Nicola Sturgeon sidesteps Alex Salmond questions and is accused by Douglas Ross of 'clear-cut lie'

Ladywell, Livingston, has backed our campaign after figures released this week showed Scotland has worst death rate in the world, a figure up six per cent on the previous year. Statistics showed the total deaths rose from 1,187 in 2018 to 1,264 in 2019.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A tot dressed up as Nicola Sturgeon is the star of a  hysterical Christmas play about Santa and lockdown that’s going down a storm.One of the wee ones at the Rainbow Nursery, in Paisley,  dresses up just like the First Minister.Three-year-old Ella boldly announces: “You’ve been telt!”Ella wears a single colour royal blue outfit normally used by the kids for dressing up as Mary Poppins.T’was the Night Before

German news channel Welt, the First Minister said she remained hopeful the UK Government would secure a Brexit deal before December 31.

coronavirus deaths recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, according to official figures Nicola Sturgeon also revealed at First Minister's Question s this lunchtime that there were 858 new cases of Covid-19 record overnight, taking the total figure to 109,296.

SNP government’s unlawful handling of sexual misconduct allegations against Salmond.Two votes in parliament have been carried out in a bid to force the Scottish Government to hand over their advice.After refusing to hand over the advice the Scottish Government have now offered MSPs on the inquiry sight of the material.The botched probe, which cost the taxpayer over £500,000, destroyed the long-standing friendship between Nicola Sturgeon and Salmond.Allies of the former First Minister believe he

Michael Gove is joining day-two of crisis talks on the future of plans for up to three households to mix between December 23 and 27. The talks involve all devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.They broke up yesterday after the first summit ended without an agreement.

decision not to ease restrictions was unpopular but warned: "It would be like pouring petrol on smouldering embers." Sturgeon defended the decisions as public health officials and politicians prepare to set Scotland's 32 council area tiers for another week. The First Minister will announce what levels are being imposed during a statement at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon.Last week's review saw Glasgow and 10 neighbouring councils leave the highest level 4 curbs.

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will be given jabs at 23 sites across Scotland under the initial phase of a national programme which will eventually see millions of people protected against coronavirus. Among those who will be first in line for the vaccine is Andrew Mencnarowski, a senior staff nurse at the Western General in Edinburgh.

will be given jabs at 23 sites across Scotland under the initial phase of a national programme which will eventually see millions of people protected against coronavirus. Among those who will be first in line for the vaccine is Andrew Mencnarowski, a senior staff nurse at the Western General in Edinburgh.

Murdo Fraser claimed the First Minister had "pandered" to republicans in her own party. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station today as part of a whistle-stop tour of the UK, aimed at thanking frontline workers of the pandemic.

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Judith Mackinnon, a key figure in the Scottish Government’s botched probe into the former first minister, said police involvement had not been the “intention” of the complainants initially. A Holyrood committee is investigating how in 2018 the SNP Government handled complaints of sexual misconduct against Salmond when he was First Minister.

the crisis. She said the right to leaving the UK is "inalienable" and taunted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to block another pro-independence majority at Holyrood.

festive tradition is the latest in line to fall victim to strict public health rules which already banned Halloween guising and bonfire night gatherings. The Scottish Government has not finalised the rules but carol singing is being reviewed along with other traditions, including popular Santa's grottos for children.Nicola Sturgeon said work is under way shortly after a Boris Johnson spokesman said permission was granted in England.

referendum. Before the first speeches, Sturgeon said she has "never been so certain" Scotland will achieve independence.

First Minister spoke ahead of her party’s annual conference today by telling members she has “never been so certain” the country will achieve independence.Her party is riding high in opinion polls and is widely tipped to win a majority of MSPs at next year's Holyrood election.That could set off a constitutional showdown with Westminster as the SNP uses its mandate to demand an IndyRef2 takes place.While Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not allow another referendum on

post-Brexit paperwork for fish products.