Political Editor, Daily Record✍🏻
Host, Planet Holyrood 🎙️
Aberdeen fan ⚽️
Tip offs:
paul.hutcheon@reachplc.comNEW: Anas Sarwar has given conditional support to Keir Starmer staying on as Prime Minister over the Peter Mandelson scandal.
He said Starmer could remain as PM, but only if full transparency was provided.
Anas Sarwar gives cautious support to Keir Starmer to stay on as Prime Minister over Peter Mandelson scandal - Daily Record
The Scottish Labour leader said Mandelson was a "shame to our nation" after emails showed he leaked sensitive Government information to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
🎙️ Latest Planet Holyrood:
- Keir Starmer in the firing line over the Mandelson/Epstein scandal
- Anas Sarwar's re-think over trans rights
- The SNP kills plans to criminalise sex buying
Planet Holyrood | Peter Mandelson Epstein scandal | Sarwar on trans prisoners | Regan bill ignored?
The panel pick apart the latest political news lines from across Scotland and beyond, from the Mandelson scandal englufing the Labour party to anas Sarwar's changed stance on trans prisoners.
Daily Record Homepage: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/
Daily Record Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheScot
EXC: UK Government spends £56,000 on Inverness barracks earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation.
UK Government spends £56,000 on Inverness barracks earmarked for asylum seekers - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: The cash was spent on legionella testing and removing the MOD’s secure IT network
NEW: The SNP Deputy First Minister missed the vote on an anti-prostitution law due to having a "family issue".
This is despite Kate Forbes answering a question in the chamber hours earlier on ferries.
SNP Deputy First Minister missed anti-prostitution vote due to 'family issue' - Daily Record
Kate Forbes was one of ten MSPs who did not vote on the proposal by independent Ash Regan.
EXC: SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn demands Sarwar sack Labour MSP over paedophile friendship.
Stephen Flynn demands Sarwar sack Labour MSP over paedophile friendship - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Flynn said Pam Duncan-Glancy should not be an MSP or a Labour party member.
NEW: Eleven MSPs did not vote on Ash Regan's Bill to criminalise sex buying.
One of them was deputy first minister Kate Forbes.
The SNP whipped their MSPs to vote against.
BREAKING: MSPs vote 64-54 to reject Ash Regan's Bill to criminalise sex buying.
NEW: SNP Government orders investigation into safety levels at scandal-hit hospital.
SNP Government orders investigation into safety levels at scandal-hit hospital - Daily Record
Health Secretary Neil Gray was forced into the move after political pressure over concerns about safety at the Queen Elizabeth University hospital (QEUH).
NEW: Refugee homeless applications to Scottish councils soar by over 50% in a year.
People granted leave to remain accounted for 16% of all bids for temporary accommodation.
Refugee homeless applications to Scottish councils soar by over 50% in a year - Daily Record
The figures were revealed in official stats released by the Scottish Government.
Pressure is building on Anas Sarwar to withdraw the whip from Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy over her close friendship with a serial paedophile.
An SNP MSP, Scottish Greens candidate and Labour insiders want Sarwar to act amid the Lord Mandelson scandal.
Anas Sarwar urged to withdraw whip from Labour MSP over friendship with serial paedophile - Daily Record
Cross party calls have been made for the Scottish Labour leader to withdraw the whip from Glasgow MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy.
Analysis | Why Anas Sarwar has changed tack on trans rights and what it means for the Holyrood election.
Why Anas Sarwar has changed tack on trans rights and what it means for the Holyrood election - Daily Record
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Scottish Labour leader's allies are pleased his position has changed after he supported the SNP Government's Gender Recognition Reform plan.
EXC: The SNP Government will not be supporting a Bill criminalising sex buying in a vote tomorrow.
Minister Siobhian Brown said there is not enough time to amend the Bill and deal with concerns over the plan.
SNP Government will 'not support' plan to criminalise sex buying in crunch Holyrood vote - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: The Government's position was revealed in a letter by Victims and Community Minister Safety Siobhian Brown.
EXCLUSIVE: Anas Sarwar has promised to ban trans prisoners from female jails if Scottish Labour wins the Holyrood election.
On the eve of a key court case, he says would ensure prisons are single-sex "within days" of becoming FM.
Trans prisoners to be banned from female jails if Scottish Labour wins election - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Labour leader said prisons must be 'single-sex spaces" in the wake of the Isla Bryson scandal.
🎙️ Latest Planet Holyrood:
- Reform UK's fantasy tax plans for Holyrood
- Under 100 days to go the election
- Andy Burnham row does Scottish Labour no good
Planet Holyrood: Burnham Labour Party drama | 100 days to election | Reform UK’s fantasy tax plans
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon is joined by Daily Record Head of News Mark Smith and Scottish Express Editor Ben Borland on the Planet Holyrood podcast to discuss how the Labour Party turns inward again on Andy Burnham row, John Swinney and Anas Sarwar speeches with 100 days to go the S
This terrible poll for Scottish Labour comes after an election spending blitz promoting Anas Sarwar.
Scottish Labour trailing on 15% in new Scottish Parliament opinion poll - Daily Record
The poll found Labour are five points behind Reform UK on the constituency vote.
EXC: SNP Justice Secretary released Dundee paedophile from prison two months after his conviction.
Labour MSP Michael Marra: "She must urgently explain why she was happy to allow this sick beast back onto our streets."
SNP Justice Secretary released serial paedophile from prison two months after his conviction - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Angela Constance has been criticised over the decision to release Dundee sex offender William Cox on compassionate grounds.
EXC: The Labour leader of Edinburgh council has hit out at the Health Secretary after he blocked a party colleague who faced a sex message probe from joining NHS Lothian.
Council leader hits out at move to block sex message probe colleague from NHS board - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Jane Meagher has complained after Health Secretary Neil Gray vetoed Cammy Day for the board of NHS Lothian.
EXC: The Labour leader of Edinburgh council has hit out at the Health Secretary after he blocked a party colleague who faced a sex message probe from joining NHS Lothian.
Council leader hits out at move to block sex message probe colleague from NHS board - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Jane Meagher has complained after Health Secretary Neil Gray vetoed Cammy Day for the board of NHS Lothian.
Scottish Tories target low income families with promise to reintroduce two child benefit cap.
Scottish Tories target low income families by reintroducing two child benefit cap - Daily Record
Party leader Russell Findlay said the SNP Government's flagship Scottish child payment should only be given to the first two children in a family.
EXCL: Health Secretary Neil Gray has blocked a Labour councillor who faced a sex message probe from joining the board of NHS Lothian.
Gray vetoed Cammy Day's appointment last night.
Health Secretary blocks Labour councillor who faced sex message probe from NHS board - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Neil Gray intervened to reject the appointment after a complaint was made by an SNP MSP.
Former linesman and Labour candidate opens up on death of mum from lung cancer.
Former linesman and Labour candidate opens up on death of mum from lung cancer - Daily Record
Jordan Stokoe spoke about his late mum at Labour's event marking 100 days to the Holyrood election.
Deacon Blue blast Reform UK after rich Scottish leader compares 'Dignity' anthem to his life story.
Deacon Blue blast Reform UK after Scottish leader compares 'Dignity' anthem to his life story - Daily Record
The iconic Scottish band said it was “deeply depressing” to see the “poisonous rhetoric” of Reform take hold.
NEW: 💯 days to go to the Holyrood election as Labour and the SNP trade blows on the NHS.
One hundred days to go to the Holyrood election as Labour urges Scots to 'save' NHS - Daily Record
Holyrood's political parties have laid out their priorities ahead of the pivotal election in May.
EXC: Reform UK members in Scotland will 'not have a say' in picking Holyrood candidates.
Reform UK members in Scotland will 'not have a say' in picking Holyrood candidates - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: It is understood party bosses will impose the candidates for the upcoming election.
EXC: An SNP MSP has hit out at colleagues after they rejected a Bill to criminalise sex buying.
SNP MSP hits out at colleagues after they rejected Bill to criminalise sex buying - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Ruth Maguire said the stance of some of her colleagues was "not good enough"
EXC: Scottish Labour urged to confirm no party MSP has invited serial paedophile Sean Morton to Holyrood.
Scottish Labour urged to confirm no party MSP has invited serial paedophile Sean Morton to Holyrood - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: SNP MSP Rona Mackay issued five questions to the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar about the scandal.
EXC: A Reform UK insider says the party is delaying their Holyrood candidates until March to avoid scrutiny. Also says:
- the delay is geared at giving maximum time to potential Tory defectors
- switchers are being prioritised over long-standing members
Reform UK 'delaying Holyrood candidates' to avoid scrutiny as favouritism row erupts - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: A Reform UK source also said the party is planning to hold off announcing their candidates because they want more Tory MSPs to defect.
Anas Sarwar's allies will be breathing a sigh of relief. They want Labour's UK-wide resources to be focused on Scotland in May.
Andy Burnham blocked from standing for Westminster by-election.
Labour's governing body blocked the Greater Manchester mayor from being a candidate in the by-election.
NEW: John Swinney says it 'looks like' families were lied to over super-hospital infection scandal.
John Swinney says it 'looks like' families were lied to over hospital scandal
The First Minister issued his strongest criticism yet of the past leadership at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
NEW: Milly Main's mum has demanded Nicola Sturgeon be "honest" about the dirty water scandal she says killed her daughter. Kimberly Darroch said:
- she "knows something"
- says the SG failed the child victims
- says Sturgeon/Swinney are 'hiding' from her
Milly Main's mum urges Nicola Sturgeon to be 'honest' about dirty water scandal she says killed her daughter - Daily Record
Kimberly Darroch rounded on the SNP Government over the deaths linked to contaminated water at a Glasgow super-hospital.
EXC: An SNP MP says he will write to all political parties urging them to support an 'exclusion zone' plan banning protests near asylum hotels in their Holyrood election manifestos.
Pete Wishart said he believes the SNP will make this commitment.
SNP MP says Nationalists will back 'exclusion zone' ban for protests near asylum hotels - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Veteran MP Peter Wishart also said he would be writing to all the main political parties urging them to commit to exclusion zones near the hotels.
EXC: Scottish Labour MPs fear Andy Burnham standing in a looming Westminster by-election would damage their Holyrood election campaign.
They believe a mayoral contest would suck resources away from Scotland and create a "psychodrama".
Scottish Labour MPs fear Andy Burnham standing in Westminster by-election would damage Holyrood campaign - Daily Record
Scottish Labour MPs say Burnham quitting his current role would trigger a Greater Manchester mayoral contest and lead to resources being shifted from Scotland.
EXC: SNP Westminster leader blasts Iran's 'bloody ridiculous' interference over Scottish independence.
SNP chief blasts Iran's 'bloody ridiculous' interference in Scottish independence debate - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Flynn said the fake X accounts were "humiliating" for the brutal regime in Tehran.
EXC: Voters are continuing to receive a 'dodgy' Scottish Labour leaflet a week after an apology by party leader Anas Sarwar.
Voters continuing to receive 'dodgy' Scottish Labour leaflet a week after apology - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Anas Sarwar said sorry for a leaflet falsely quoting a maternity campaigner, but locals in Wishaw received one this morning.
EXC: Top SNP councillor warns Scottish Government funding plans will lead to service cuts and job losses.
Top SNP councillor says Government funding plan will lead to cuts and job losses
EXCLUSIVE: Ricky Bill, on behalf of COSLA, raised the alarm about the impact of the SNP administration's actions on local authorities.
🎙️ Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer on Planet Holyrood:
- blasts SNP indyref2 policy
- criticises Sandie Peggie
- predicts his party will return 15 MSPs
Greens' Ross Greer talks election, independence, trans rights and an SNP majority? | Planet Holyrood
The Scottish Greens co-leader says there is a “less” than 1% chance of the SNP winning a pro-independence majority at the Holyrood election. Ross Greer said John Swinney tying indyref2 to an outright win is “daft” and claimed the SNP had backed themselves into a corner.
Greer offers his thoughts on
EXC: SNP have 'less than 1%' chance of winning outright majority at Holyrood, says co-leader of Scottish Greens.
SNP have 'less than 1%' chance of winning outright majority at Holyrood - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer rubbished the SNP's strategy of securing indyref2.
EXC: Councillor says "prison is better than NHS" after suffering heart attack.
Councillor says "prison is better than NHS" after suffering heart attack
EXCLUSIVE: Labour's George Redmond paid tribute to the NHS staff who cared for him, but he criticised the poor infrastructure at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and blamed the SNP Government.
A call that is likely to appeal to pro-independence supporters disaffected with the SNP.
Anas Sarwar vows to release 'Salmond files' if he becomes First Minister - Daily Record
"As first minister I'll publish the Salmond Files that the SNP desperately don't want you to see, will John Swinney promise the same?"
First Minister John Swinney warns Nigel Farage will try to scrap Holyrood.
John Swinney says Nigel Farage will try to scrap Holyrood if he becomes PM
EXCLUSIVE: The First Minister said Farage as PM, backed up by a strong Reform contingent at Holyrood, would get rid of the Parliament.
EXC: John Swinney hits out at 8% council tax rises and urges inflation linked hikes.
John Swinney puts a figure on 'reasonable' council tax rises as hikes looms
EXCLUSIVE: The SNP First Minister rejected claims councils may need to increase tax by 8%.
Reform's new leader in Scotland has refused to say how many homes he has during a grilling on his wealth. Baron Offord also:
- dodged committing to publishing his tax returns
- refused to estimate his net worth
Malcolm Offord refuses to say how many homes he has as Reform's Scottish leader grilled on his wealth - Daily Record
Baron Offord of Garvel has been quizzed on the extent of his wealth.
Unelected peer Lord Offord hand picked by Nigel Farage to lead Reform in Scotland without an election.
Malcolm Offord confirmed as Reform leader in Scotland by Nigel Farage - Daily Record
A month ago the then Lord Offord quit the Conservative party and defected to Reform, giving up his peerage to stand for election in Holyrood this May.
EXC: Labour MSP urged to quit Holyrood immediately over new details of friendship with paedophile.
We can reveal Sean Morton offended again + was jailed last year for having more indecent images of children, but Pam Duncan Glancy continued being a pal.
Labour MSP urged to quit Holyrood immediately after new details of friendship with paedophile emerge - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Pam Duncan-Glancy continued her friendship with Sean Morton after Sean Morton committed more child sexual offences.
🎙️ Planet Holyrood Budget special:
- A win for babies
- ‘Mansion tax’ smoke and mirrors
- “Another” breakfast club promise.
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
EXC: SNP mansion tax may raise an extra £2m due to the cost of reevaluating expensive homes.
SNP mansion tax may only raise £2m due to cost of reevaluating expensive homes - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: An email from COSLA has revealed the net gain from the policy could be limited in its early days.
NEW: Anas Sarwar dismisses Reform UK as “Toxic Tory rejects” in angry attack on Nigel Farage's party.
Anas Sarwar dismisses Reform UK as “Toxic Tory rejects” in angry attack on Nigel Farage's party - Daily Record
The Scottish Labour leader also described senior Reform figures as "self-interested charlatans"
Analysis | John Swinney is edging towards a fifth SNP term as he creates political dividing lines.
Budget 2026 helps John Swinney edge towards a fifth SNP term - Daily Record
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Budget contains enough cost of living measures for the SNP to take into the election.
Anti-poverty campaigners are delighted with this policy in the SNP Budget.
SNP Government announce £40 a week Scottish Child Payment for babies - Daily Record
The increase will apply to the youngest children and breakfast clubs will also be rolled out.
NEW: SNP Gov announces council tax rises for wealthier Scots in £1m homes.
Council tax rises for wealthier Scots under SNP Budget raid - Daily Record
Two extra bands will be created in a bid to raise money for policies to help low income Scots.
