'No connection' between schools announcement and Nicola Sturgeon's evidence to Salmond Inquiry, says Swinney

Emma Thompson is having some fun on the red carpet!

Strictly Come Dancing producers are reportedly keeping Anton Du Beke on the show's judging panel, meaning Bruno Tonioli might be axed.Due to the pandemic, the 66-year-old Italian native has not appeared on the BBC show in person for the last two years.In 2020 Bruno - who judges the US version of the dancing show Dancing With the Stars - appeared via video link from his home in LA.In 2021, Strictly saw dancer Anton hang up his dancing shoes and take his place at the judging panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.It's been teased that Bruno, who has starred on the show for 16 years and is currently on the Strictly tour as a judge, would not be returning to the hit BBC show this year.In an exclusive chat with The Sun, a source said: "We have been told Anton's contract as a judge is going to be renewed. The bosses were really happy with his performance.""It also hasn't escaped their notice his salary is considerably lower than Bruno's."They revealed that there is a "huge amount of affection" for him on the BBC show and that the decision will "ruffle some feathers".However, because the judging panel format worked well last year, it is believed that bosses are reluctant to switch it up again.The announcement comes after the Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood showed his support for welcoming Bruno back to the show.

Kanye West has found himself in another online dispute, this time with rapper Kid Cudi.

The stars are kicking off Super Bowl Weekend!

Nicola Sturgeon will face questions from fellow MSPs at First Minister's Questions this afternoon.It is expected to begin around 12.30 in the Scottish Parliament, and beforehand the First Minister will give the latest update on the current coronavirus statistics.It comes as the Western Isles will today move to level three of lockdown restrictions from 6pm.Announcing the change yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said the Outer Hebrides would return to the level that currently applies to Orkney and Shetland, and some of Scotland’s other islands after their success in reducing transmission in recent weeks.The islands had seen a number of covid clusters over the last year, in the Uists, Barra and more recently around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.No

First Minister spoke on the National Day of Reflection that memorialised loved ones lost to COVID-19.The lockdown update is Ms Sturgeon's last scheduled weekly update before the Scottish Parliamentary elections on May 6.She said: "One of the cruellest aspects of this pandemic has undoubtedly been its impact on our ability to grieve."It is of course a natural human response when someone we love dies, to gather with others – to mourn their loss and to celebrate their life."The fact that this shared and important ritual has not been possible has – I know – been an additional source of grief for many, during this most difficult of years."So I hope that today’s day of reflection– and the memorials that communities will plan – will help."They are

Scottish Parliament later today. The Scottish Tories said they will press ahead with a vote in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after a Holyrood committee found she misled parliament.

We will keep you updated on all the latest news on our blog below. Student nurse Keren Nairns lost both her grandparents to Covid last year.Her gran Agnes Addison, from Bannockburn in Stirlingshire, died from the virus but the family believe her grandad Davy Wilson’s death is also partly attributable to Covid.Agnes, 69, died on March 29 last year while Davy, 61, passed away on October 7, while awaiting a hospital referral for an unrelated matter.Read the full story here.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon previously said it is "right we pause to remember those we have lost, and offer our continued thoughts, solidarity and support to the bereaved".She added: "As we remember, we can also reflect on how far we have come in a relatively short

Our Politics newsletter is now daily. Join thousands of others and get the latest Scottish politics news sent straight to your inbox.Commenting of the independent report by James Hamilton into her adherence to the Scottish Ministerial Code, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:“I welcome the conclusions of James Hamilton’s independent investigation, which are comprehensive, evidence-based and unequivocal“Mr Hamilton has considered all of the allegations against me, and I am happy that his report’s findings clear me of any breach of the ministerial code.“I sought at every stage in this issue to act with integrity and in the public interest.

First Minister to refer complaints made under the ethics code. Salmond, when he was First Minister, had six complaints referred to the independent panel, all of which were dismissed.

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First Minister 's resignation amid accusations she misled parliament about her involvement in the Alex Salmond investigation. It followed a leak that the inquiry into the Government's unlawful investigation into harassment complaints against the former first minister has reportedly concluded that Ms Sturgeon gave an "inaccurate" account of meetings with Mr Salmond.

coronavirus in Scotland in the last 24 hours. Figures announced by the Scottish Government this afternoon reveal 655 new cases of the virus have been identified overnight, bringing the total cases to 212,509.

Keir Starmer said it would be "incredibly serious" if the final report from the Alex Salmond Inquiry - due to be published on Tuesday morning - found the First Minister had broken the code of conduct all senior elected representatives are meant to follow. Speaking alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar at a media briefing on Friday, Starmer was asked if the SNP leader should resign if a committee of MSPs concluded she had broken the rules.

Linda Fabiani (Convener)Long-serving SNP MSP who has been deputy presiding officer of the Scottish parliament since 2016. No friend of Salmond, who replaced her as Europe Minister halfway through the SNP’s first term in office.

First Minister provided detailed dates of when the country can expect to begin opening back up.Nicola Sturgeon said a phased re-opening will begin next month with the Stay at Home message being dropped on April 2.On April 5, hairdressers, garden centres, click and collect services and some non-essential retail can open.On April 12, all children will return to classrooms full time.By April 26, all non-essential retail will open, tourist accommodation, gyms, and outdoor hospitality with a limitation on the serving of alcohol indoors, and weddings will be allowed to have 50 guests.On May 17, students will return to campus, indoor hospitality will begin and cinemas, events and bingo halls are expected to open.At the daily briefing Sturgeon said

coronavirus deaths and 625 new cases in last 24 hours The First Minister released the figures from St Andrews House in Nicola Sturgeon.

Alex Salmond. It comes after former Brexit Minister David Davis dropped a bombshell in the House of Commons last night when he revealed he received 'whistleblower' information that said the First Minister knew of the complaints against Salmond in February, not in April like she had stated.

Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland will lift its coronavirus stay-at-home order on April 2 and replace it with guidance to stay local for no more than three weeks.Retail and hospitality will be able to open in Scotland from April 26, the First Minister said.She told MSPs she hoped to allow all non-essential retail to return, with hospitality premises allowed to serve alcohol outdoors and food only indoors.Further easing of outdoor socialising restrictions will also happen on that date, with six people from three households being allowed to meet, with those aged between 12 and 17 able to meet with six others from six households.Attendance at funerals, weddings and associated events will also increase to a maximum of 50 from the same date.It comes

Dunblane massacre will be 'forever in our hearts' as Scotland remembers the tragedy 25 years on.The First Minister took to twitter to call the day 'one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history'.On March 13, 1996, crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton murdered 16 primary school children and their teacher in Dunblane, sending shockwaves of grief around the world.Hamilton then took his own life.The murder spree remains Britain's deadliest mass shootings and lead to large-scale reforms on laws on handguns in the country.Sturgeon tweeted that she was thinking today of the children.She tweeted: "This day, 25 years ago, was one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history."Thinking today of 16 little children, their

Prestwick, recorded a 'wash your hands' video clip which went viral.