutely brilliant job. I've loved working at @ITVborder but after more than a decade, it's time to move on to something a bit different.
Delighted to have been appointed political editor of @ITVborder, stepping into the big shoes of @petermacmahon
I'll miss wonderful colleagues at @timesscotland, where I've loved the last six years, but excited for a new challenge joining a great team
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Conclusion of James Hamilton report explaining each allegation that @NicolaSturgeon broke the ministerial code, and his decision that she did not. #sturgeon
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@murdo_fraser “The Scottish Government complains endlessly that they don’t have enough money to spend and blames the UK Government at every turn. Now we learn that £135m has just had to be written off due to failed investments. This is a staggering waste of public money...
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One by-election does not a political summer make and all that, but this in Leith Walk is a significant win for the @theSNP , very good for @scotgp and can only be objectively described as poor for @scottishlabour
Leith Walk (Edinburgh) result:
SNP: 35.7% (+1.4)
GRN: 25.5% (+5.9)
LAB: 15.5% (-7.0)
CON: 10.7% (-3.7)
LDEM: 8.6% (+4.8)
IND (Illingworth): 1.5% (+1.5)
UKIP: 1.2% (+1.2)
SLP: 0.8% (-0.1)
IND (Scott): 0.2% (+0.2)
FBM: 0.2% (+0.2)
LBT: 0.2% (+0.2)
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John Smith died 30 years ago. I noticed these flowers on a bust in the Scottish Parliament yesterday. A simple tribute. I sometimes wonder what he’d make of modern politics.
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Prof Scott also found the number of Higher passes in S5 has dropped by 10% in past four years - a reduction, the report claims, "Scotland cannot afford". He says every set of learners has seen a negative impact, but worst affected pupils were those who are "less than average".
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A final bit from me, I hope, on @thetimesscot story that Scotland was being discriminated against in favour of England on #coronavirus PPE supplies, something @JeaneF1MSP now says she accepts is not happening and both governments are working together on.
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Quick recap. This is what the White Paper said: ' * for those people living in Scotland in receipt of the UK State Pension at the time of independence, the responsibility for the payment of that pension will transfer to the Scottish Government' (page 164)
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New: @NicolaSturgeon says @theSNP position on pensions were Scotland to become independent hasn't changed since the @scotgov white paper of 2013, which she was closely involved in drafting.
Nicola Sturgeon says SNP's position on pensions 'hasn't changed' since 2014.
First Minister accepts 'on an ongoing basis it will be for the Scottish Government to fund Scottish pensions'.
However, she says 'historic assets and liabilities' will be a 'matter for negotiation'
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.@scottishlabour Iain Gray: "The latest analysis of
the SNP's record ... is a damning indictment of a Government unable to assess its failings.
"The catastrophic drop in attainment...presents us with possibility of Scotland lacking new scientists, teachers, doctors, nurses.
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Level 4 restrictions in place for 3 weeks, lifted on 11 December. "...level 4 is intended to be short and sharp." @NicolaSturgeon "And in this situation, it is specifically intended to have an impact in advance of Christmas and the most challenging winter period."
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Also @AuditScotland says there was no evidence of a "written request" from Transport Scotland or civil servants to ministers to give them formal direction to go ahead, despite @scotgov having been informed of the risk. Scottish equivalent of ministerial direction
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Deputy First Minister @JohnSwinney promises @whocaresscot #loverally in George Square, Glasgow, that all care-experienced people will be ‘Loved, safe and respected’ in society. Making the promise of ‘love’ also on behalf of @NicolaSturgeon @ScotGovFM
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Still proud of this @TheScotsman devolution referendum - 20 years ago today - splash with my by-line. Changed Scotland and UK forever.
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New: Further #COVID19 70 deaths in Scotland since yesterday @NicolaSturgeon confirms. Total on measure of those tested positive 985. 8,672 tested positive (+222), 1,866 in hospital (+57), 166 intensive care (-3).
@ScotGovFM 'cautiously optimistic' because of hospital admissions.
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This story in Sunday Mail yesterday that straight-A students are not getting into Scotland's top Universities is getting a lot of follow-ups today. Suspect this one will run and run with @JohnSwinney + @NicolaSturgeon challenged about it . dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott…
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Looks like @SP_PublicAudit will take this inquiry further and call ministers and more senior civil servants, as @GlennBBC has already reported.
Holyrood’s audit committee is taking evidence from @AuditorGenScot on overdue, overbudget CalMac ferry order from Ferguson shipyard
Afterwards, committee (opposition majority) expected to agree a short inquiry, calling ministers present and past, including Derek Mackay
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Breaking @Jackson_Carlaw is going to see @BorisJohnson next weekto speak to him about @ScotTories manifesto commitment for #immigration system "that reflects the needs of places that need immigration most". Says @theSNP govt has some sensible plans. @ScotTories privately fizzing
Could the @ScotTories support @NicolaSturgeon's proposal for a separate 'Scottish Visa'?
Leader @Jackson_Carlaw doesn't rule it out.
He tells @GregoryHoare the Scottish Government's plans have a 'sensible analysis' which his party is 'still digesting'
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Also worth noting that @AuditorGenScot says that non-disclosure agreements which now ex senior employees at the yard signed when they left meant that one ex-employee who wanted to give evidence to @AuditScotland on what happened could not do so. Further lack of evidence.
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New. @Keir_Starmer tells me with #COVID #indyref2 is not what people want, even if @NicolaSturgeon @theSNP win a Holyrood majority. Previously he’d told me if they won a majority they would have a mandate.
Labour leader @Keir_Starmer says 'with a pandemic like this' #indyref2 is not what people in Scotland want.
@petermacmahon had asked him about a previous interview, in which he told us an SNP majority in the Holyrood election would give them a mandate for another referendum
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New and important: There is still a "wide" gap between the education attainment of pupils from poorer and better off backgrounds in Scotland and the @scotgov plan to close it "falls short" of ministers' aims, @AuditScotland has found.
itv.com/news/border/2021-03-…
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Sad to learn of the passing of David Scott, former local government and latterly Scottish government editor of @TheScotsman. David was the best of us as a journalist. He knew his subject in detail. Respected across the parties and by officials and civil servants. He had authority
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