'Alex Salmond's allegations of a conspiracy within the Scottish Government are extraordinary'

Feb 24, 2021

Sam Shedden

Engagement Editor

Good morning,

Welcome to Wednesday's newsletter from The Scotsman.

We need your support. Our fact-checked, trusted news takes a lot of time to produce. If you find any value in what we do please consider taking out a digital subscription with us. Subscribers get unlimited access to all our exclusives, special offers, puzzles and much more.

Try us out today with no obligations from just £3 a month.

How do Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon's claims stack up against evidence?

Confused by what's going on in the wake of the Alex Salmond inquiry? We don't blame you, it does get a tad complicated.

Luckily our politics reporter Conor Matchett is on hand to pick through the evidence and tell you who is claiming what and what it all means.

How do Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon's claims stack up against evidence?

"Alex Salmond's allegations of a conspiracy are extraordinary"

Today, the former First Minister Alex Salmond was due to give evidence to the parliamentary inquiry investigating the Scottish government’s handling of harassment complaints against him.

At the last minute, following the intervention of the Crown Office forcing the Parliamentary authorities to redact part of his written submission, he decided to pull out of appearing in person.

In our opinion section today Murdo Fraser MSP asks: "How can we possibly trust the current government of corrupt liars with these most serious of tasks, when they have proven themselves so unfit to hold public office?"

Read his full column here

Is women's football an afterthought in Scotland?

"I don’t want to say we are a second thought, because I’ve questioned, at times, if we are even a thought”

As the Scottish Women’s Premier League continues to be paused, four leading lights of the Scottish women’s game speak out as they seek answers as to why they aren’t allowed to even train, whilst many in the men’s game play on and in some cases flout the rules.

Hear from top players and figures in the Scotland's womens football and how they feel forgotten

We're offering more FREE newsletters

In March we'll be offering three new newsletters. Like this one they'll be totally free.

Scotsman politics: The latest Scottish political news and analysis from our specialist writers direct to your inbox (twice a week)
Opinion: Expert analysis and agenda-setting opinion from our team of columnists with insight from our comment editor (once a week)
History and Heritage: Features on Scottish history, heritage news, nostalgia and archive picture galleries (once a week)

Thanks for reading, more headlines below,

Sam Shedden, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk


	Analysis: How do Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon's claims stack up against evidence?

	In explosive evidence, Alex Salmond claimed the existence of a conspiracy within the Scottish Government and the SNP to see him expelled from public life and potentially jailed.

Complaints about Edinburgh's winter festivals should be taken seriously but so should economic effects – Scotsman says

The news that Edinburgh council is to ask the people of Scotland’s capital to help shape future Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations will delight some, particularly critics who feel the events have grown too large and cause too much disruption to city centre life.

Argyll schoolboys save OAP’s life thanks to Heartstart project

Two primary school pupils who were trained in first aid by a Rotarian volunteer have saved the life of an OAP who collapsed while rushing out to buy a morning paper.

Promoted by West of Scotland Rotary

As a Salmond inquiry committee member, it's clear that this cesspit of vipers is not fit for government – Murdo Fraser

Today, the former First Minister Alex Salmond was due to give evidence to the parliamentary inquiry investigating the Scottish government’s handling of harassment complaints against him. At the last minute, following the intervention of the Crown Office forcing the Parliamentary authorities to redact part of his written submission, he decided to pull out of appearing in person. It would have been an explosive session.

The Scotsman Sessions #189: Mogwai

Welcome to the award-winning Scotsman Sessions. With performing arts activity curtailed for the foreseeable future, we are commissioning a series of short video performances from artists all around the country and releasing them on scotsman.com, with introductions from our critics. Here, Mogwai perform Supposedly, We Were Nightmares from their new album As the Love Continues

Covid outbreak forces closure of LNER caterer Rail Gourmet's Edinburgh base

A Covid outbreak has triggered the closure of the Edinburgh base of Rail Gourmet, which supplies catering to east coast train operator LNER.

'It's a miracle' - 'premature baby in Scotland born weighing 1lb finally discharged from hospital

A baby born weighing as little as a 500g loaf of bread (1.1lb) has been able to go home with her parents after spending five months in hospital.

Man appears in court after teenager is allegedly raped in Glasgow park

A man has appeared in court after a teenager was allegedly raped in Glasgow.

'Never knew a place like it': Locals recall Waverley Steps, once Edinburgh's windiest spot

As winds of up to 70mph cause chaos across Edinburgh on Tuesday, we take a look back at what was once the city’s windiest spot.

A bottle of whisky dubbed the "Holy Grail of single malts" has fetched £1 million in a Scottish auction.

Neil Lennon: Who could replace Neil Lennon as manager?

Neil Lennon is on his way out of Celtic after defeat in Dingwall to Ross County.

Which Rangers players are in line for player of the year - and our choice right now

The Scottish Premiership trophy will soon be taking pride of place in the Ibrox trophy room as Rangers close in on their first major domestic honour in a decade.

Tiger Woods 'lucky to be alive' following LA car crash

Tiger Woods is “lucky to be alive” as he recovers from a lengthy surgery following his car crash in Los Angeles yesterday.

View more news