Nicola Sturgeon official met Alex Salmond accuser before complaint was filed

the correspondence - despite a formal request from a committee of MSPs who are investigating how the government botched its handling of the allegations made against the former SNP leader. Earlier this month a majority of MSPs backed a motion calling on the legal advice to be published.

coronavirus  death toll has hit 3,459, the  Scottish Government  confirmed today.

Linzi Page 's holiday is legally exempt from a travel ban that comes into force tomorrow.Linzi, who has stage 4 bowel cancer, made a plea to the First Minister in an email last night.Legal travel restrictions will come into force on Friday for people who live in tiers 3 and 4.Leaving these areas will be a breach of the law unless the trip is “essential”.However, while international travel is allowed, in many cases it will be unlawful for people to travel to an airport in level 3 or 4.We told how

level two rules on November 24.The change depends on continued progress, but it was seen as a positive sign while Glasgow and 10 other councils were ordered into the highest level four lockdown.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the plan at the Scottish Parliament as part of the government's weekly review of the five-tier system.She said: "I am pleased to report that East Lothian and Midlothian have both seen a marked decline in infection rates – prevalence in these areas is significantly

Alex Salmond case.

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to keep schools open in the west of Scotland even in council areas placed at level four.The First Minister today gave her strongest indication yet that several local authorities will this week be moved into the Government's highest level of lockdown - meaning thousands of non-essential businesses will be forced to close.But both primary and high schools will stay open to ensure youngsters can still attend class.It comes as the country's biggest teaching union, the EIS,

coronavirus vaccine could be available in Scotland, she hopes people will start receiving jabs before the end of 2020 or "certainly very early next year". Her comments at the Scottish Parliament came after drugs manufacturer Pfizer revealed earlier in the week that its Covid-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing the virus.

Alex Salmond had earlier made a “disclosure” to a top civil servant in Nicola Sturgeon’s office.John Somers, principal private secretary to the First Minister, received the information at a meeting weeks before a complaint was made to the Government about Salmond.However, it is unclear from a letter sent by the Government to the Holyrood Inquiry what the woman told Somers.Labour MSP Jackie Baillie described the meeting as "extraordinary".A Holyrood committee is examining how in 2018 the SNP

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is “highly unlikely” she will tomorrow announce a significant easing of covid restrictions for any part of the country.She said Scotland is in a “far better” position than it was, but noted there still needed to be a big decline in cases.However, she did not rule out tougher restrictions for some areas.The Scottish Government recently announced a five-tier system of restrictions for the country’s local authority areas.The first weekly review will be announced in

Nicola Sturgeon has said she would be breaching the Ministerial code if she handed over her Government’s legal advice in the Alex Salmond case.

Alex Salmond case is undermining Nicola Sturgeon's position.

Alex Salmond case.

Alex Salmond sexual misconduct probe. A debate urging Nicola Sturgeon 's administration to hand over the advice is under way at Holyrood and a vote will take place later this afternoon.

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Government is looking at making travel restrictions mandatory.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she didn’t know positive Covid-19 patients were moved to care homes until August -  despite us publishing the fact in June.The local democracy reporting service revealed how 11 patients with coronavirus were discharged from Ayrshire hospitals to the care homes between March 10 and May 19. Cabinet secretary for health Jeane Freeman, who represents Carrick, Cumnock

hospitality premises will be able open across the central belt during the day under changes announced by Nicola Sturgeon.The controversial definition of a cafe is being removed by the Scottish Government, after a backlash, meaning all premises can operate in the day up to 6pm without selling alcohol.At level 2, which currently covers the rest of Scotland, hospitality premises can sell alcohol indoors with a main meal up to 8pm instead of 6pm, allowing scope for evening meals.Hotels and other

botched handling of allegations against Alex Salmond was the result of "incompetence and secrecy", an MSP has claimed. Jackie Baillie, a member of the committee investigating why ministers ultimately lost a judicial review to the former SNP leader, said newly published documents revealed the process was flawed months before its conclusion.

Alex Salmond.A Holyrood vote will take place next week and all the opposition parties are supporting calls for the advice to be released.A special Holyrood committee is examining how the Government investigated complaints of sexual harassment against Salmond.The former SNP leader challenged the Government in court and it was agreed the probe had been unlawful.The fiasco destroyed the relationship between Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon and cost the taxpayer over £500,000.A key issue is that the