NEW: 'I'm a bit surprised Ian Murray has been sacked. I don't think he deserved that' John Swinney says he'll work constructively with new Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander. But he suggests Ian Murray lost his job due to mistakes made by Keir Starmer

'You won't find me having a go at Anas Sarwar' New Reform MSP Graham Simpson, who defected from Tories, promises not to target Scottish Labour leader in election campaign. Reform UK previously ran an advert attacking Sarwar, which was denounced as 'blatantly racist'

NEW: Health secretary Neil Gray appears to downgrade Scottish Government promise that by March 2026 no one will have to wait more than a year for NHS treatment. He says March 2026 waiting times target is an 'aspiration'

NEW: A stark warning from Scotland's first Patient Safety Commissioner. Karen Titchener tells Kieran Andrews the NHS is 'understaffed' and 'in bed crisis'. She says A&E and waiting times are 'imploding'. Full story: www.itv.com/news/border/...

New Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer says he finds it 'very hard to imagine' his party doing a deal with Scottish Labour after #Holyrood2026. He accuses them of 'aping the latest Nigel Farage press release', but says there could be cooperation at 'local level'

'Should my constituents be training spaniels to scale scaffolding?' A Conservative MSP says people have been advised to use their dogs to deter seagulls from roofs. Rachael Hamilton also calls for a 'seagull summit' to be held in the Scottish Borders

EXC: Dumfries & Galloway Council leader Gail Macgregor says she's 'disappointed', having resigned just before a no confidence vote in her administration. The vote was called after 7 councillors quit her Conservative group. SNP will now govern as minority

EXC: Leader of Dumfries & Galloway Council steps down Conservative Gail Macgregor quit less than an hour before vote of no confidence, saying she was doing so with 'the heaviest of hearts' New administration - D&G’s *fourth* in three years - expected to be chosen at special meeting this afternoon

EXC: Conservative administration of Dumfries & Galloway Council faces no confidence vote on 16 June. Leader Gail MacGregor is 'disappointed' 7 Tories defected & would 'love to continue' as leader. SNP hope to take control

NEW: Not becoming a national park may cost Galloway millions of pounds of investment, the Rural Affairs Secretary has admitted. Mairi Gougeon won't tell @kieranandrews.bsky.social whether Scot Gov will invest in the region instead. She says they've 'not had those conversations'

BREAKING: The Scottish Government has dropped plans for a Galloway National Park. It was one of the key commitments when the SNP formed a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. @gregoryhoare.bsky.social explains how we got to this point 👇

EXC: Conservative council leader launches rap song 🎤 It's called 'Little Man' & is by Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine. He says he wants to break stereotypes: 'I’m five foot one, I used to play basketball, I used to run, why can’t I rap?'

UK Gov could cut electricity bills by up to 30% by removing renewable subsidies, Climate Change Committee member Keith Bell says. But the Professor adds that the move would lead to either higher gas bills or taxes

The Conservatives should NOT aim for a deal with Reform UK, Alister Jack says. Former Scottish Secretary believes John Swinney and the SNP are 'secretly' trying to boost Reform's profile, to split the unionist vote. STORY: www.itv.com/news/border/...

NEW: The Conservatives were wrong to get rid of Boris Johnson, Alister Jack says. The former Scottish Secretary - a key political ally and friend of the former PM - says Johnson would have had a chance of winning the 2024 election. STORY: www.itv.com/news/border/...

EXC: Alister Jack says Nicola Sturgeon & John Swinney should offer 'proper public apology' to women who challenged Scot Gov gender reforms in court. In first interview since stepping down as MP, former Scottish Secretary says @forwomenscotland.bsky.social were 'demonised'. www.itv.com/news/border

More than 300,000 UK households, including tens of thousands in Scotland, could lose heating and hot water from the end of June. RTS electricity meters are being switched off - and people who may be affected are being urged to contact their energy provider. Story: www.itv.com/news/border/...

'I am disappointed in the UK government's performance so far' - General Secretary of STUC @scottishtuc.bsky.social Roz Foyer (@rozfoyer.bsky.social) tells Kieran Andrews (@kieranandrews.bsky.social) Labour is in danger of lurching 'to the right'. Full interview: www.itv.com/news/border/...

NEW: Motion to remove Maggie Chapman from equalities committee fails - after SNP MSPs back her. Conservative Tess White accused Chapman of 'dangerous and incendiary' attack 'on the rule of law'. Chapman said she didn't question Supreme Court's right to make trans ruling, but disagreed with it

NEW: First Minister reacts to judge's order that all Scottish schools must provide single-sex toilets. John Swinney says his government is 'considering' the decision, but doesn't say how many schools could have to make changes. Story: itv.com/news/border

Calling Reform UK far right is a 'lazy slur', according to party's Deputy Chair in Scotland. David Kirkwood says he's happy with term 'populist', because it 'means we're doing what people want'. Reform UK hasn't been invited to Scottish Government's anti-far right summit, taking place today

NEW: John Swinney says any trade deal allowing US imports which are 'not high enough quality' would have 'huge and damaging implications' for Scotland. The First Minister says it's right for Keir Starmer to negotiate over tariffs, but 'you can't just sign up to anything'

EXC: Scotland’s fire and rescue service is in the grip of a bullying 'crisis'. 'This didn't just affect my job, it impacted on who I was as a person', a former staff member tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Full story: www.itv.com/news/border/...

NEW: Anas Sarwar acknowledges economic growth and poverty in the UK are 'not where we want them to be'. But the Scottish Labour leader defends the Chancellor's Spring Statement. He says both UK and Scottish Governments need to do more. www.itv.com/news/border/...

NEW: Shona Robison says Scot Gov will 'do absolutely everything within our power' to avoid cutting disability benefits in Scotland. But the Finance Secretary accepts Chancellor's spending cuts will cost them 'hundreds of millions' - leading to difficult choices.

'There is concern amongst Labour members and MPs' John McTernan, former Political Secretary to Tony Blair, warns benefit cuts could impact Labour's 'brand'. Last week the UK Government set out welfare changes aimed at saving £5 billion. www.itv.com/news/border/...

Alba leadership candidates Ash Regan and Kenny MacAskill clash over who Alex Salmond would want to succeed him. MSP Regan says the former FM asked her to stand to replace MacAskill as his deputy. Interim leader says Salmond's family support him because he 'had Alex's back'

Lord Kim Darroch: US remains a reliable ally 'for the time being'. The former British Ambassador to the United States says he's not a fan of the term 'special relationship'. But he says bond between UK and US is 'unique'

NEW: Scotland's Finance Secretary is to quit Holyrood at the 2026 election. Shona Robison (@shonarobison.bsky.social) tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social it was an 'incredibly difficult decision' not to stand for re-election. She was part of the original intake of MSPs in 1999

'We have to hope that the United States remains our ally' The Scottish Government's External Affairs Secretary @angusrobertson.bsky.social tells Kieran Andrews 'even saying that out loud remains a concern' Full interview on tonight's programme: www.itv.com/news/border/...

'I don't think President Trump should come to Scotland at all. He's not welcome here' Lorna Slater says Donald Trump should not get a second state visit to the UK. The @scottishgreens.org co-leader says he 'can't be trusted' because of the suspension of military aid to Ukraine

'I believe we will win the election next year' Anas Sarwar (@anassarwar.bsky.social) says he's not a gambler, but if he was he'd bet on Scottish Labour to win 2026 Holyrood election. Full interview on tonight's Scottish Labour conference programme: www.itv.com/news/border/...

EU should offer UK 'bespoke relationship' because of its 'size and importance', Leo Varadkar tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Former Taoiseach says there should be closer trade agreement. But not realistic to expect UK to rejoin single market & customs union #Brexit www.itv.com/news/border/...

NEW: Leo Varadkar warns 'we don't have an America that shares the same values as us'. The former Irish Taoiseach calls for the EU and UK to 'strengthen' their relationship in light of Donald Trump's presidency. Exclusive interview: www.itv.com/news/border/...

'The public are entitled to have the full disclosure by US and British intelligence' Ex-justice secretary Kenny MacAskill calls for release of documents about Lockerbie bombing but says investigation was carried out correctly. SNP MSP Christine Grahame wants a public inquiry

Scottish Secretary insists UK Gov decision not to compensate WASPI women was the 'right' one. @ianmurraymp.bsky.social tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social he 'fully understands' WASPIs are 'angry and frustrated' but does not address Scottish Labour leader @anassarwar.bsky.social's calls for a rethink

Whisky tariffs could be 'catastrophic' - Finance Secretary Shona Robison says Scottish Government is 'concerned' but 'optimistic' President Trump won't implement trade barriers.

Scottish Conservative leader: 'Elon Musk's interventions in UK politics are ill-judged and more entertaining than enlightening' Russell Findlay says the tech billionaire shouldn't 'meddle', but the Scottish Government needs someone like him to cut waste

NEW: Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay says he 'personally would not use' Robert Jenrick's language about migrants. Mr Jenrick, UK shadow Justice Secretary, had referred to 'alien cultures' with 'medieval attitudes towards women', in the context of grooming gangs

NEW: Oliver Mundell explains why he won't stand for re-election in the 2026 Holyrood election. The Scottish Conservative MSP suggests he'd be confident of winning, but it's time to 'try something new' itv.com/news/border

'I can see the shadowy face of populism in front of me right now' John Swinney hits back at Russell Findlay, after the Scottish Conservative leader calls him 'Scotland's populist First Minister' #FMQs

Anas Sarwar: 'I'm in it to win it' @anassarwar.bsky.social tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social he believes Scottish Labour will win the 2026 Holyrood election, despite polls suggesting dwindling support. But he won't say whether he'll quit if he fails to become First Minister

NEW: 'I think the speed and intent of Government is the issue' Anas Sarwar (@anassarwar.bsky.social) insists the Scottish Government could mitigate the two-child benefit cap by this April, rather than next year. He tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social the UK DWP could administer payments if needed

Analysis for @representingborder.bsky.social @itvnewspolitics.bsky.social Scottish budget showcases campaigning beginning on 2026 Holyrood election www.itv.com/news/border/...

I could say you should watch my first @representingborder.bsky.social programme for the first @johnswinney.bsky.social interview of the year or for brilliant @graemeroy.bsky.social analysis But let’s be honest it’s to see @gregoryhoare.bsky.social do a handstand press up www.itv.com/news/border/...

Donald Trump mentioned his Scottish business interests in last month's phone call with John Swinney, the First Minister reveals. Mr Swinney says they did not discuss 'specifics' about tariffs, but did talk about the 'significance' of Scotland's whisky industry

What is John Swinney's New Year's resolution? The First Minister tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social he will be running more, to support Doddie Aid. The challenge aims to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was set up by Doddie Weir to improve the lives of people with MND