The two favourites for the Lions fullback slot face off
Stuart Hogg has had an eye catching start to the Six Nations. Another strong performance this afternoon could book his ticket to Australia
Harris Tweed makes a classic comeback
Once associated with the hunting, shooting, fishing set, Harris Tweed is enjoying a global surge in popularity.
Celebrities support campaign for more blood donors
Hollyoaks stars and designer Wayne Hemingway MBE are supporting NHS Blood and Transplant's appeal to recruit vital new blood donors.
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Scotland marks Thatcher funeral
The flags outside the Scottish Parliament building are flying at half mast this morning to mark the funeral of Margaret Thatcher.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is in Westminster to attend the ceremony.
The Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, will also be among more than 2,000 guests at St Paul's Cathedral.
A debate on Margaret Thatcher's legacy which was due to be held at Holyrood today, was rescheduled for tomorrow after the Scottish Conservatives branded the timing "provocative and insensitive".
Borders MP "extremely disappointed" with court closures
Borders MP Michael Moore has expressed his disappointment following the announcement last week that the Scottish Court Service has recommended the closure of Duns courts:
– Michael Moore MP“I am extremely disappointed to see that the SCS are still recommending that the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace courts in Duns should be closed.
“I believe that this move would constrain access to justice in Berwickshire because it will force local people to travel further to have their cases heard.
“It is now up to the Scottish Government to decide whether to take these recommendations forward and I am strongly urging them not to do so for the sake of our local justice system here in the Borders.”
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Local politicians 'disappointed' with court closures announcement
Local politicians have expressed their disappointment at the Scottish Courts Service, after they announced that they want to press ahead with plans to close Peebles, Duns and Kirkcudbright Sheriff Courts by January 2015.
– David Mundell MSP, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Scottish Conservatives"This is simply another case of people here being ignored by the Scottish Government. I am now seeking a full explanation for this disappointing decision, and checking to see if anything else can be done to these courts.
"I will also be lobbying the Scottish Parliament who will now have to approve this proposal, and also lobbying Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.”
– Christine Grahame MSP, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, SNP"I am very disappointed at the recommendation to close Peebles Sheriff Court.
"I made a strong representation to the Scottish Courts Administration both as the MSP for Peebles and as a former court lawyer as to why it should remain open to deliver local justice.
“I continue to oppose closure but in the meantime, as a back-up am pursuing the relocation of court business to Galashiels as a justice centre and if required, in the interim, should Peebels close, for business to transfer to Selkirk. “
Sheriff Court closures
The Scottish Courts Service (SCS) has announced it wants to press ahead with plans to close Peebles, Duns and Kirkcudbright Sheriff Courts by January 2015.
Court proceedings would instead be held in Jedburgh, Selkirk and Dumfries.
The Justice of the Peace Court in Annan is also set to close.
The final decision on court closures will be taken by the Scottish Parliament.
– John Lamont MSP, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire"This is a hugely disappointing decision that will be a massive blow to the justice system we have here in the Borders.
"To shut both Duns and Peebles Sheriff Courts will severely limit the access that many local people have to the justice system as they will have to travel far further to get to their nearest court.
“It also means that a huge amount of pressure will be heaped upon Jedburgh and Selkirk Sheriff Courts as they have to take on the extra workload created by these closures.
“It is disappointing that the Justice of the Peace Courts in Duns and Peebles will also be shutting."
Sentence to be passed on Scottish Courts
Firm proposals on the future of Sheriff Courts in Peebles, Duns and Kirkcudbright will be revealed today.
The Scottish Courts Service says it needs to reduce the number of court buildings to save money after a twenty per cent reduction in its budget.
The Justice of the Peace Court in Annan is also under threat of closure.
Opponents argue that visible access to local justice will be compromised.
There are also concerns that many people living in rural areas will struggle with transport costs.
A final decision on court closures will be taken by the Scottish Government.
"Trident is redundant" says Deputy First Minister
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been reacting to David Cameron's views on Trident and has said the Prime Minister is 'out of touch':
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'David Cameron should apologise for Westminster's betrayal of Scotland's communities' says SNP Defence minister
– Angus Robertson MP, Spokesperson, Scottish National Party Defence“It is the most enormous blunder for the No campaign to place Trident at the centre of the referendum debate.
"The Parliament and 80 per cent of the people of Scotland want to get rid of Trident, and the obscene waste of up to £100 billion it represents at a time of austerity and savage welfare cuts from Westminster.
"David Cameron should be using this visit as his opportunity to apologise for Westminster's betrayal of Scotland’s communities and its constant broken promises on defence."
Cameron says 'keep trident'
As part of his visit to Scotland, David Cameron is due to visit HMS Victorious, a Royal Navy submarine which keeps Trident nuclear missiles continuously at sea.
The Scottish National Party say they would scrap Trident in an independent Scotland.
However, Mr Cameron says it would be 'foolish' to abandon it because of the threat of nuclear attack from North Korea.
Prime Minister in Scotland
The Prime Minister will say the UK is 'stronger and safer together' as he visits Scotland today.
Speaking ahead of a trip to the offices of a defence contractor, David Cameron said:
– Prime Minister, David Cameron“Scotland has a world renowned and highly skilled defence sector that employs over 12,600 people and has annual sales in excess of £1.8 billion.
“Being part of the UK opens doors for the Scottish defence industry around the globe. When we sell Typhoons overseas, this benefits jobs and growth for companies making components in Scotland.
“Scotland counts for more on the world stage because it is part of the United Kingdom and Scottish defence jobs are more secure as part of the United Kingdom. "Defence matters. We are stronger and safer together.”
Meanwhile, ahead of the visit, Scotland's Deputy First Minister has stepped up calls for David Cameron to agree to a live TV debate with Alex Salmond on Scottish Independence.
– Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister"First and foremost in such a referendum debate should be the UK Government’s brutal welfare cuts – and how David Cameron can possibly justify the Westminster system imposing iniquitous measures such as the Bedroom Tax on Scotland when over 90 per cent of Scottish MPs voted against it.
“David Cameron should use his visit to Scotland to speak for himself and agree to a head-to-head debate with Alex Salmond – if he does not, the conclusion we can take is that he is incapable of defending Westminster’s attacks on working families and some of our most vulnerable citizens to the people of Scotland.”
Police Scotland's first day
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