First up this afternoon it's time for reflection.

This week's reading is delivered by Dr Maureen Sier, Director, Interfaith Scotland. 

Nicola Sturgeon has warned Theresa May that she is not "bluffing" on the promise of a second independence referendum if Scotland is "driven off a hard Brexit cliff".

Scotland's first minister told the BBC's Andrew Marr she felt the prime minister had "no plan" in terms of her strategy for the UK leaving the EU.

She said she was prepared to compromise and wants Mrs May to do the same.

The UK government has said a special deal for Scotland is unrealistic.

• May: Government not muddled over Brexit
• Brexit: All you need to know
• At-a-glance - Draft Scots referendum bill

Scotland's first minister has explicitly ruled out holding a second referendum on independence this year.

The Scottish government has already drafted legislation for a referendum after Nicola Sturgeon said another ballot was highly likely in the wake of the UK voting to leave the EU.

But Ms Sturgeon told STV News, external that any referendum would not been held in 2017.

Image source, Getty Images

Her predecessor, Alex Salmond, has predicted a vote on independence will be held in the autumn of next year.

Ms Sturgeon said: "There is not going to be an independence referendum in 2017, I don't think there is anybody who thinks that is the case."

• Scottish politics - six things to look out for in 2017
• Sturgeon: 'I'm not bluffing' on indyref2
• Soft Brexit could put aside indyref - FM

Nicola Sturgeon has suggested a soft Brexit would see the prospect of Scottish independence removed - in the short term.

Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, the first minister said she believed Scotland's "direction of travel" was towards independence.

But she said this could be "put aside" in the short term as she seeks "consensus and compromise" over Brexit.

Opposition parties want Ms Sturgeon to rule out a second referendum.

That concludes the Justice Committee's public session.

Ms Mitchell says the committee had previously kept the Justice for Megrahi petition open until Operation Sandlewood had ended, but it is ongoing.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says the petitioners ask for the petition to be kept open and the committee agrees.

Relatives of Lockerbie bombing victims will not be allowed to pursue an appeal on behalf of the only man convicted of the crime, judges have ruled.

Families argued they should have the right to carry forward the miscarriage of justice appeal for Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi, who died in 2012.

But three judges at the appeal court in Edinburgh have ruled that this is not possible under Scots law.

The families said they would continue their "fight for justice".

Megrahi's own family still have the right to appeal on his behalf.

Analysis by Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland correspondent

The Justice Committee will now consider the following public petition:

• PE1370 , externalby Dr Jim Swire, Professor Robert Black QC, Robert Forrester, Father Patrick Keegans and Iain McKie on Justice for Megrahi  

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell concludes the session asking for the witnesses to think about the staff workload issues.

Ms Mitchell says staff have been reluctant to come before the committee publicly and there is a "fear" that this may affect career prospects.

The Tory MSP ends by thanking the witnesses. 

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says there have been concerns raise about "overzealous" fiscal fines.

Mr McArthur says some of those fines are not being paid even with a payment plan in place.

Crown Agent David Harvie says at any given time there is outstanding fines being collected as new fines are imposed.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says health and safety is almost treated like a civil case.

Crown Agent David Harvie says these are some of the most complex cases.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says there has been concern over the low level of prosecution level in employers liability cases. 

Lord Advocate James Wolffe says it is important to recognise that not all accidents at work happen as a result of a crime. 

Mr Wolffe says the cases that are brought forward are considered. 

Tory MSP Douglas Ross asks if it is important that the Lord Advocate's office and the Crown Office is as accountable to the public as possible.

Mr Ross says he is sensing that the Lord Advocate is saying it should be transparent.

He asks though why FOI requests cannot be appealed.

Lord Advocate James Wolffe says he did not know that there is any particular FOI rule that applies to his office.

Mr Wolffe says there would be no general objection to appeals and his office will comply with FOI rules.