Richard Leonard slams Scottish Labour Party critics over 'despicable' plot to oust him

campus lockdowns across Scotland, Richard Leonard has warned. The Scottish Labour leader criticised ministers at Holyrood and Westminster for failing to heed expert advice on the risks posed by undergraduates returning en masse to halls of residence this month.

Scottish Greens for the controversial Mossmorran plant to close and insisted the site has a future despite years of complaints from those who live close by.The GMB said it was "staggering" any politician would want the giant chemical complex to wind-down operations at a time of rising unemployment caused by the global pandemic.In a frank letter sent to its members at Mossmorran last week, the union insisted that much talked-about promises of a transition to a more green economy in Scotland could

Richard Leonard is backing a move to starve rogue employers of coronavirus financial aid.The MSP has launched a campaign with former shadow chancellor John McDonnell to punish those who abuse workers through zero-hour contracts, avoid tax and pollute the environment.In his first Commons intervention since returning to the back benches, McDonnell will present a Bill at Westminster on Wednesday to set up a Good Business Commission.Leonard, who will lodge a motion at Holyrood to promote the Bill,

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterA record one-day rise of 486 new coronavirus cases in Scotland has been confirmed as fresh lockdown restrictions kick into action.Across Scotland, a total of 25,495 positive tests have been recorded since the end of February from 738,733 tests carried out.Reflecting on the rise in positive tests over the last 24 hours, which has seen a ban on household gatherings introduced across all of Scotland,

pandemic in late March.

Keir Starmer and Scottish leader Richard Leonard to back urgent drugs law reforms to save lives.The Labour Campaign for Drug Policy Reform (LCDPR), backed by 16 MPs and 4 MSPs, yesterday launched its drugs manifesto, which broadly back the reforms the Daily Record has been demanding.Many MPs are understood to be frustrated and angry at the Labour leadership’s slowness in getting behind plans to treat drug addiction as a health rather than a crime issue.The LCDPR calls for the Parliamentary

Ibrox backline has yet to concede a league goal in seven outings – breaking a 114-year-old Scottish record – ahead of today’s trip to face Hibs at Easter Road.Gerrard says his coaching staff and players must share the credit.But the former Liverpool hero insists his squad can still improve in terms of being hard to break down –
something he learned from the likes of Rafa Benitez, Gerard Houllier and Roy Hodgson at Anfield.He said: “I’ve got nothing but admiration for Rafa but I’ve tried to lean

Scottish Labour to move on from recent divisions by urging colleagues to “pull together”. He backed Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard and also praised an MP who had considered quitting the party last year.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.RICHARD Leonard has appealed for an extension to the government’s job retention scheme.The Central Scotland MSP says this would be “good for people, jobs and the economy”.More than 42,000 workers across North Lanarkshire have benefited from the scheme, which is due to close at the end of next month.Scottish Labour leader Mr Leonard said: “It is crucial that the scheme is maintained to help save jobs and keep

Nicola Sturgeon, has warned Scots of a “despicable” new phone scam involving callers pretending to be working for Test and Protect before asking for people’s payment details. During the daily lunchtime media briefing, the First Minister said scammers are attempting to con people by claiming that payment is needed for a coronavirus test to be accessed.

scammers trying to trick Scots into paying for Covid contact tracing.The cruel con involves criminals claiming to be a member of the NHS Test and Protect service.The Record reported last week how fraudsters were telling people they’d been in close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has been submitted for a crunch meeting of the party's governing body tomorrow.The Daily Record understands it has been signed by around one third of members on Scottish Executive Committee (SEC).Leonard is under pressure to resign over poor election results and dismal opinion poll ratings.Four Labour MSPs and peers have publicly called for the left winger to quit, but he has refused and hit out at his critics.The leader’s defenders believe the trouble is

rebel MSPs by replacing them with female key workers.  Leonard said he wants more working-class women in the Scottish Parliament and hopes to put frontline staff like carers and nurses at the top of the party’s regional lists.  Speaking to the Daily Record, Leonard denied the move is intended to punish plotters demanding he stand down.

Richard Leonard has said the row over whether a leadership challenge can be mounted against the embattled Scottish Labour leader could end up in the courts.MSP Daniel Johnson, who has urged Leonard to stand down, said the view that Holyrood colleagues cannot trigger a contest is legally challengeable.Leonard is fighting to hold on to his job after a mutiny by MSP colleagues.Johnson, James Kelly, Jenny Marra and Mark Griffin have all called on the left-winger to quit, as have four party peers.As

Richard Leonard say they have the numbers required for a leadership challenge against him.MSPs James Kelly and Daniel Johnson claim to have the five signatures necessary for a contest, but they have demanded clarity amid disagreement on the rules.Leonard, who has been in post for nearly three years, is under pressure over terrible election results and dismal opinion polls.Four MSPs - Kelly, Johnson, Jenny Marra and Mark Griffin - have all called on him to quit, as have four party peers.His

MSP Ms McAlpine, who has raised the issues with health secretary Jeane Freeman, said: “I believe that we have a responsibility to help children who have been left requiring considerable support for the rest of their lives.“Ms Freeman has reassured me that the Scottish Government is giving careful consideration to all the recommendations in the report and will be consulting with all the patient groups before responding with their plans.

Richard Leonard’s accent - by her own party. Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland in the north of England, has been criticised for a tweet blaming the leader of Scottish Labour’s accent as the reason for the party’s decline.

Richard Leonard has doubled down on his vow to stay as Labour leader into the Scottish elections despite a volley of calls from colleagues to step down. The beleaguered Scottish Labour leader began what is expected to be a week of fightback interviews this week with an early morning appearance on Sky News.

Richard Leonard to stand down, piling pressure on the embattled party leader.Peers Helen Liddell, ex Defence Secretary George Robertson and Meta Ramsay have urged Leonard to step down.They were joined by fellow Labour peer George Foulkes, but the former MP and MSP is already on the record calling for Leonard to resign.Leonard, leader for nearly three years, is fighting for his political life over terrible election results and dismal opinion polls.In recent days, four of his own MSPs - James