SNP MP Drew Hendry reveals he has become a surprise grandfather during lockdown

SNP MSP has opened up a major rift in the nationalist movement by saying he will help launch a new independence party.Dave Thompson will quit the party after 55 years to help launch a new pro-independence outfit for the Holyrood election in 2021.The SNP veteran predicted the “Alliance for Independence” (AFI) could win up to 24 seats next year.He revealed the slogan would be “max the Yes” and added: “Just imagine 20 Margo MacDonalds in the parliament?”Get all the top Scottish politics news sent

Join thousands of others who have signed up for the Daily Record newsletter.The number of operations carried out in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) dropped by more than 12,000 during lockdown, figures have revealed.Recent statistics from ISD Scotland show between March and May this year, 4,998 scheduled elective operations took place, compared to 17,314 in the same period last year.Now MSP Maurice Golden has called on the Scottish Government to outline plans to deal with a backlog of

antibody figures. Nicola Sturgeon’s administration said that 4,431 such tests had been completed, but the UK Statistics Authority has claimed the figure cannot be verified.

independence option instead. Kenny MacAskill MP has backed the idea of a new pro-independence party claiming that voting SNP in both Holyrood’s constituency and regional list votes “just doesn’t work”.

pub has been blasted for allegedly saying it will refuse to serve SNP supporters when it reopens next week.  The Caledonian Bar in Forfar has come under fire for a supposed social media post, now deleted, saying there would be 'no admittance' to SNP members or voters when the doors opened again next Wednesday. The tweet also says those over 70 and care home workers will also be barred due to coronavirus fears.

school in August after lockdown.The Scottish Government is examining safety options which would keep classes or whole year groups apart.It follows similar proposals unveiled by the UK Government for schools south of the border.Education Secretary John Swinney originally suggested schooling would resume on a part-time basis on August 11th.However, the ‘blended learning’ model, under which kids would be educated at home and in the classroom, was ditched after a parental backlash.Get all the top

The SNP has called on Rishi Sunak to grant Holyrood greater borrowing powers to help boost Scotland's economic recovery following four long months of lockdown. Ian Blackford, the party's leader at Westminster, wants the UK Government to offer a a "cast-iron commitment" to the devolution of key financial powers at today's mini-Budget.

SNP Westminster Deputy Leader, following the decision of Kirsty Blackman to stand down. The member for East Renfrewshire will join Ian Blackford in leading the SNP team of 48 MPs at Westminster.

cocaine and ket’ for hillwalking during lockdown.Rhys Sinclair is celebrating 'no hangovers or comedowns' after deciding to ditch drugs, alcohol, and gambling while in quarantine.The 23-year-old from Leith in Edinburgh promised himself as a new year resolution to stop using drugs and continuing other addictive habits but struggled to stick with it.It wasn't until Rhys was forced into lockdown that he decided to take it seriously by using hillwalking as an escape.He added: “I made many excuses

tuition fees for “rich EU students”.

SNP’s deputy leader at Westminster has stood down after struggling with her mental health during lockdown.MP Kirsty Blackman said she had made the “difficult personal decision” as she needed to prioritise her constituency and family.Blackman was first elected as the MP for Aberdeen North in 2015 and has been re-elected twice.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.We cover Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, with a current

British institutions including the UK Parliament if Boris Johnson continues to block another independence referendum, a senior MP claimed. Pete Wishart said Scotland is at “tipping point” with polls suggesting majority support for leaving the UK.

Lewis Capaldi has admitted that life in lockdown has resulted in him gaining a stone in weight, leaving him feeling lethargic. The 'Someone You Loved' singer said he has witnessed his body go through a transformation in recent weeks after the world shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

stabbing attack in Glasgow.The Home Office was told the policy could not be a “long term” solution and did not have the support of the local council.UK Ministers were also warned about the “mounting anxiety” over the emotional, mental and physical well-being of asylum seekers in the city.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.We cover Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, with a current focus on how our governments are

heartwarming moment a Scots mum was reunited with her autistic son after 15 weeks apart. Julie Grant last saw Sean McGinley, 18, the weekend before the coronavirus lockdown came into force on March 23.

Scottish Labour figure has cautioned his party against embracing “hyper” Unionism.Ex MP Paul Sweeney called for Labour and the SNP to work together on more powers for Holyrood and oppose the “common enemy” of the Tories.He said Labour needed to be the voice for the “reconciliation” of the country.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.We cover Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, with a current focus on how our governments

SNP has sought legal advice on how to get more people from ethnic minorities elected to Holyrood.It comes amid criticism that only four MSPs in the history of the Scottish Parliament have been from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.At their last conference, SNP delegates agreed a motion recognising the progress made in increasing the number of women elected.However, it warned that BAME, disabled people and other minority communities continue to be under-represented at Holyrood.The motion

lockdown. Furious families were horrified to discover the community project in Salsburgh, North Lanarkshire, had been sprayed with grey paint at the weekend - just days after it was created.

SCOTTISH Women’s Aid has launched a new short animated film for young Monklands women who are experiencing domestic abuse during lockdown.The film was created in partnership with the organisation’s young expert group Yello! – and produced by Media Co-Op.The panel of children and teenagers have all experienced domestic abuse in their own lives and they were involved in every part of the creative process.The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that perpetrators of domestic abuse now have further