Exclusive:
Douglas Alexander's first external meeting as Trade Minsiter was with lobbyists Global Counsel, following an introduction by Peter Mandelson - and was only declared a year and a half later, after MPs demanded publication of text messages
https://t.co/PyoE5q6vQp
NEW: The SNP has written to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, asking for an urgent investigation into whether Douglas Alexander has broken the ministerial code
BREAKING: The SNP have demanded the prime minister's independent ethics adviser investigate whether Douglas Alexander has broken the ministerial code
It comes after files showed Peter Mandelson introduced him to a lobbying firm and this was not declared
A Tory health minister asked me in 2017 how #Scotland had set up #CommunityPharmacies & Minor Ailment Services over 10 years earlier.
They will now finally be rolled out across #England
- 20 years after #Scotland!
John Swinney is handling it fine. It’s the media that’s taking it badly. This excuse for journalism is a prime example. They’re losing it as they didn’t get the result they needed. They constantly become more desperate. We need a Scottish ofcom to regulate the media in Scotland
Natalie Higgins is joined in the studio by political correspondent Lynsey Bews and Andy Maciver from the Holyrood Sources podcast to talk about how John Swinney is handling the Peter Murrell scandal.
Listen to Scotcast: https://t.co/TENzaR56sF
@StephenWatt_ Actually it’s bigger than labour, Tory, reform and Lib Dem together. You must really be embarrassed that labour fell so far under Sarwar &!Baillie. It will fall even further the longer you keep them. Please keep them.
What a day. Pretty much all opposition MSPs & media are publicly saying the 3yr independent police inquiry with professional investigators and forensic accountants didn’t do a good enough job and a kangaroo court of holyrood MSPs would do better. Scottish politics is a lost cause
This is why I don’t watch this shite anymore. The 3 yr police investigation was an independent inquiry with forensic accountants and trained investigators. They got their culprit. Is he saying the police Scotland isn’t independent
“The SNP is an incredibly powerful organisation, so we need to hold it to account”
Scottish Liberal Democrat Adam Harley says we need “transparency” to restore “trust” in politics, calling for an independent investigation into Peter Murrell’s embezzlement of SNP funds
#bbcdn
Soooo Tories want a short term independent inquiry as it would be quicker but labour don’t want that , they want a kangaroo holyrood inquiry as the would be quicker. Embarrassing. Just read the 2 yr police report, that would be much fucking quicker.
Scottish Labour deputy leader @jackiebmsp is standing by her call for a Holyrood inquiry and believes it would be entirely appropriate - says it would also be quicker and more effective than an independent inquiry
Good to see @Rachael2Win (who was fined £52,500 by the DWP for failing to comply with the law on workplace pensions) being put in her place - next up the dame of shame
WOW! REFORM - Nigel Farage's dodgy £5m personal donation, Richard Tice's Company failing to pay £120, 000 tax, Reform's Welsh Leader banged up for 10yrs for taking Russian bribes, 10 hoose Malky committing political suicide and countless Councillors resigning before they start!
BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast saying no Scottish government minister was available to come on this morning - the morning after the Scottish Parliament voted to request the powers for an independence referendum.
British economy snapshot over the last 4 years:
Gas: +94.1%
Electricity: +78%
Fuel: +49.3%
Airfares: +34.4%
Hotels: +37.8%
Groceries: +25.0%
Eating out: +26.5%
Baby food: +26.3%
Dog food: +58.1%
Rent: +25%
Used cars: +30.5%
Public transport: +18.7%
Real average weekly earnings: -2.8%
The UK population is being killed
Source: ONS
Been a beautiful day off. A lot done in the garden 😊. Come on here and I see the uk media in Scotland is doing its usual 30% fact with 70% shit stirring. They never fail create the news rather than report it. We really need a Scottish ofcom
@HolyroodDaily@holyroodmandy Ffs this is the usual shite journalism in Scotland.
Reform MSPs can still speak, vote, propose motions, serve on committees (subject to parliamentary rules), and hold the government to account. Swinney isn’t suspending them or blocking their mandate.
Not undemocratic.
I'm focused on delivering for people in Scotland. This week, we will bring forward plans to cut the cost of living, expand childcare and help first-time buyers.
And tomorrow, Parliament can back Scotland's right to hold a referendum on the fresh start of independence. 🏴