Nicola Sturgeon has challenged whoever becomes the new Tory Prime Minister to come and debate their case against independence “any place, any time”.
30.07.2022 - 07:03 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to reaffirm Scotland's support for abortion rights to the UK Government after Tory ministers were accused of causing a diplomatic spat over the issue.
The Foreign Office has faced growing pressure in recent days after commitments to sexual health rights were removed from a multi-country statement on gender equality.
Labour MSP Katy Clark has written to the First Minister to ask her to raise the issue with the UK Government "at the earliest opportunity".
A diplomatic row broke out after 20 countries signed a statement following a UK-hosted conference on freedom of religion earlier this month.
The original version included a commitment to repeal laws that “allow harmful practices, or restrict women’s and girls’ … sexual and reproductive health and rights, bodily autonomy”.
But those phrases were removed from a later version of the international pact - prompting outrage from pro-choice campaigners and politicians.
In her letter to the First Minister, Clark said: "The removal of such key commitments at a time when access to abortion worldwide is under serious threat following the reversal of Roe v Wade is alarming.
"In Scotland, as you are aware, we are experiencing unprecedented levels of harassment of women attending sexual health clinics.
"In this climate we cannot leave this revision of the original Policy Paper unchallenged.
"I understand that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has given the reason for the revisions as avoiding ambiguity in the original document.
"There is nothing ambiguous in committing to women’s rights to control over their own bodies and health.
"I hope you will be able to raise this matter with the UK government at the earliest opportunity."
Sturgeon and her
Nicola Sturgeon has challenged whoever becomes the new Tory Prime Minister to come and debate their case against independence “any place, any time”.
Nicola Sturgeon has condemned the abuse aimed at a BBC journalist before a Tory hustings in Perth as "disgraceful".
Fans noticed Brooklyn Beckham voicing different accents as he appeared in an interview recently. The 23 year old was seen in a video shared on Instagram discussing what he likes to cook for his wife Nicola Peltz, 27, when followers picked up on his changing dialects.
BBC drama Marriage carried high expectations from viewers as it explored the ins and outs of married life. Many viewers were left disappointed after watching the first episode on Sunday, August, 14 - despite it starring two of the UK's finest actors. The drama follows married couple Ian (Sean Bean) and Emma (Nicola Walker) as they negotiate the ups and downs of their 30-year marriage.
Sean Bean and Nicola Walker, two surefire indicators of good-quality British TV, are married couple Ian and Emma. We meet them as they wait at the airport for their flight home, after a holiday in Spain. The first real line of dialogue is “I had to pay for the ketchup”, and they bicker over whether Emma should have asked the man at the cafe if he would make a jacket potato for Ian, despite it looking as if they only sold chips.
Alan Cumming is currently performing his one man show about legendary bard Robert Burns, and had a very special guest in the audience this week.
Incredible images of the last Supermoon of 2022 have been captured overnight. The rare lunar phenomenon occurs when there is a full moon while it is also at its closest point to the Earth in its orbit.
Brooklyn Beckham has opened up about his reality show dreams to showcase his life with wife Nicola Peltz.
Nicola Sturgeon has described the events on Skye and Lochalsh where a person was killed and three were hospitalised following a series of attacks as "horrific and devastating".
The moon passes through 12 cycles throughout the year, one of which is the Sturgeon Moon in August. Tonight’s full moon will also be a supermoon, a bigger and brighter moon that is visually stunning.
Variety magazine. The eldest Beckham child told the outlet: "We had this idea — we kind of combined our last names. I was just like, oh, we could start a new thing, and it’ll be so cool to have our own kids and have little Peltz Beckhams running around.
No in-law drama in sight. Nicola Peltz Beckham has been honest about her relationship with mother-in-law Victoria Beckham, despite rumors that the pair don’t get along.
The UK Government has submitted its full written statement to the Supreme Court arguing against the Scottish Parliament holding another independence referendum. Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain was asked by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to refer the Bill to judges in London to decide if Holyrood has the power to hold a referendum without the consent of Westminster.
Activists have stormed the Scottish Power headquarters in Glasgow in protest against soaring energy prices. Tens of people marched from Gordon Street to the head office building on St Vincent Street in the city centre this afternoon, to condemn the hike which comes amid the cost of living crisis.
Kate Forbes has given birth to a baby girl.
The Scottish Government will host a second summit on buffer zones around abortion clinics later this month. Nicola Sturgeon chaired the first event at the end of June, describing it as “constructive and helpful”.