A great honour to attend the raising of the Palestinian flag at the soon-to-be Palestinian Embassy in London, with my friend Ambassador Husam Zomlot. A defining moment in securing self-determination for Palestine and peace through a two-state solution.

Decisions about Scotland are best made in Scotland. If we want to safeguard our whisky industry, protect jobs and grow our economy, we need to speak for ourselves – not leave it to Westminster governments that won’t put us first. Independence is the fresh start we need. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The UK Government’s recognition of Palestine is a welcome step, and one that is long overdue. But words alone will not stop the genocide in Gaza. Sanctions, an end to arms sales, a ban on goods from settlements, and the suspension of the UK–Israel trade deal must follow.

To the children, students and families from Gaza arriving in Scotland for medical care: You are welcome here. Our communities will stand by you as neighbours and friends, and Scotland stands with the people of Palestine. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇵🇸

I have accepted Jamie Hepburn’s resignation from the Scottish Government as Minister for Parliamentary Business. I thank him for his many years of service across government, his support to me, and his tireless work on behalf of the people of Scotland.

Good to meet with climate campaigners outside Parliament yesterday. Climate action isn’t abstract - it means more jobs, cleaner and cheaper energy, and protecting our future. Scotland is already more than halfway to net zero and we are working to get there by 2045.

11 years ago, Scotland was inspired to think big. To imagine a better future, in our own hands. Today, the case for independence is stronger than ever. Independence is the fresh start Scotland needs - with lower bills, a fairer society, and our rightful place in Europe.

Pleased that the Scottish Parliament has supported our reforms to put the interests of victims even more at the heart of our criminal justice system. Credit to Justice Secretary, Angela Constance for the careful and thoughtful work on this.

Good news from the latest stats: unemployment is falling in Scotland, and remains below the UK. But Labour’s rise in employers’ national insurance still holds us back, making it harder for businesses to hire. It’s a tax on jobs and it must be reversed.

In the face of genocide in Gaza, silence and inaction are not an option. The latest UN report, coupled with the intensifying attacks by Israel on Gaza City, must be a wake up call for the UK government. The Israeli government must be held to account, including sanctions.

Without support, skilled jobs at Alexander Dennis in Falkirk would have been lost. Today I have announced our £4m furlough scheme for Alexander Dennis, meaning workers can stay in their jobs as orders pick up again. I said I would protect jobs and livelihoods - and I have done that today.

It was a pleasure to welcome the Scotch Whisky Association to Bute House this morning. Scotch Whisky is one of Scotland’s great global success stories – supporting jobs, communities and our economy. I’m working to secure the best possible tariff deal so the industry can keep thriving.

The murder of Charlie Kirk is another dreadful example of violence in our politics. We live and thrive by the democratic strength of respecting the views of others. There can never be a place for violence. My sympathy to his wife and family.

Throwing a brick through the window of a hotel housing asylum seekers in Falkirk is absolutely despicable. People who fled war and persecution deserve to live in safety, not fear. Words have consequences - it’s time for politicians who spread hate to reflect on that.

Just landed from the US after a round of productive meetings, including with President Trump, pushing for a better deal for our Scotch Whisky industry and standing up for Scotland. More on this at my press conference at 2:30pm.

The Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace is incredibly dangerous. It illustrates the threat to European security posed by Russia. The need to ensure the Russian attack on Ukraine - and the subsequent threat to Europe - is repelled is ever more important.

The Israeli attack in Qatar is without any justification. It is a further escalation and further damages the process for peace. Israel must be held to account for this action and this latest breach must bring an end to the horror in the Middle East.

An update on my visit to Washington DC to promote jobs and investment in Scotch Whisky 👇

Good morning from Washington DC. I am here with Scotch Whisky Association to try to get the best deal for the industry. It’s about jobs, investment and fighting for what’s best for Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇺🇸

On Labour’s watch, energy bills are up, living standards are stagnant, and Farage looks more and more likely to be the next UK Prime Minister. Scotland must have the right to choose a better future - a fresh start with independence. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

10 years since the Borders Railway reopened - longest in the UK for over a century. Cheaper travel with no more peak rail fares. New funding to electrify the Borders, Fife and suburban Glasgow routes - and to buy new, modern trains. That’s the SNP delivering for Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Good luck to our men’s football team as they take on Denmark in the World Cup qualifiers. The whole country stands behind you. No Scotland, no party! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This is why we scrapped peak rail fares in Scotland, for good. 👇

While Westminster is in chaos, your SNP Scottish Government is delivering progress. ✅ Cheaper rail fares ✅ More NHS operations ✅ More GPs and paramedics ✅ Funding to build 36,000 more affordable homes. ✅ Measures against the genocide in Gaza. And that’s just this week alone. Join us: snp.org/join

Westminster politicians believe they know what is best for Scotland. I believe it is all of us who live in Scotland who know what is best for Scotland - and we have the fundamental right to decide. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Instead of delivering support on the cost of living, Westminster is busy demonising people who seek sanctuary. I will have no part in it. Our Saltire is a flag of welcome - and refugees are welcome here in Scotland.

Scotland is a nation - and nations have the right to decide their future. Today I have launched and signed the Right to Decide declaration. Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland has the right to decide our future. Watch my speech from Edinburgh, live now. www.youtube.com/live/QphZNm0...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland’s future must be up to the people of Scotland. I will be saying more on this tomorrow at 9am.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇵🇸 I am proud that the Scottish Parliament has overwhelmingly voted for our motion to call for the recognition of the State of Palestine. Scotland stands proudly in solidarity with the people of Gaza in the face of genocide.

Let’s be clear - a genocide is unfolding in Gaza as a result of Israel’s actions. We all have a moral and legal responsibility to act, and Scotland will play its part. Today I have set out a range of diplomatic, economic and humanitarian measures. Read below for more. 🧵

Scotland’s vast energy resources should be in Scotland’s hands, so we can deliver lower bills for people and businesses.

🧵 People across Scotland are struggling - money is tight, bills are up, and hope can feel in short supply.

My job is to focus on your priorities, deliver real action on the cost of living, and offer hope for a better future.

Short thread on how we will do that. 👇

More good news in our NHS. ✅ Highest number of operations since the Covid pandemic. ✅ 91.8% of young people were seen within 18 weeks for CAMHS. ✅ 8 and 12 hour waits in A&E are down. Real progress, but plenty more to do. Thanks to our NHS staff for all your hard work.

What an incredible achievement by Jamie, Ewan & Lachlan Maclean! 139 days of unsupported, non-stop rowing across the Pacific, battling storms and breaking the world record - and all to help others get clean water. Scotland couldn’t be prouder. 💙 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

While bills rise and Westminster sits back, I am focusing on your priorities. We ended peak rail fares to make your commute cheaper - putting more money in your pocket. That’s the difference the SNP makes. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We have scrapped peak rail fares across Scotland, for good. It means cheaper, fairer fares - and more money in your pocket on your commute. ✅

Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three young people in a car crash near Arisaig. My thoughts are with their families, friends and the whole community at this heartbreaking time.

Congratulations to Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer on their election as Co-Leaders of the Scottish Greens. I look forward to co-operating with them in serving the people of Scotland.

The Westminster system made people poorer with austerity and Brexit - and now it’s trying to distract from those failures by scapegoating people who have been through unimaginable hardship.   It is pathetic, it is cowardly and I will have no part in it. #RefugeesWelcome

Russia’s attack on Kyiv is another brutal assault on innocent lives, and it must be firmly condemned. The people of Ukraine are not just fighting for their freedom, but for democracy and the freedoms we all hold dear. Scotland stands with Ukraine. 🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I want to live in a Scotland free from child poverty - and despite continuing Westminster cuts, we are making progress. It was great to open the Home Start Hub in Glasgow, who provide vital support services for families all under one roof.

I’m sick of Westminster politicians blaming migration for their failures. Immigrants are our NHS staff, our carers, our neighbours. We are a welcoming nation and I’m proud of that. It’s not migration that pushed down living standards - it’s Brexit, austerity and rising bills.

Energy bills are already too high - yet under Labour, they’re going up again. They promised lower bills, but today’s hike means bills are £187 higher since they took office. In energy-rich Scotland, this is indefensible. Only independence can deliver lower bills for good.

Every time living standards fall, Nigel Farage blames migration. And every time, Keir Starmer nods along. People are struggling with the cost of living and blaming migration won’t fix that. Scotland deserves better - a fairer, wealthier, welcoming future with independence.

We’re working hard to make it easier to see your GP. According to today’s stats, the number of whole time equivalent GPs increased by 4%. Our investment of extra £15 million will help recruit even more.

From next Monday, your rail commute will be cheaper. We’re scrapping peak rail fares in Scotland for good. Under the SNP, public ownership of rail means fairer prices – making travel cheaper, greener and easier for everyone.

Labour promised cheaper energy bills, but instead, they are £150 higher than this time last year. People will go into this winter struggling to heat their homes. In an energy-rich country, that is unacceptable. Westminster won’t fix this – but with independence, Scotland can.

Honoured to attend the ceremony in Edinburgh to mark Ukrainian Independence Day. Scotland proudly stands in solidarity with Ukraine, and always will. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦

Mon Scotland! 💙🏉 Good luck to our brilliant women’s rugby team as they kick off their World Cup opener. We’re with you every step of the way. #AsOne #RWC2025