Alex Salmond contradicts Nicola Sturgeon over claims a female complainer's name was disclosed

coronavirus lockdown on a limited basis from May 17.Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday (March 16) announced a wide-ranging easing of restrictions that includes the reopening of concert halls, cinemas, theatres and comedy clubs in the middle of May.Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament that capacity limits on venues and events would be discussed with industry leaders over the next few weeks, adding that she was “optimistic” about people being able to return to nightclubs “over

Dr Gregor Smith hailed the success of the on-going covid vaccination programme after the number of Scots who have received their first dose passed the two million mark yesterday.He admitted reaching this stage in the pandemic "has not been easy" and said many of his colleagues in the medical and social care professions were now "exhausted".Smith, who worked as a GP in South Lanarkshire before being appointed CMO by Nicola Sturgeon, said the range of vaccines available offered real hope that a

First Minister provided detailed dates of when the country can expect to begin opening back up.Nicola Sturgeon said a phased re-opening will begin next month with the Stay at Home message being dropped on April 2.On April 5, hairdressers, garden centres, click and collect services and some non-essential retail can open.On April 12, all children will return to classrooms full time.By April 26, all non-essential retail will open, tourist accommodation, gyms, and outdoor hospitality with a

coronavirus deaths and 625 new cases in last 24 hours The First Minister released the figures from St Andrews House in Nicola Sturgeon.

indyref2” next to the party’s name on voting slips.First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has backed another referendum in the early part of the next term.The call was ramped up last week after SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said it could take place this year.With the Tories making opposition to indyref2 a key part of their electoral strategy, a referendum looks likely to be a dominant issue in next month’s election campaign.An application to the electoral watchdog shows the SNP has

feather-duster to their finances and get ready for the change in seasons.Spring begins on Saturday, March 20, and even though the clocks don’t change until 1am on Sunday, March 28, the seasonal change brings an end to the long, dark winter months which have been spent by most Scots in lockdown, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.The arrival of spring will be particularly relevant this year as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is set to give further details on Scotland’s route map out of

Nicola Sturgeon on March 2, the day before she appeared before the inquiry investigating the handling of harassment complaints against former first minister Alex Salmond.On BBC Scotland's Sunday Show, Andrea Bradley, the assistant secretary of the EIS teaching union, said the Scottish Government was looking for a "good news story that week".However, Ms Sturgeon had previously announced the earliest date for some pupils to return to school would be March 15.On Monday, Education Secretary John

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The region is set to hear about the latest steps out of lockdown tomorrow - with the battered retail and hospitality sector among those preparing to hear when they can re-open their doors.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed at a press briefing earlier this afternoon that she will deliver a statement to Holyrood tomorrow outlining dates of when certain restrictions can be lifted.It follows the return of

Jason Leitch. Following large groups gathering in George Square and at Ibrox to celebrate the title victory for Steven Gerrard's side, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned the upcoming Old Firm game could be at risk.

Dunblane massacre will be 'forever in our hearts' as Scotland remembers the tragedy 25 years on.The First Minister took to twitter to call the day 'one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history'.On March 13, 1996, crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton murdered 16 primary school children and their teacher in Dunblane, sending shockwaves of grief around the world.Hamilton then took his own life.The murder spree remains Britain's deadliest mass shootings and lead to large-scale reforms on

Prestwick, South Ayrshire, gave her doting dad Jamie a dressing down over 'not washing his hands' this week.The tot's lecture was caught on camera as management consultant Jamie joked his daughter could apply to be one of the National Clinical Director Jason Leitch's understudies.Jamie, 41, wrote on social media: "Nicola Sturgeon, heard about Jason Leitch recruiting for understudies."Please find enclosed another candidate application."Little Rosie donned her bright pink stethoscope before

First Minister is taking questions from MSPs on the coronavirus committee at Holyrood.Nicola Sturgeon is being quizzed on her handling of the pandemic and how Scotland will exit lockdown in the next couple of weeks and months.MSPs will ask Nicola Sturgeon, and Dr Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, a number of questions on the pandemic.The meeting will take place virtually and can be viewed on the Scottish Government website.

Lord Dunlop, who also advised Theresa May when she was Prime Minister, added that Unionists should not bank on the “Salmond imbroglio” bailing them out.Recent opinion polls have shown the SNP are on course to win an outright majority at the Holyrood election in May.If she is returned as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon will demand the UK Government agree to a second independence referendum.However, Boris Johnson has ruled out supporting indyref2 and senior Tories are wanting a strategy to counter

Isle of Bute. Cuthbert, 24, saw red on May 27 last year - the day before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Covid-19 lockdown, which had been in place since March 23, was coming to an end.

Ayrshire agency nurse.Claire Smith, from Ayr, has written to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to ask if the government would reconsider their stance on the £500 Covid-19 bonus not being extended to agency staff.The 38-year-old staff nurse says when the NHS became overwhelmed by coronavrius cases, it was agency staff who ‘stepped up to help’.The mum-of-two was sent oversees to British territory Gibraltar at the start of the pandemic last year, by her then employers, Newcross, to support NHS

Salmond by two women when he was First Minister.Salmond took the government to court and it was agreed the internal probe, which destroyed his friendship with Nicola Sturgeon, had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias.The fiasco cost over £600,000 of public money.Salmond gave evidence last week and accused his successor of misleading parliament over aspects of the scandal..Giving her own evidence, she said “two women were failed and taxpayers’ money was lost, I deeply regret that.”The First

First Minister said there was "good evidence" the national vaccination programme was already reducing the number of deaths from the virus across the country.And the SNP leader revealed the average number of covid cases being reported each day in Scotland had dropped to 657 - the lowest rate since October.It means all primary school pupils will be able to return to class as of March 15 - with high schools reopening full-time after the Easter break.Sturgeon added that a further review of easing

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.West Dunbartonshire school pupils will return to classes from March 15.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has given the green light to more of the region’s schoolchildren returning to classes this month unless new evidence forces a rethink.On March 15, pupils in primaries four through to seven will be allowed back for the first time this year, as will students in fourth, fifth and sixth years.The remaining

iOS and Android.NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospital numbers reduced dramatically overnight by eight with 94 now in health board venues with the virus. This is the first time they've fallen below 100 since December 10ICU numbers now stand at five for the fourth consecutive day.And 24 new cases were detected in Ayrshire.