All eyes have been on Donald Trump and events in Washington DC over the past week, although John Swinney tried to get in on the act with a speech at the Scottish Parliament about Ukraine and the idea of axing the US President’s planned state visit. 

Domestically, big news for most Scottish households was emerging from town halls and city chambers over the course of the week, with the last of a list of huge council tax rises being confirmed yesterday.

Here, Associate Editor Chris Musson – with help from political team Conor Matchett and Lewis McKenzie – brings you all the latest Holyrood gossip and need-to-know news from the world of Scottish politics.

HOLYROOD WHISPERS

Throw in the vowel

Non-partisan think-tank Reform Scotland is being forced to change its name due to the risk of being mixed up with Nigel Farage’s booming Reform UK.

Director Chris Deerin announced the intention at an event on Wednesday, where one visitor took inspiration from Standard Life Aberdeen’s downright silly 2021 rebrand as abrdn (the company backtracked this week) and shouted: “Why don’t you just remove all the vowels?”

Defectoral Dysfunction?

Speaking of Reform UK, Holyrood is awash with rumours that several Tory MSPs are mulling over defecting to Nigel Farage’s party.

But one of them, whose name sounds a bit like Rayum Timpson, told me: “Don’t be silly. I know there are rumours but they are based on nothing.

Reuters

Yet more Reform UK news. We’re told Farage’s party had hoped to unveil four defectors yesterday, but had to settle for two in the end.

Findlay setting the a-gender…

Big news this week from Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay.

He came out as “omnigender” at that Reform Scotland event. Findlay could not resist making the gag (well, we assume it is) amid a serious discussion about flagging literacy and numeracy standards in schools.

Alamy

Claiming that kids were being taught about dozens of genders instead of the basics, he said: “I’m omnigender, by the way, which means I can be all things to all people any given time.” Worth a try, given the Scottish Tories’ poll ratings.

A Tory confesses

Findlay also got confessional at the event. He described himself as “feral” as a child and when asked if he was enjoying life as Scottish Tory leader and MSP, the former crime journalist described it as the “worst midlife crisis in history”.

STAR OF THE WEEK: Neil Bibby

The Labour MSP gets the gong for questioning John Swinney yesterday on my latest Scottish Sun column about the lack of speed awareness courses in Scotland.

Getty

If anyone thinks this sounds a bit like the ‘cash for questions’ scandal, we can assure you it’s nothing like that at all.

PLONKER OF THE WEEK: Richard Tice

The Reform UK leader came to Scotland yesterday to unveil two Tory defectors… then forgot their names.

FIVE STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED…

Flopping Nightmare

The SNP may be enjoying being back in the lead – mainly thanks to Labour’s woes – but a poll this week signalled there may be trouble ahead for John Swinney if voters’ attention turns to the Scottish Government’s record.

The Ipsos research found Scots disapproving of SNP ministers’ performance in seven key areas. Read about it here.

Alamy

Shanks & Bigfoot

Officials who worked for years under the Tories are hampering Keir Starmer’s GB Energy plan, a UK Government minister has claimed.

We revealed the civil servant-bashing comments from Rutherglen MP Michael Shanks, which may raise eyebrows given it’s typically been right-wing Tories railing against Whitehall in recent years.

Shanks said ministers have had to “push and push and push” with officials as a firm under public ownership “doesn’t fit” with their “mindset”.

Shona Herself The Door

Finance secretary Shona Robison revealed she will stand down at the 2026 election after 27 years as an MSP, shortly before a similar announcement from Transport Secretary and fellow parly veteran Fiona Hyslop.

The moves will do little to dampen speculation about Stephen Flynn and his allies eyeing a changing of the guard in the SNP at Holyrood.

Alamy

F-f-f-f-fourteen

Hot on the heels of Rishi Sunak’s bid for the return of National Service, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has revealed plans for kids to be able to leave school at 14 if they go on to either an apprenticeship or college. 

We have video of the issue being discussed at First Minister’s Questions yesterday.

Doge You Forget About McKee

There have been a flurry of copycat pledges from Holyrood opposition parties about creating a Scottish version of Donald Trump’s DOGE.

But John Swinney says he already has a one-man version of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting US department – run by Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee.

The First Minister says it’s already saving Scots £280million a year.

Any gossip? Want to drop someone in it? Get in touch at scotpolitics@the-sun.co.uk

STAFF at a Scots escape room were left stunned after they arrived at work to find it had shut down.

Escape Reality employees turned up at the firm’s Merchant Square branch in Glasgow on Friday, February 28 to discover the company was being evicted.

Escape Reality

Workers claim they were not told the firm was being kicked out and were made to hand over their keys, reports Glasgow Live.

Staff allege they were also left struggling to make ends meet after their wages were delayed due to the insolvency.

One worker said: “We had suspected it was coming because we had a lot of scary letters and phone calls demanding money. We also knew their Cardiff and Manchester branches had shut in similar circumstances.

“It is really stressful for everyone. A couple of people have mortgage payments. People are really feeling it and they are worried about the current state of the job market.

“People are really unhappy and upset. It was a great place to work. Even if the insolvency goes through it will be months until anyone sees if there is money left to pay for what is owed.”

Customers also claim Escape Reality did not offer refunds and instead requested punters book with the Edinburgh branch instead.

One wrote: “We had a booking for the Glasgow branch next week and it looks like they’ve shut down. But when we called and emailed for our refund there was no answer and that’s been over a week now.

“Called and emailed the Edinburgh location, no answer for ages on the phone, someone eventually picked up and they REFUSED to refund us.”

A second said: “We originally booked for Escape Reality Glasgow, but the owner shut it down. When we called Escape Reality Edinburgh, we were refused to get a refund or reschedule.

“From previous visits to Escape Reality Edinburgh, I know that they are the same company since staff often recommend rooms in Glasgow/Edinburgh.”

Escape Reality said they entered insolvency and reassured staff they will be paid all outstanding wages.

Bosses also say customers have been refunded.

A spokesperson added: “We want to acknowledge that the past 12 months have been incredibly difficult for our team, customers, and partners. Like many businesses in the entertainment and hospitality sector, we have faced unprecedented challenges, and we deeply regret any distress caused to former employees or customers.

“We take our obligations to employees very seriously. Our pension contributions were made in line with requirements up until the final quarter of 2024 where, there was an issue with a payment link issue with our pension provider. This was raised to us, and this was addressed, albeit slower than we would have liked, as we were not expecting that. As of this week, all our pension liabilities have already been cleared.

“As you can imagine, the last two weeks have been incredibly difficult, and we have had to make extremely difficult decisions, hence some delays.

“We have no outstanding payments. We had been in ongoing discussions regarding the lease and did everything possible to avoid this outcome. Unfortunately, due to financial pressures, the closure became unavoidable. While we understand the frustration around communication, we had hoped to manage the situation in a way that minimised impact. We are not able to comment further on our position with Merchant Square, as this conversation is part of an important legal process.

“We fully appreciate the distress that comes with uncertainty over wages and whilst communication could be better to our staff, we are actively working through the necessary legal processes and remain committed to ensuring that all financial matters are handled appropriately within the framework of insolvency proceedings.

“Our priority is to support those affected in the best way we can. While we cannot change the circumstances that have led to these difficulties, we remain committed to ensuring all staff members come out of this fairly. And that’s why we initiated insolvency proceedings.

“We believe whilst the insolvency notes that were sent out to the staff were made in a timely manner, we acknowledge that it could have been written better.

“Every single staff member will be paid their wage, redundancy and statutory payments, and that is why we had to go through this process.”

VIEWERS of Four in a Bed were left horrified as one of the show’s properties which appeared to fall rather short of basic cleanliness standards.

The popular Channel 4 programme regularly features features B&B and camp site owners showcasing their properties to their rivals and then paying how they much they think it is worth to stay there.

Channel4

Channel4

Channel4

On Wednesday’s show, fans were given a peek into  Stuart and Amy Malone’s glamping site in Wales called Tin Can Retreat.  

Offering a unique approach to glamping, guests had to fork out a whopping £159 per night as well as an additional £20 on top to get a breakfast hamper in the morning.

Set in old buses and vintage trailers, owner Stuart explained of the unique site: “They range in age all the way up to 65 years old and they’ve been lovingly crafted inside with modern touches so you have all the comforts of home as well.”

But, for the guests, upon stepping foot inside the old vehicles which had been re-purposed, they were left in a state of shock at the filthiness.

Despite the owners insisting they valued cleaning, the guests found more than a few issues with the site.

Upon opening one of the fridge’s, it appeared to be awash with dirt and mould.

One guest remarked in horror: “Look at that, that’s really bad. That’s severe dirt, that’s bad.”

Others were quick to come across mould too with one guest floored to discover a pot full of dust and an array of dead flies by the window.

They quipped: ‘All I can see as I look here is mould. Look at that, this is minging.”

Others complained about “dog hairs” littering their lodgings whilst another fumed at being unimpressed by a windowsill “absolutely full of dirt and water”.

One man’s fingers was left blackened as he wiped his finger along the surface to see how dirty it was.

All three pairings refused to stay at the site again with the owners claiming they were “surprised” by some of the feedback from guests.

Fans watching along at home were equally left unimpressed with one writing: “Just caught up… that place was minging.

“I couldn’t have slept there it was so filthy and as for preparing & eating breakfast… no way. And I love Ceredigion. #fourinabed.”

Another added: “Todays place is absolutely grim. #fourinabed.”

A third then posted: “This place is definitely not clean is it.”

Before a fourth commented: “The buses needs more attention for sure definitely a work in progress.”

Channel4

IT feels like it’s been talked about for months but FINALLY Cheltenham is here!

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bet365: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets*

bet365 offer for new customers

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bet365: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets*

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*Offer valid for new Betgoodwin customers 18+. 50% of first day losses refunded as free bet. Max free bet per customer £25. Min. 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. Free bets non withdrawable. Free bets to be credited within 24 hours. Betgoodwin Terms and Conditions apply.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has asked Members of Parliament on the Minority side to own up to their roles played in the destruction of the Ghanaian economy. According to him, they contributed to the destruction the country is currently suffering from through their support of Ken Ofori Atta. He believes that the blame must not […]

The post You supported Ken Ofori Atta to mess the economy and your administration—Haruna Iddrisu to Minority MPs appeared first on MyNewsGh.

Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has expressed his disappointment over Ghana’s persistent development challenges, even as the nation marked its 68th Independence Day. Taking to his social media page on March 6, 2025, Manasseh wrote: “I’m not happy that at 68, we cannot clean our cities, keep lights on, have our taps flowing, and […]

The post I’m not happy that at 68, we cannot our keep lights on – Manasseh Azure appeared first on MyNewsGh.

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, has expressed worry over the lack of unity in Ghana after 68 years of independence. He is of the view that the country is in a sorry state because the love of party is put before the love for country. Chairman Coka was […]

The post 68 years but our love for political parties is greater than our love for Ghana – Coka appeared first on MyNewsGh.

The post Mathura: CM Yogi Adityanath Showers Flower Petals at Shri Radha Rani Temple – #Gallery appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Jamui, March 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) With Holi just around the corner, markets in Bihar are abuzz with preparations, and this year, there’s a growing demand for herbal gulal made from flowers and natural ingredients. In Jamui...

The post Bihar: Women in Jamui empowered through herbal ‘Gulal’ production as demand soars ahead of Holi appeared first on Social News XYZ.