Summary

  • MSPs take evidence on the strategic review of STV from the NUJ and BECTU as well as Ofcom.

  • The first minister faces questions from opposition leaders and backbench MSPs

  • MSPs back the ministerial appointments following Nicola Sturgeon's reshuffle, after the first minister withdraws Gillian Martin's appointment as education minister

  1. The first minister accepts work needs to be done to improve cancer waiting timespublished at 12:22 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles raises the issue of cancer waiting times in Grampian.

    The first minister accepts work needs to be done to improve cancer waiting times.

    Mike Rumbles
  2. Tory MSP: 'Stranraer has been badly let down'published at 12:22 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Finlay Carson

    Tory MSP Finlay Carson raises the taskforce set up to regenerate Stranraer following ferry services moving elsewhere.

    "Stranraer has been badly let down."

    Ms Sturgeon says the Scottish government is engaging with the local authority to see what could be done.

    She also points to the South of Scotland enterprise agency and interim arrangements.

  3. Finance hardship and relief fund for those hit by Glasgow School of Art firepublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Sandra WhiteImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Sandra White raises concerns about the fires in Sauchiehall Street at the Glasgow School of Art and calls for support for those affected.

    The first minister says the finance secretary will give details of a finance hardship and relief fund this afternoon.

  4. Postpublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

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  5. Postpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

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  6. Background: MSP dropped as new minister over 'offensive' blog postpublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Gillian Martin

    The Scottish government has dropped Gillian Martin from its list of new government ministers over an "offensive and inappropriate" blog post.

    Ms Martin, named as a junior education minister on Wednesday, wrote about "hairy knuckled, lipstick-wearing transgender laydees" on her blog.

    Opposition parties had questioned Ms Martin's fitness for office.

    She said the now-deleted post "did not reflect my view then and certainly does not reflect my view now".

    Read more.

  7. Leanord raises withdrawal of Gillian Martin nominationpublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Mr Leonard says Gillian Martin, who was to be appointed as a junior education minister, blogged using the phrase "hairy knuckled lipstick wearing transgender ladyees".

    He says Ms Martin's nomination has now been withdrawn, reflecting badly on the first minister's judgement.

    The first minister says she will deal with this in the debate that followe FMQs

    Nicola Sturgeon
  8. Background: Flagship Scottish education bill shelvedpublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Mr Swinney made the announcement in the chamber on Tuesday
    Image caption,

    Mr Swinney made the announcement in the chamber on Tuesday

    The Scottish government has shelved its flagship Education Bill after claiming key reforms can be introduced more quickly without changing the law.

    Nicola Sturgeon previously said the bill would be the most radical change to how schools are run since devolution.

    But it faced opposition from teaching unions and some opposition parties.

    Some of the proposals will now be introduced through an agreement with councils instead.

    Read more here.

  9. Leonard says government wasted two years on Education Bill now shelvedpublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Mr Leonard says for two years the goevernment has wasted time on the Education Bill, which has now been ditched.

    The Scottish Labour leader says John Swinney at education is now reaping what he sowed at finance.

    He highlights rising class sizes and flagship legislation shelved and teachers preparing for industrial action.

    Ms Sturgeon says the Labour members on COSLA believe the education reforms are being side tracked as they signed up to the deal.

    The first minister insists the government is getting on with the job.

    Richard Leonard
  10. Background: Teachers’ union delivers pay rise petition to John Swinney reports The Scotsmanpublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    School pupilsImage source, Getty Images

    According to The Scotsman..., external

    "A petition calling for teachers across Scotland to get a 10% pay rise has been delivered to Education Secretary John Swinney.

    "Senior figures from the EIS teaching union said more than 25,000 people back their call for a pay rise.

    "Union president Alison Thornton, her predecessor Nicola Fisher and the union’s vice president Bill Ramsay delivered postbags full of signed postcards."Teaching unions have already rejected a rise of up to 3% from councils - with local authorities describing this as their “best and final offer”."

  11. Postpublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

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  12. Leonard raises challenges in educationpublished at 12:12 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Richard Leonard

    Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says the signatures of over 25,000 people calling on this government to value education was delivered yesterday.

    If the Scottish government really valued education, this would not have had to be delivered by the EIS he argues.

    The first minister says negotiations are underway and "making good progress".

    "I hope they conclude and conclude well soon."

    This government's record is good and we will continue to take decisions in the interest of public service works, the first minister insists.

  13. The system must be rebalanced in favour of the law abiding Scottish public says Davidsonpublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson calls for a root and branch review of the justice system by the new minister.

    The system must be rebalanced in favour of the law abiding Scottish public she says.

    The first minister says she would be happy to have Humz Yousaf meet with Michelle's family, subject to his appointment as justice minister being approved after FMQs.

    She explains the government is absolutely committed to ensuring the parole process is as transparent as possible.

    Ms Strugeon says two reviews are under way and the needs of victims will continue to be reflected in the justice system.

    Nicola Sturgeon
  14. Background: Chief inspector asks 'what next for Scotland's jails?'published at 12:08 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Prisons inspector David Strang
    Image caption,

    Prisons inspector David Strang

    Scotland's prisons' watchdog has called for greater emphasis on developing offenders' potential for good rather than focusing on their past wrongs.

    David Strang is stepping down after five years as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS).

    In a valedictory address he said the purpose of the criminal justice system is to reduce the number of victims of crime by preventing offending.

    And he asked if imprisonment contributes to crime reduction.

    Speaking in Edinburgh, he said it was important to ensure that when people leave prison at the end of their sentence they are less likely to return there in the future - and that meant reducing barriers to successful reintegration.

    Read more.

  15. First minister stresses the importance of rehabilitationpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Nicola Sturgeon

    Ms Davidson says the sense of injustice felt by Michelle's family is not isolated but felt by victims families across Scotland

    She asks: "Who in the Scottish government is standing up for victims' rights?

    Home detention curfew is only used rarely after careful assessment, Ms Sturgeon says.

    She says lessons are learned from any case and she stresses the importance of rehabilitation.

    The first minister agrees it is absolutely right victims' rights are at the centre of the justice system but that must be balanced with the benefits of rehabilitation.

  16. Postpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

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  17. Background: Father criticises potential release of murderer of his daughterpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Michelle Stewart and John Wilson
    Image caption,

    Michelle Stewart and John Wilson

    The father of a 17-year-old schoolgirl who was stabbed to death in an Ayrshire street has criticised the potential early release of her murderer.

    John Wilson, 20, was given a life sentence after he admitted murdering his former girlfriend, Michelle Stewart, in Drongan in 2008.

    The judge said Wilson must serve at least 12 years.

    At the time, Ms Stewart's father Kenneth said his daughter had been "completely let down" by the justice system.

  18. Davidson raises case of potential release of murdererpublished at 12:05 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

    Ruth Davidson

    Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says Michelle Stewart was murdered in 2008. She was 17 years old.

    Ms Davidson says Michelles' sister received a letter saying John Wilson, who murdered Michelle and stabbed her 10 times, has been approved for first grant of temporary release.

    How would the first minister feel if she was in the shoes of the family that received that letter, asks Ms Davidson.

    Ms Sturgeon says: "If I was in the shoes of the family I would be very upset to receive that letter."

    The first minister says she will certainly look closely at the individual case Ruth Davidson has made today.

    She says where changes are required they will be made, but she stresses it is important.

  19. Postpublished at 11:59 British Summer Time 28 June 2018

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  20. Gillian Martin nomination as junior education minister withdrawn following blog revelationspublished at 11:54 British Summer Time 28 June 2018
    Breaking

    Gillian Martin

    Gillian Martin will no longer be appointed as the new further education, higher education and science minister.

    Opposition parties were seeking to block the appointment over an "inappropriate and offensive" blog.

    The Scottish government has now removed Ms Martin's name from the appointment motion.

    Gillian Martin, named as a junior education minister on Wednesday, wrote about "hairy knuckled, lipstick-wearing transgender laydees" on her blog.

    The Aberdeenshire East MSP, who was first elected to Holyrood in 2016, said she was "more than happy to unreservedly apologise" for the post.