Indyref2 support needed for Labour to gain SNP backing, Blackford suggests
The SNP’s Westminster leader has appeared to suggest his party would only help Labour form a government in return for support for a Scottish independence referendum.
hol;yrood
James Duddridge criticised over cancelling committee appearance ‘at last minute’
A UK Government Minister for Brexit has been called “extremely disrespectful” after cancelling an appearance before a Scottish Parliament committee “at the last minute”.
UK Parliament should not block second Scottish independence referendum: Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn has said it is not up to the UK Parliament to block a second Scottish independence referendum.
Majority want Scottish Government to have ‘final say’ on indyref2, poll suggests
Almost three-fifths of Scots say it should be Holyrood ministers – and not Westminster – who decide if there should be a second independence referendum.
SNP defy calls to step aside from chairing Holyrood investigation into handling of claims against Alex Salmond
The SNP yesterday defied calls to step down from chairing the Holyrood committee set up to investigate the Scottish Government’s botched handling of complaints into Alex Salmond.
Derek Mackay welcomes bank proposals
An Aberdeen MSP has said that ambitious plans for a Scottish national investment bank have “enormous potential” to help revive the north-east’s economy.
Tourism can benefit from Mary Queen Of Scots movie, says minister
The new Mary Queen Of Scots movie offers a great opportunity for Scotland’s tourism sector, the Culture Secretary has said.
Derek Mackay pledges cash for health and education
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay made health and education key priorities of his budget, investing hundreds of millions of pounds in initiatives designed to cut waiting lists and raise school standards.
Scotland’s landowners stress they want less interference over what trees to plant where
Hey Holyrood leave our trees alone - that's the message from landowners wanting more freedom to where trees can be planted.
Man who sparked major security alert whilst trying to set fire to the Scottish Parliament gets jail sentence
A man who tried to set fire to the Scottish Parliament, held a large kitchen knife over his head and said he wanted the police to kill him has been jailed.
MSPs spent thousands of pounds on hotel meals, taxis and stamps
A north-east MSP spent almost £1,200 on meals in Edinburgh hotels last year, while another forked out £4,350 on postage stamps.
North-east MSP seek Brexit answers over fishing and farming
A north-east MSP has called for clarity on the future of fish workers and farmers post-Brexit.
Scottish Government ‘intends to contest Alex Salmond’s legal action’
The Scottish Government has notified court officials it intends to contest Alex Salmond’s legal action over its handling of sexual harassment allegations made against him.
Campaigners to raise Bennachie road fears with transport minister
Campaigners fighting to keep a new road away from Bennachie will argue their case with the Scottish Government’s transport minister tomorrow.
Holyrood to be first legislature to host BBC’s Question Time
The BBC’s flagship Question Time programme is to be broadcast from Holyrood next month, making it the first UK legislature to host the long-running show.
Lochhead ‘raring to go’ as he takes cabinet post vacated by shamed MSP Gillian Martin
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead says he is “raring to go” as the Scottish Government’s new minister for further education after the first choice for the post was axed on the day she was to be appointed.
Calls made for ‘urgent’ review of subject choices in Scottish schools
Calls have been made for an “urgent” review of subject choices in Scottish schools amid claims the country’s educational reputation is being “squandered”.
Councils expected to have new powers over bus services as part of proposed transport bill
Draft legislation has been published which the Scottish Government claims will give new powers over bus services.
Fury as Westminster leaves no time to debate devolution aspects of Brexit bill
Furious MPs hit out yesterday claiming there would be little time to carry out a debate on the Brexit Bill clauses around devolution.
Women’s Equality Party considering standing against Mark McDonald
The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) is considering standing a candidate against shamed Aberdeen MSP Mark McDonald should he fight his Donside seat again in 2021.
Highlands tourism boom expected as Transport Secretary confirms official support for third Heathrow runway
A Highland tourism boom is expected now Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has confirmed official support for a third Heathrow runway.
Rail passengers get their first chance to officially air views on fares
The UK’s first public consultation on rail fares will be launched today.
Aberdeen to train 30 more doctors
Aberdeen University will train 30 extra doctors after receiving new Scottish Government funding.
Quotas ‘still needed’ for UK fisheries post-Brexit, says think tank
A think-tank has claimed quotas will still be needed for the UK fishing sector after Brexit.
Monitoring sweeps for delivery charge rogue traders will start today
A watchdog will start monitoring sweeps for delivery charge rogue traders from today.
Aberdeen council will demand more funding for the city
A report is being prepared between the council and private sector to demand more funding for the Aberdeen authority.
Groundswell of support for liberalising abortion laws across the UK
Campaigners have claimed there is a groundswell of support for liberalising abortion laws across the UK in the wake of the Irish referendum result.
Fergus Ewing denies Holyrood cabinet reshuffle during Aberdeen visit
Fisheries Minister Fergus Ewing batted away rumours of a looming cabinet reshuffle at Holyrood during his visit to the Skipper Expo International Aberdeen show yesterday.
Merger of police and fire services risks alienating north-east communities
Aberdeenshire Council has claimed local knowledge and vital north-east resources have been lost with the roll-out of the single police and fire service.
Brexit has strengthened the union, says Michael Gove
Michael Gove has revealed that he believes Brexit has strengthened unionism and forced the “nationalist threat” from the SNP into retreat.
There is still a path to a Brexit deal despite constitutional crisis, says Nicola Sturgeon
There is a still a path to a Brexit deal with the UK, Nicola Sturgeon has told businesspeople in London as a constitutional crisis looms.
SNP would shackle Scottish fishermen to the EU forever, says David Duguid
North-east politicians have become embroiled in a war of words over Brexit, each claiming the other is selling-out Scotland’s fisherman.