Scottish independence referendum could take place next year, says former Yes campaign chief

the Union. A parliament was eventually established in Edinburgh in 1999 and now consecutive opinion polls find independence to be in the lead.Boris Johnson has vowed another referendum will not take place and last month described devolution as "a disaster" for UK unity.

Sadiq Khan and Manchester leader Andy Burnham - have written to Boris Johnson to demand he looks again the constitutional status quo. The letter warns there is worrying evidence that a growing number of Scots are "losing faith" in the union.

Highers have been cancelled next year following an announcement by the Scottish Government.John Swinney informed MSPs that a new model will be adopted for pupils based on teacher judgement.National 5 exams due to take place next year have already been cancelled, and Swinney has been under pressure to make the same decision on Higher and Advanced Highers.He previously said the impact of coronavirus-related disruption on school pupils in deprived areas weighed "heavily” on whether Higher exams

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterHigher exams will be cancelled in Scotland next year, the Government has announced.Education Secretary John Swinney today told MSPs that "teacher judgement" will be used as part of a new model to form grades.National 5 exams due to take place next year have already been cancelled.Mr Swinney said in his statement there will be no Higher or Advanced Higher exams next year.Scottish Greens MSP Ross

prime minister predicted that Scots would vote to remain part the UK in another referendum but warned it would be a "hard battle" to keep the union together. Brown also described Boris Johnson as “completely out of touch” after the Prime Minister said Scottish devolution has been “a disaster”.

X-men star James McAvoy and Outlander celebrity Sam Heughan have shown their support for a Clydebank- based charity’s annual #CheckYerBawballs campaign to raise awareness for testicular cancer. The Scottish stars took to social media to raise support for the campaign which is run by the Clydebank-based testicular cancer charity, Cahonas, throughout December.

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.

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

indyref2 should take place in 2021 if it is “safe” and claimed Boris Johnson would not block another vote.However, in an interview with the Daily Record, he declined to be drawn on the broken relationship between Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.He also refused to say whether he would campaign alongside the former SNP leader if there was a referendum.The SNP’s virtual conference starts today amid calls by senior party figures for another vote on Scotland’s constitutional future.Indyref2 will be central

vote on the constitution. With the Nationalists currently soaring in the polls it means Boris Johnson could face huge pressure to allow an IndyRef2 to take place in the coming years - despite repeatedly saying he would not.

Michelle Ballantyne said she no longer felt like she fitted within the Tory group at Holyrood and would now sit as an independent list MSP for the south of Scotland.

The Great British Bake Off. Producers are urging people north of the border to get involved in the next series after the show's youngest ever contestants proved to be one of its biggest hits.

Jeane Freeman said today the vaccine would not be made be made compulsory for Scots but added ministers would actively work to reassure the public the simple procedure was entirely safe. There has been concern among health chiefs around the world over the impact of online disinformation which makes false claims over vaccinations.

made six years ago outside Crathie Kirk - the church nearest Balmoral - when she told a member of the public that she hoped Scots would "think very carefully about the future". It came just one week after a bombshell poll found support for Scottish independence had edged ahead of those backing the Union for the first time.

Perth and Kinross are being asked to have their say on next year’s council budget.

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.

straight to your inboxAll 24 nations to participate in next summer’s European Championships have now been confirmed following last week’s playoffs.Scotland, Hungary, Slovakia and North Macedonia joined those previously qualified for the tournament and now there is confirmation on all the groups and fixtures for the tournament.As is always the case, Manchester City fans will be keeping a keen eye on the finals to not only watch their team’s stars in the tournament but also to gauge potential

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The Conservative party has chosen a candidate to contest Derek Mackay's seat in next year's Scottish Parliament election.Julie Pirone - who stood at last year's general election in Paisley and Renfrewshire North - will look to turn the Renfrewshire North and West seat blue when voters go to the polls next May.Since 2011, the seat has been held by former finance minister Mr Mackay, who was suspended by the

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.