Summary

  • The new test, trace and protect system will go live on Thursday, Nicola Sturgeon tells her daily briefing

  • The first minister says there is now a capacity to carry out more than 15,000 tests a day - a "scale not seen before in Scotland"

  • Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross resigns over Dominic Cummings row

  • Asked for her response to the resignation, Ms Sturgeon said "fair play" to Mr Ross who had taken the "principled" position

  • Minister Michael Matheson says passengers "should and are expected to wear face coverings" on public transport

  • BBC Scotland survey reveals Scots concerns about UK government lifting lockdown restrictions "too quickly"

  • Drone technology to be used to deliver protective equipment to a hospital on a Scottish island

  • A respite centre which has been helping the NHS with the pandemic is fighting for its financial future

  1. Coronavirus: Bangladeshi clothes boxes reach 60,000published at 11:30 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Angie Brown
    Edinburgh and East reporter

    BangladheshImage source, Sajida Foundation

    More than 60,000 clothes boxes have been sold to help thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers hit by cancelled orders during the coronavirus outbreak.

    Cally Russell, an Edinburgh businessman, said the country was left with mountains of unsold clothes in factories after UK retailers pulled out of their contracts.

    The 32-year-old has been selling the clothes in the UK at half price in boxes based on customer's preferences.

    The money will then go to help clothing workers who have lost their jobs.

    Mr Russell, who is the CEO of online clothing retailer platform Mallzee, only created the new venture called Lost Stock a few days ago.

    Please read more here

  2. First jury trials to resume in Julypublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    CourtImage source, SCTS

    The first jury trials in Scotland are set to resume in July.

    The High Court in Glasgow will trial a three-court solution, with the jury using the public gallery in the trial courtroom.

    There will be a two-court solution in Edinburgh, where the jury will work remotely from a separate courtroom.

    Lord Justice Clerk Lady Dorrian, who chaired the working group looking at the return of juries, said there was still "plenty of work" to do before this could happen.

    She added: "Nothing will take place until we have finalised the planning and can provide the assurance that it will be safe for all of those participating in the trial and that proceedings may be recommenced without significant risk to the administration of justice."

  3. Scottish secretary thanks Douglas Rosspublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

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  4. Fewer patients waiting for diagnostics tests or investigationpublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have been felt throughout the NHS, with significant reductions in the number of patients waiting for diagnostics tests or investigation.

    Figures just published, external show a 10% drop during March - the month lockdown was imposed.

    Public Health Scotland said the drop was largely driven by a decrease in the number of patients waiting for the key radiology tests - from 65,869 to 56,074 patients

  5. 'More nuanced approach needed' on patient visiting protocolspublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Mornings with Kaye Adams
    BBC Radio Scotland

    People dying without close relatives by their side has been "one of the most distressing elements of the pandemic", says Professor Helen Cheyne, Professor of Midwifery at Stirling University.

    "Guidance has been evolving, but at the start there was a no visitor rule in hospitals and care homes," said Professor Cheyne.

    "Being told to stay away is just the most heart-wrenching thing and it is difficult for nurses and doctors as well.

    "I was in intensive care myself last year and it is so important for family to be together. To call it visiting almost trivialises it - they are your advocates, they are your voice. They are looking out for you and making you real to the staff. It's more than a reassuring presence.

    "We should be talking about what is the risk and who is the risk to? We need to move to a more nuanced approach where people are able to make more informed decisions on the risk versus harm balance."

  6. Tory MSP praises Rosspublished at 11:07 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    A second Scottish Tory MSP has praised Douglas Ross for resigning his government post.

    Donald Cameron is the party's finance spokesperson at Holyrood.

    Fellow frontbrencher Adam Tomkins earlier called for Dominic Cummings to be sacked.

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  7. 'A lot of people are very angry with Dominic Cummings'published at 11:04 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    A woman whose parents died within 24 hours of each other has said Dominic Cummings is "adding to the grief’" of Scottish families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.

    Yvonne Sharp from Fife spoke to Monday's Drivetime with John Beattie programme as the PM's senior adviser gave his press conference at Downing Street.

    She said: “It’s one rule for one, and one for another. They think they are above everyone else and they’re not.

    "We are sticking by the rules, why should they not? Do they think they are better than us?”

    Vic and Maureen Sharp
    Image caption,

    Vic and Maureen Sharp had been together for 58 years

    She said her family had not been able to comfort each other since the death of her parents, Vic and Maureen, both 74, who had been married for 57 years.

    She added: "A lot of people are very angry. They are absolutely fuming at Dominic Cummings.

    “My oldest son couldn’t come through from Glasgow for his granny and granddad’s funeral, I can’t console my auntie or my sister."

  8. Chance for you to give your view about easing the lockdownpublished at 11:02 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

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  9. Doorstep photo diaries capture life in lockdownpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Mornings with Kaye Adams
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Caro Weiss Photo - InstagramImage source, Caro Weiss Photo - Instagram

    Caro Weiss was a busy Glasgow-based wedding photographer before lockdown. After a brief dip in business, she is now doing a roaring trade in doorstep photos.

    "It's just exploded," she tells BBC Radio Scotland. "The idea comes from America, taking socially distant shoots that capture how we are living now.

    "I have been focusing on the doorsteps, but they are all different and I'm loving being out there meeting all of these great people."

    You can check out more of Caro's photographs here.

  10. Analysis: Douglas Ross the referee calls foul playpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Glenn Campbell
    BBC Scotland Political Correspondent

    Douglas RossImage source, House of Commons

    Douglas Ross backed Boris Johnson for the Conservative leadership and his approach to Brexit and was rewarded with a job in government after the 2019 general election.

    His resignation comes as a surprise. But as well as being a politician, Mr Ross is also a qualified football referee who is in the habit of calling out foul play.

    As a junior minister, he doesn’t have the power to discipline a special adviser to the prime minister. But by quitting government himself - with the devastating analysis that he could not in good faith justify Mr Cummings’ behaviour to constituents who stayed away from sick and dying relatives - Mr Ross has heaped fresh pressure on Boris Johnson to sack him.

    His courage in taking a stand may also embolden other angry Conservatives to speak out too.

  11. Will more Tory MSPs call for Cummings to go?published at 10:49 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

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  12. Scotland Office minister resigns: Who is Douglas Ross?published at 10:46 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Mr Ross missed a House of Commons vote as he was officiating at a Barcelona match in the Champions LeagueImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Mr Ross missed a House of Commons vote as he was officiating at a Barcelona match in the Champions League

    Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross has quit the UK government over the Dominic Cummings row.

    Formerly a Moray councillor and member of the Scottish Parliament, Mr Ross became an MP in 2017 when he unseated the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson.

    He held the seat with a reduced majority in 2019, and entered government as a replacement for former colleague Colin Clark, who lost his seat.

    The 37-year-old is also a qualified football referee, and has acted as a linesman in a number of high profile fixtures including Scottish Cup finals and Champions League matches.

    However he stepped back from most footballing duties after controversy arose over him missing a vote in the House of Commons to run the line at a Barcelona match.

  13. Drone to deliver masks to Isle of Mull hospitalpublished at 10:43 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Skyports drone
    Image caption,

    The two-week trial will make use of a large delivery drones

    Drone technology is to be used to deliver protective equipment to a hospital on a Scottish island.

    Over the next two weeks, masks and a dummy cargo will be flown between Oban in mainland Argyll and the Isle of Mull.

    The 10-mile journey, normally involving a road trip and a 45-minute ferry sailing, should take only 15 minutes.

    The trial could pave the way for drones to be used in the transport of medical test samples and other supplies.

    The project, involving Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, drone delivery firm Skyports and Thales, has required special permission from the Civil Aviation Authority.

  14. Here's what else is happening in Scotland today...published at 10:32 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    • Nicola Sturgeon will outline the Test and Protect strategy at the 12.30pm briefing
    • The Scottish government will outline its Transport Transition Plan from 2.30pm
    • As Scotland prepares to ease its coronavirus lockdown from Friday, Scots have voiced concerns about the UK government's handling of the crisis and the risk of lifting restrictions "too quickly"
    • The Fife scientist leading the UK's largest tracking project has said that two major sporting events held in March "caused increased suffering and death"- the Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid
  15. Response from No 10 to Scotland Office minister resignationpublished at 10:27 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

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  16. Scotland Office minister resigns: Analysispublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Nick Eardley
    Political correspondent

    Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross resignsImage source, UK Parliament
    Image caption,

    Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross resigns

    Douglas Ross backed Boris Johnson to be Tory leader and is not one of those in the party seen as hostile to his style of government.

    So this resignation is a blow - and could point to wider discontent.

    There is a Scottish subplot - the Scottish Tories have been accused of hypocrisy for demanding Scotland's chief medical officer resign then staying quiet about Dominic Cummings.

    But Mr Ross's reasons for resigning are scathing.

    He says he cannot tell his constituents in good faith that they were wrong to miss funerals and other family events, but Mr Cummings was right.

    He says he has listened to his constituents and resigned. The question now is whether other Tory MPs are continuing to get the same feedback.

  17. Another Tory MP calls for Cummings to resignpublished at 10:23 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

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  18. Statment from Jackson Carlaw on resignation of Douglas Rosspublished at 10:18 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    Scottish Conservative leader Jackson CarlawImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw

    Here's a statement from Scottish conservative leader Jackson Carlaw:

    “I accept Douglas’ position and respect the decision he has come to.

    “This is a difficult situation for many, and people will arrive at different judgements.

    “Douglas will be a huge loss to government and I thank him for all he’s done at the Scotland Office.

    “I am in no doubt that he will continue to serve his Moray constituents with diligence and commitment, as he has done since first being elected.”

  19. Blackford calls on PM to remove Cummings from his postpublished at 10:13 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

    SNP Westminster leader Ian BlackfordImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford

    SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has taken to social media too, saying on twitter: "This will have been a difficult decision to make and I respect Douglas Ross for taking it.

    "This issue transcends politics.

    "It is about protecting trust and confidence in the public health advice.

    "The Prime Minister must remove Dominic Cummings from his post without further delay.

  20. Senior Tory MSP: 'Cummings should be sacked'published at 10:09 British Summer Time 26 May 2020

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