Scottish Greens aiming for record number of MSPs at 2021 Holyrood election

bullying" scandal.He infuriated party colleagues north of the border by claiming this week devolution had been a disaster.It left Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross scrambling to undo the damage on the eve of a set-piece speech to activists.And it was seen as a gift to the SNP already riding high in the polls and hoping to push up support for independence.Meanwhile Conservatives have been rocked by setbacks including:Johnson blundered when he was caught out slamming devolution despite Tory

national rules to tackle coronavirus. Party leader Douglas Ross, the MP for Moray, said it was disappointing."I appreciate that he is only doing what he feels is best for his local area," Ross said.The vote was on travel rules brought in as part of the move to more strict levels of lockdown in parts of Scotland centred on Glasgow.Mundell's area borders England and is in a lower level or restriction.

Scottish independence is "highly sophisticated", the SNP's economics guru has insisted. Andrew Wilson, who wrote a controversial report on the costs of splitting from the UK, said Scotland could no longer afford to remain in the UK.

prison sentences for thugs who assault emergency workers. Criminals who attack police officers and nurses could get jailed for up to two years if the plans are backed by MSPs.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.THE Scottish Government’s decision to plug the shortfall in school milk funding left by Brexit has been praised by Airdrie MP Neil Gray.Children and young people in Monklands will now be able to continue to access subsidised milk in schools, despite the EU ceasing to provide local authorities with provision subsidy.Ministers had pressed the UK Government to make up the shortfall, but to date no such

Scottish Government has published a list of essential businesses that will be allowed to remain open under level four restrictions. Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that 11 local authority areas in central and western parts of Scotland will move into the highest tier later this week.

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.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The outstanding efforts of residents, workers, community groups, businesses and volunteers have been recognised in a Scottish Government-backed national initiative.Getting Better Together, Paul’s Parcels and Salvation Army, all based in Shotts, were all highly commended in Scotland Loves Local’s High Street Heroes awards.The Scotland Loves Local campaign is designed to encourage more people to support the

Nicola Sturgeon confirms further covid restrictions on Tuesday afternoon.These areas are likely to be Glasgow council area, the three Ayrshire councils, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, West and East Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire and Stirling and possibly Inverclyde, according to leaked documents.There will no official confirmation on which areas go into the tightest level until Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the Scottish parliament later today after her Cabinet make a final decision

Nicola Sturgeon confirms further covid restrictions on Tuesday afternoon.These areas are likely to be Glasgow council area, the three Ayrshire councils, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, West and East Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire and Stirling and possibly Inverclyde, according to leaked documents.There will no official confirmation on which areas go into the tightest level until Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the Scottish parliament this afternoon.A further 717 people across

independence referendum “must” take place next year. The First Minister said she would not be “diverted” from her daily covid briefing and said her thoughts on indyref2 will be set out in the SNP’s Holyrood manifesto.

Scottish independence could take place in spring 2022, a former Yes campaign chief has predicted. Blair Jenkins said the on-going fight against coronavirus meant it was unlikely that a major vote on the constitution could take place next year - despite a pledge from SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who said his party must plan for a plebiscite in 2021.

Richard Leonard has suffered a blow over his plans for guaranteeing women the top candidate slots for Holyrood. The party’s governing body yesterday supported legal advice which warned the proposals would be unlawful.Leonard’s party has been split over the best way to ensure the next round of Labour MSPs reflects the diversity of society.Labour has a track record of using positive action to boost female representation and Leonard wanted to go further for this election.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard's plan for selecting more women and key workers as top Holyrood candidates has fallen foul of legal advice by the party.A leaked paper states that the proposals would be “unlawful” and pose a “risk of indirect discrimination”.An alternative has been produced for male MSPs to voluntarily give up their top slots on the regional Lists for a female colleague.A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: "We don't comment on internal information that has been

Tom Grater International Film ReporterScottish actor John Fraser has died at the age of 89 after a battle with cancer, his family has said.Richard E. Grant was among those to pay tribute to the Dambusters and El Cid actor today, posting on twitter:My friend John Fraser has died at 89.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A battle between two councillors to become the SNP's parliamentary candidate for Renfrewshire North and West next year is set to go on for another two weeks after the initial vote ended in an historic tie.In what is understood to be a first in the party's history, an equal number of members got behind Michelle Campbell and Natalie Don as they fought for the right to represent the nationalists in the Holyrood