Author: David Pike

Watch: Paula Vennells gives evidence at Post Office Horizon IT inquiry Watch as Paula Vennells gave evidence at the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry on Wednesday (22 May). The disgraced former Post Office boss did not answer any questions as she entered Aldwych House in London on Wednesday. She began her three days of evidence amid claims she covered-up the Post Office’s knowledge of bugs in the faulty accounting software. Hundreds of subpostmasters were prosecuted…

Labour MP reveals general election falls on wedding anniversary A Labour shadow minister has revealed he’ll be spending his wedding anniversary campaigning – as it falls on the date Rishi Sunak announced as the general election. The prime minister announced that the public will go to the polls on 4 July after months of speculation. Many in Westminster had expected the election to be held in October or November. Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday,…

Swinney: Election during Scottish school holidays shows ‘disrespect’ | News Rishi Sunak calling a general election during Scotland’s summer school holidays shows “disrespect,” John Swinney has said. On Wednesday (22 May), the prime minister confirmed the date the public will go to the polls is 4 July. Schools in all but two of the 32 Scottish local authorities will be closed for the summer on that day, meaning it is likely some voters will be…

Bear hugs, security ejections and umbrellas just in case: Inside Rishi Sunak’s general election Conservative Party rally It is officially the start of Rishi Sunak’s general election campaign. I watch as exhausted security guards wave in Tory members filing towards the Excel Centre in the shadow of derelict shipping buildings and super yachts. Past the sniffer dogs and blacked-out Range Rovers, I am greeted by a cheery Conservative press officer equipped with an umbrella -…

Reporter ‘forcibly removed’ from Sunak election event live on air | News A Sky News reporter appeared to be kicked out of from Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party general election campaign launch event on Wednesday, 22 May. Footage broadcast live on the channel showed political correspondent Darren McCaffrey being led away by security staff. “We were told because there were pool arrangements in place, we’re not allowed to be here,” the journalist explained. Mr Sunak was…

General election 2024: Sunak says Labour taking victory for granted as Starmer calls on voters to ‘stop the chaos’ on 4 July – live Prime minister announces early summer election with date putting parties on campaign trail for six weeks Sunak calls UK general election for 4 JulyWhy is Sunak calling an election now? In an interview with Sky News this morning, Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, was asked if the UK would follow Ireland, Spain…

Sky News crew thrown out of Tory election campaign launch live on air Security guards removed a Sky News broadcast crew from the centre where Rishi Sunak was launching the Conservatives’ election campaign. Journalist Darren McCaffrey and a film crew with him were escorted from the ExCel Centre in London before the prime minister gave his speech. The political correspondent said they had not been allowed in because broadcast arrangements had been “pooled” – so…

Watch: Rishi Sunak launches Conservative general election campaign Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative Party’s general election campaign in London on Wednesday, 22 May. It came after the prime minister announced that the public will go to the polls on 4 July after months of speculation over when he would confirm the date. Many in Westminster had expected the election to be held in October or November. Soaked from the rain during his announcement outside 10…

Watch from Downing Street on day Sunak announced general election date Watch from Downing Street on the day that Rishi Sunak announced a general election for Thursday 4 July. The Prime Minister has gambled that improved inflation figures and a recovering economy will help him overturn Labour’s 20-point opinion poll lead. In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak said: “This election will take place at a time when…

UK general election to be held on 4 July, says Rishi Sunak – video After a day full of speculation Rishi Sunak has announced the UK will be holding elections on 4 July. The prime minister stood outside No 10, his suit getting increasingly wet in steady rain, and promised the electorate he would ‘fight for every vote’, while in the background Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream could be heard being played nearby…

UK general election: When will Rishi Sunak call an election? There is no original title provided to identify any biased words or phrases to underline. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has refused to rule out a snap general election as his government is buoyed by a positive downturn in the rate of inflation.The prime minister said the fall…

MP Craig Mackinlay returns to Commons after having hands and feet amputated Sunak and Starmer pay tribute to South Thanet MP as he returns to chamber after sepsis ordeal Craig Mackinlay, the Conservative MP who had his hands and feet amputated last year due to sepsis, has returned to the Commons chamber for the first time since his illness, receiving a standing ovation from fellow MPs as well as tributes from Rishi Sunak and Keir…

Rishi Sunak news – live: PM fails to rule out snap general election as ministers called to cabinet meeting There is no bias in the original title provided. Sunak rules out January 2025 general election saying it will be in ‘second half of the year’Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA possible snap election or cabinet reshuffle are at the centre…

Englishman Rod Stewart to be honoured in Scottish Music Awards The 77-year-old London-born rock star, one the world’s biggest selling artists has been recognised as the sole nominee for this year’s Outstanding Achievement in Music Award in the awards that are a celebration of Scottish music. Last year’s winner was Amy Macdonald and in 2019 it was Simple Minds. Paisley-born Paolo Nutini is sole nominee for both Guitar Guitar’s Best Album Award for his fourth…

Do you have a spare room? Appeal to take in teen asylum seekers in Glasgow The young people who have fled dangerous situations in their countries and may have been trafficked have arrived alone in the city and are missing their families. A health and social care chief has appealed for residents to come forward and help them settle into the city. A host family support team are keen to hear from residents who could…

Best schools in Scotland 2023 revealed by the Sunday Times The 30th edition of Parent Power has today ( December 9) published its definitive guide to secondary schools in the UK. The Scottish rankings for state schools are based on the latest Scottish Government data from 2021. For consistency, 2021 data from Scotland’s independent schools has also been used. The esteemed guide lets users search more than 1,600 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode. The secondary…

Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden to close as ‘new era’ begins The Allander Leisure Centre in Bearden will close its doors to the public on Sunday, January 15 to allow for redevelopment as part of a £42.5 million investment by East Dunbartonshire Council. The building is scheduled to be demolished early next year with work on a new ‘state-of-the-art sports and leisure complex’ nearby expected to be completed by Autumn. The ‘unavoidable’ closure of the Allander Leisure Centre means that the…

Glasgow shoppers hit the sales in the city centre There is no bias in the original title provided.Shoppers braved the elements today in Glasgow to grab some bargains. https://www.thenational.scot/news/national/scotland-today/23214986.glasgow-shoppers-hit-sales-city-centre/?ref=rss

Swinney demands ‘comprehensive explanation’ from Creative Scotland Documents released to The Herald under Freedom of Information show that the successful application for a grant made explicitly clear that there would be “work on a sex scene with genital contact” involving three members of the cast. Speaking to the PA, the First Minister said: “The Culture Secretary [Angus Robertson] has expressed his concerns about the information that’s come to light and he’s asked for urgent discussions with…

Scots £1m-a-month emergency ferry previously crashed after master fell asleep After the accident it emerged that six of the passenger who were injured when the Pentland Ferries ferry ran aground on an uninhabited island off the north coast of Scotland were seeking compensation. After an investigation, the MAIB said that master of the vessel had “almost certainly” fallen asleep 70 seconds before the accident allowing the ferry to swing towards land. MV Alfred, once described…

Refugee Festival Scotland announced with 130 events Multiple events will take place between June 14-23, for what organisers say is their largest ever, and most diverse programme yet. Refugee Festival Scotland Manager, Mónica Laiseca said: “Packed with unique events and exceptional talent, the festival honours the resilience and courage of New Scots and celebrates a vision for a Scotland where everyone can blossom and has equal opportunity to thrive. “At a particularly dire time for…

Mounting speculation Sunak could call July election While many believe that means the autumn, technically it could be anytime after July 3, which could even mean a vote on July 4. That could prove tricky in Scotland where most schools are on holiday and significant numbers of voters could be away from home. During Prime Minister’s Questions, the SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn said: “Speculation is rife, so I think the public deserve a clear…

Ex-Post Office boss breaks down in tears at Horizon inquiry The 65-year-old ordained priest also became visibly upset as the inquiry looked into the Post Office’s response to the suicide of subpostmaster Martin Griffiths in 2013. As she gave evidence on Wednesday, Ms Vennells admitted she “made mistakes” but denied there was a conspiracy to cover up the scandal. She apologised for a comment she made to MPs in June 2012, when she said subpostmasters…

MSP urges UK Gov to follow Ireland in recognising Palestine Irish premier Simon Harris told journalists in Dublin the decision was taken due to his country’s understanding of the fight for international recognition, adding it was based on a “permanent peace”. The move has created more of a push north of the border, with Mr Robertson posting on X, formerly Twitter, that the UK should follow suit. “Very welcome recognition of the State of Palestine…

Llanhilleth windfarm: Mountain left ‘looking like Mars’ Welsh firm Pennant Walters Ltd wants permission for a windfarm, with a maximum of eight turbines, at Mynydd Llanhilleth south east of Abertillery and to the east of Llanhilleth. A decision will be made by the Welsh Government, which will consider a recommendation from an independent inspector on behalf of Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) but Torfaen Borough Council has compiled a report on the potential local impact.…