Scotland's top civil servant challenged over lack of ethnic minority staff in the Government

coronavirus among Scotland’s minority ethnic population. The STUC Black Workers’ Committee wrote to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying the work is a “matter of urgency” and already lags behind England.

Police Scotland was an “epiphany” in his career as he spoke in the wake of riots sparked by the death of George Floyd.Chitwood said he had been heavily influenced by a trip to Scotland in 2015 where he was trained in techniques aimed at reducing the use of force and firearms.He was one of dozens of US law enforcement officials who spent several days at Tulliallan, Police Scotland’s training centre and headquarters near Stirling.He said: “It was an epiphany to sit there and watch.

Wishaw MP Marion Fellows has this week called for the Scottish Government to include the teaching of Scotland’s colonial past, and historical and present race relations, in the Scottish curriculum to help tackle racism.Mrs Fellows, a former college lecturer, made calls in line with letters from constituents to support the Black Lives Matter movement and for Scotland’s curriculum to be updated.She wants young people to be educated on Scotland’s exploitation and enslavement of Black and Minority

Mixed sex couples in Scotland will be allowed to enter into civil partnerships "as soon as possible" after a new law was passed at the Scottish Parliament. Cabinet secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville made the pledge as Holyrood passed legislation making the change.

lockdown - and urged victims to come forward. People being stuck indoors, with internet use surging, is proving the perfect recipe for sharing sexual images of people without their consent, warns ACC Duncan Sloan of Major Crime and Public Protection.

Loch Ness Monster.Steve Challice, from Southampton, was on holiday in Scotland in September with his brother last year, when they decided to visit Urquhart Castle on the banks of the famous loch.Spotting the chance to get away from the majority of the other tourists who had just arrived in a couple of coaches, Steve explained that he initially photographing the opposite shore when he saw a "sort of ripple in the water".Adding that at first he spotted what he assumed at the time was some sort of

anti-racism protest in Glasgow after a series of volatile mass gatherings. The Glasgow Says No To Racism event is due to begin at 10.30am despite shameful scenes over the last week where peaceful protests have been disrupted.

Almost 14,000 jobs have been furloughed in East Ayrshire as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.Figures made available reveal the impact of COVID-19 on the back of the country being locked down on Monday, March 23 in a bid to combat the deadly disease – with Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s programmes preventing jobs being axed.A total of 13,700 employments have been furloughed as part of the job retention scheme (JRS) in East Ayrshire.Meanwhile, 3500 claims have been made through the

Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina McKelvie has promised to do everything she can to fight inequality among black and other minority ethnic people in Scotland.The Equalities Minister said the Scottish Government has taken steps to tackle racism but “we need to make much greater progress”.She spoke in the Scottish Parliament last week as the world continued to react to the death of George Floyd who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when a police officer pressed down on his neck.Ms

Dumfries whippet Olly has been voted Scotland’s top lockdown dog after becoming the “face” of a Covid-19 appeal in the region.Olly, who will be one next week, received more than a quarter of the votes in the competition run by the Daily Record and Butchers.He has earned a place in the grand final this weekend to find Britain’s ultimate Lockdown Dog Hero.Delighted owner Lee Herron said: “I am over the moon that he has won and really grateful to everyone that voted for him.

But since the Covid-19 lockdown, monthly meetings have been replaced by weekly Zoom chats, and specialist online sessions with exercise, including seated Tai Chi and relaxation, nutrition and other activities.

Dumfries and Galloway residents have the chance to see the council in action tomorrow when a top level meeting will be screened online.

Covid-19 and ethnic minorities.A full picture of the impact on people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities (BAME) is still not available.A review by Public Health England found the risk of dying among those diagnosed with Covid-19 was higher in BAME groups.The Office of National Statistics also revealed in May that black people are four times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people south of the border.However, comparisons with Scotland are difficult as the data is more

Scottish Government has its "head in the clouds" over plans for staff to return to work at schools across the country, a union has claimed. The GMB - which represents support workers like cleaners and caterers - said that guidance issued by ministers "poses more questions than answers".

Covid-19, despite repeated calls for such a programme to begin. Jeane Freeman said discussions were under way about testing staff in some areas of hospitals as the NHS resumes some non-Covid treatments.

Madeleine McCann’s disappearance have received almost 400 tip-offs after sex fiend Christian Brueckner was named as a suspect. Officers at Scotland Yard have received numerous emails and phone calls relating to the paedophile as part of Operation Grange.

Ayrshire is continuing to slow down, new figures show.

Ministers have been criticised after it emerged a sick pay fund for social care staff had not been established yet.