Alex Salmond demands resignations at the top of the SNP

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We've got a busy day of news ahead for you as the investigation into the handling of harassment complaints against Alex Salmond heats up and Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce Scotland's routemap out of lockdown.

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Alex Salmond demands resignations

Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has demanded those involved in the botched handling of harassment complaints against him resign amid accusations those at the top of the SNP and the Scottish Government were engaged in a “deliberate, prolonged, malicious and concerted effort” to expel him from public life.

In his final submission to the Salmond inquiry, the former first minister directly accused named members of the SNP and other members of Nicola Sturgeon’s staff of attempting to “recruit and persuade” individuals to submit police complaints against him.

Read the full story and Mr Salmond's final submission here.

Nicola Sturgeon under fire after ditching four nations lockdown summit for daily briefing

The daily briefings have become a fact of life for those of us in the newsroom. It's been a focus point of every weekday for months for our journalist, but the briefings themself remain controversial.

Now Nicola Sturgeon has come under fire after it emerged she left a four nations discussion over lockdown easing early to speak at the televised daily coronavirus briefing at Holyrood.

Opposition parties hit out at the decision, branding the briefing “a TV appearance” and criticising the First Minister for prioritising the briefing over “working constructively with other governments”.

Do you agree with the FM's opponents or think she made the right call? Let us know in the comments section.

Scottish Government investigating after healthy people under 40 offered Covid-19 vaccine

Are you under 40 and have received the vaccine?

The Scottish Government has launched an investigation after a number of people under 40 with no underlying health condition were offered Covid-19 vaccination appointments for no obvious reason.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said those who believe they have been given an appointment in error should contact the national vaccine helpline to ask for advice.

Read the full story here

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Sam Shedden, [email protected]