One night’s events that left Mark McDonald’s ministerial career in tatters
Mark McDonald’s high-flying ministerial career was left in tatters because of the events of one day in 2016, it has emerged.
Mark McDonald says allegations had ‘significant impact’ on his mental health
Claims against Mark McDonald which were not proven had a “significant and lasting impact” on his mental health and his family, the Aberdeen Donside MSP said.
Fresh calls for Mark McDonald to quit Holyrood as he faces ‘unprecedented’ suspension
Mark McDonald was facing fresh calls to quit Holyrood last night after being left on the brink of an unprecedented suspension over his harassment of a woman.
Concern over multi-million-pound repair bills at north and north-east colleges
North East Scotland College is facing a repair bill of more than £20 million and a Highland college has to act to remain “financially sustainable”, a new report has revealed.
North MSP wins battle to have sprinklers fitted in new-build homes
A Highland MSP has secured a victory in his campaign to have fire sprinklers fitted in all new social housing in Scotland.
Auditors to visit 10 communities before deciding if local RBS branches should close
Independent auditors have vowed to visit all 10 communities before deciding whether to save or axe their local RBS bank branch.
Reviewer appointed to decide the future of 10 closure-threatened RBS branches
An independent reviewer has been appointed to carry out a study into the future of 10 closure-threatened RBS bank branches in communities in Scotland.
Disgraced Aberdeen MSP advised to consider legal action against SNP over harassment probe
Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald has been advised to consider legal action against the SNP and a former colleague following a fresh probe into his conduct.
MSP says firms behind major public projects such as AWPR should be covered by FoI laws
Firms building major public infrastructure projects such as the Aberdeen bypass should be covered by freedom of information laws, it has been claimed.
North-east pain sufferer finally gets hospital appointment after year-long wait
A north-east man who has had to wait more than a year for treatment for a painful condition has finally been given an appointment – after writing to Nicola Sturgeon.
Map of protected cash machines sparks concerns for remote communities
A new map has revealed the remote cash machines that will be protected from closure – but triggered “grave” concerns about the future of fragile communities last night.
Sharp rise in hate crimes linked to sexuality in the north-east last year
Shock new figures show that hate crimes against lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the north-east almost doubled in the last year.
MSP calls for protection of Rolls-Royce jobs in the north
Plans by Rolls-Royce to cut 4,600 jobs over the next few years have sparked calls to protect posts at the engineering firm’s bases in northern Scotland.
Mark McDonald MSP must wait to discover punishment after conduct probe
Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald will have to wait another week to find out if he will be punished over harassment allegations.
Verdict due next week on north MSP’s sprinkler campaign
A Highland MSP will find out by next week if the Scottish Government will back his call for sprinklers to be installed in all new-build social housing.
Sir Ian Wood calls for parents and teachers to help create trades job ‘prestige’
Sir Ian Wood has issued a fresh call for parents and teachers to play their part in creating a new “prestige” around vocational training, apprenticeships and the trades.
SNP minister claims Westminster ‘reined back’ on cash for Aberdeen and Inverness
The UK Government refused calls to give extra cash to Aberdeen and Inverness during behind-the-scenes talks that led to City Region Deals, it has been claimed.
John Swinney faces call to deliver ‘fair pay’ for all school staff
Education Secretary John Swinney is under growing pressure to ensure all school staff receive the same level of pay rise as teachers.
Cash machines in rural areas ‘only safe for four years’
A guarantee that 221 cash machines in remote communities in Scotland are safe from closure will only last for four years – and many could still be axed before then.
Plan for council-run bus service in Aberdeen dealt a blow
Plans for a council takeover of Aberdeen’s bus network have been dealt a blow after a proposed new law limited the scope for a bid by the local authority.
Public urged to report dead fulmar birds on Scottish beaches to researchers
The public has been urged to help researchers who are investigating the impact of plastic pollution on Scotland’s seabirds.
Verdict due in Mark McDonald conduct probe at Holyrood
Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald could discover his fate this week after a fresh investigation into his conduct.
RSPB boss calls for rat culls on Scottish islands to boost seabird colonies
Rat culls should be organised on all Scottish islands to secure the return of seabird colonies, it has been claimed.
Every dead bird analysed by RSPB contained a ‘lunchbox full of plastic’
Two tonnes of plastic have been found in the stomachs of fulmar birds around the North Sea.
Shona Robison concedes the NHS is not doing enough to support patients once they leave hospital
Health Secretary Shona Robison has admitted that the NHS is not doing enough to support patients when they leave hospital.
New SNP depute leader Keith Brown says a second independence referendum is ‘undoubtedly ahead’
New SNP depute leader Keith Brown used his victory speech yesterday to unveil cash support for Brexit-hit firms - and to signal that a second independence vote was “undoubtedly ahead”.
Sturgeon: The SNP is a social democracy model which is under threat across the world
Nicola Sturgeon will today cast the SNP as a bastion of a social democracy model that is under attack across the globe.
John Swinney says a ‘renaissance’ is underway in Scottish education
John Swinney yesterday promised a “renaissance” was under way in Scotland education - as a teaching union threatened to strike over pay.
Community cash for hosting wind farms branded ‘inconsistent’ by MSPs
Communities are often being left with just the “crumbs off the table” if they do not strike a hard bargain to host windfarms, MSPs warned yesterday.
Health secretary challenged over Highland children’s services waiting times
Health Secretary Shona Robison has been challenged on efforts to cut waiting times for children’s health services in the Highlands.
HGV speed limit could be increased after A9 trial
Speed limits for lorries could be increased on roads across Scotland after a trial on sections of the A9 between Inverness and Perth.
SNP activists poised to deliver £1.4 million boost to north-east economy
The north-east economy is poised to receive a £1.4 million boost as about 2,500 delegates flock to Aberdeen today for the start of the SNP conference.